Object in different positions in the frame (1.1 b)

Requirement

4 photographs

Purpose

To show how to place the subject in the frame and the impact which this choice has on the message and impact of the image.

Technical learning

• Every shot requires a decision where to place the subject in the frame
• Why not just site it in the centre every time?
• The subject will certainly be conspicuous. Nevertheless, bull's eye composition makes an arbitrary choice of background: by definition, it will surround the subject equally.
• Sometimes this may work, more often not, unless you want to produce only single point of interest, static, predictable images.
• Placement is an active choice: it should serve the message and the impact which you want the image to have
• This becomes increasingly important as the subject becomes smaller in the frame and, as a result, composing the elements within image becomes more complex

Exercise instructions

Pick a clearly defined subject against a plain background. Take 4 images with the subject in different positions. Shot 1 - compose quickly and naturally, a reference for others. Shot 2 - subject dead centre. Shot 3 - slightly off-centre. Shot 4 – near an edge or corner.

Images and Review
I found this point on the screen fencing a building site for a new office block in Holborn, London. Usually these screens are single colour painted board. However, this one was intended to catch the eye.

Centre point

Off centre - intersection on Rule of Thirds

At the edge

• The subject - a point - is sufficiently large and has enough contrast with its background to dominate the image
• The centre point sits balanced in the image, free of any tension
• The off center point creates more interest but still sits comfortably in the frame (because it lies on an intersection of vertical and horizontal lines under the Rule of Thirds, the relationships to edges and corners are proportionate)
• The 3rd image places the point at the edge, physically as well as mentally.  A tense unbalanced image.

Further learning - the single point

• The point is the most basic element of design
• Depending on its position in the image, a point has a number of relationships both with the edges and corners of the frame
• Equal relationships with each create harmony, sometimes dull predictability
• On the other hand, unequal ones create tension for the eyes roughly in line with the level of inequality