Artist. Historian. Teacher-in-Training.

A refugee of the Emo-Fringe Era, I live in a state of Midwest Gothic. Generally affable, neutral good. Also a walking history textbook. I could be a good artist if I didn't draw all this anime shit.

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I like conversation.

These are the so-called "rules" of composition as my old photography teacher told me. A good photographer has to be a master of composition, and those same skills can apply to ANY other areas of visual art (which is why I suggest people have some 101 experience in other mediums, even if they don't stick with it). I thought it might be helpful to some people out there to go through these, even if this is just a refresher to something you already know. The last rule is probably the most important though!

[Composition is the way you arrange your subject on a picture plane.]

1) Select a single dominant subject of interest.

2) Place center of interest away from center of picture.

3) Keep the horizon level and place according to the Rule of Thirds.

4) Keep vertical lines parallel to edge of frame.

5) Select a contrasting background so that important parts of your subject don't merge with the background.

6) Fill the frame.

7) Do most of your cropping when you take the picture.

8) Crop or remove extraneous subjects.

9) Don't amputate parts of you main subject in awkward places.

10) Avoid distracting shapes at edges.

11) Have subject facing center or moving into frame.

12) Frame the principle subject with complimentary foreground object.

13) Attract the viewer's attention with leading lines such as converging diagonals or an "s" curve that directs the eye of the composition.

14) Employ strong diagonal lines to imply action or conflict.

15) Compose in a vertical format to emphasize height or dignity, or possible movement. Horizontal formats suggest peace and stability.

16) Remember these "rules", but violate them freely to create a more memorable or stronger image!!

So go out there and make some art! But if you make art exactly like you're teacher or mentor or whatever please remember that last rule - break the rules!
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If you have any questions ask them down below and presumably someone will answer them eventually.