Composition Techniques

 Composition Techniques

The Golden Ratio

The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion or Fibonacci spiral, is a geometric pattern that forms a spiral shape as shown above. It is a curve that tightens inwards at a ratio of 1.618:1 every 90 degrees, a visual representation of the Fibonacci sequence.

This pattern is aesthetically pleasing to the viewer so an application of it in film making is to place the shape over the frame. This gives a guideline to creating a visually pleasing shot which can be achieved by placing the subject of the shot in the centre of the spiral.

The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is effectively a simplified version of the golden ratio where the frame is split into thirds horizontally and vertically. It has the same purpose, serving as a guideline for positioning subjects in the frame. Placing the subject along one of the lines or at the intersections of lines makes the shot more aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. When filming a person, they are often positioned so that their eyes are close to one of the upper intersections of the lines, as shown in the example above.

Looking Space

Looking space is a gap between the subject and the edge of the frame, where the subject is facing. This gap gives space for the subject to direct their actions into, such as speaking or moving. If there is not enough looking space, the shot can feel claustrophobic and unpleasant. 

The correct amount of looking space coincides with the rule of thirds, where the subject is placed so that 2 thirds of the frame are infront of them, and 1 third behind them as shown above.

Head Room

Head room refers to the gap between the top of the subject's head and the upper edge of the frame. Head room serves a similar purpose to looking space, where the shot will appear tight and uncomfortable if there is not enough, and strangely empty if there is too much.

The rule of thirds also coincides with this rule for medium to close-up shots, where positioning the subject's eyes along the upper third line will give sufficient head room.

Leading Lines

Leading lines are used in film making to direct the viewer's gaze towards the focus of the frame. You use line shapes, such as fences, roads or rivers, to draw the viewer's attention to the subject. This works because the eye naturally follows lines in an image or shot to see where they go.

Symmetry

Symmetry in a shot gives the viewer a sense of balance and is aesthetically pleasing. The subject is often placed along the line of symmetry, which highlights the frame's focus on the subject.

Frame within a Frame

Frame within a frame is when the main subject of the shot is framed by another scene, creating multiple frames in a single shot. This can be done infront, like in the above image, or behind the subject. This adds depth and layers to the shot, giving more for the viewer to look at and making the shot more interesting. Framing the subject with something else infront also helps to isolate the subject, highlighting it from it's surroundings.