Space
space refers to the area within the composition of a photograph, and it plays a crucial role in the overall balance, emphasis, and mood of the image. There are two main types of space in photography:
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Positive Space: This is the space occupied by the main subject or elements within the image. It’s where the visual focus is placed.
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Negative Space: This is the empty or unoccupied space around the subject. It can enhance the main subject by providing a sense of balance, minimalism, or isolation, and often helps to emphasize the subject by contrast.
Perspective
Perspective photography looks at two areas. The definitions are:
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The spatial relationship between objects within an image. Perspective makes a two-dimensional photograph feel like a three-dimensional scene. It’s also the reason why many compositional techniques work. From leading lines and balanced weight to shallow depths of field.
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Our point of view. Or the placement of the film/sensor plane in relation to the subject.
Vanishing Point
A vanishing point is a point on the image plane of a perspective rendering where the two-dimensional perspective projections of mutually parallel lines in three-dimensional space appear to converge.
1. One-point perspective: Single-point perspective is the simplest form of linear perspective and can easily be used in a linear perspective drawing by artists with even the most rudimentary drawing skills. Simply put, in a single-point perspective drawing, the parallel horizontal and vertical lines seem to converge at a single vanishing point towards the center.
2. Two-point perspective: In two-point perspective, an image is divided into two sides with both the left and right having their own respective vanishing points. Straight lines will bend towards whichever vanishing point is on the side that they originate from.
3. Three-point perspective: In a three-point perspective drawing or photograph, straight lines converge at three different vanishing points usually placed by the artist at the edges of whatever two-dimensional surface on which their image is composed.
Size difference
To achieve the best results from your photography, size matters. Using the correct image size can make sure your photos appear in a shape that best fits the subject.
4 x 6 inches.
This is perhaps the most common photo size in print. This size of photo fits perfectly into a 3:2 aspect ratio. If you take a photo using this ratio, you shouldn’t have to crop out any of the image to make it fit. This size is ideal for framed photos, greetings cards and postcards.
You’ll need the pixel length to be 1200 x 1800 pixels for the image to print with the best quality.
5 x 7 inches.
This slightly larger image is often used for framed photos and greetings cards. To get the best results for a photo of this size, try to use a 3.5:2.5 ratio on your camera.
You’ll only need to crop a small amount of your photo to ensure that it fits this size. For a perfect fit and quality when printing, make sure your photo is 1500 x 2100 pixels.
8 x 10 inches.
If you want more impactful images, this slightly larger size is a good choice. To get the most from this image size, try to use an aspect ratio of 5:4 on your camera.
You’ll need to crop the long side of your photo, so make sure there’s nothing important at the bottom or top. If you’re resizing an image, make sure it’s 2400 x 3000 pixels to fit this printed size.
8.5 x 11 inches.
This image size might be more appropriate for a poster or a large print to frame. To get the best results for a photo of this size, use an aspect ratio of 4:3. To achieve a print of this size, resize your image to 3400 x 4400 pixels.
12 x 18 inches.
To get the most from a print of this larger size, make sure the image you’re printing is large enough. A pixel size of 3600 x 5400 pixels and an aspect ratio of 3:2 should give you the best results.
18 x 24 inches.
For a much larger print size like this, you’ll need your image to be 5400 x 7200 pixels. When you’re taking the photo, use an aspect ratio of 3:4.
24 x 36 inches.
For an extra-large print, use a digital image size of 7200 x 10800 pixels for the best quality. Use an aspect ratio of 3:2 when you’re creating a photo of this size.
Common aspect ratio sizes.
1:1 aspect ratio.
Using a 1:1 aspect ratio means you’re shooting a square image, as both sides are the same width and height. It’s commonly used for things like social media profile photos.
3:2 aspect ratio.
Another common aspect ratio is 3:2, which is used across much of film and digital photography. This is the aspect ratio of original 35 mm film, which is why it’s so commonly used.
4:3 aspect ratio.
4:3 is the aspect ratio that some computer monitors, TVs and digital cameras use. This is the perfect aspect ratio to shoot photos or film in if you’re creating photos that will fill a screen.
16:9 aspect ratio.
A 16:9 ratio is more common on most computer monitors and modern wide-screen TVs. This is a slightly longer width than a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Movement(Object, Camera)
Static shot
A static shot has no camera movement at all. It is achieved by locking a camera to a fixed-position typically with a tripod. The stability of a static shot makes it non-distracting. This makes it one of the best camera movements for shot-reverse-shot dialogue, precise composition, or showcasing an actors’ performance.
Pan
The camera pan directs a camera horizontally left or right. The pan camera movement is typically achieved with a tripod head, but can also be done handheld or with a stabilizer.
Tilt
Camera tilts are just like pans, only vertical. Tilt camera movements direct a camera upward or downward. Camera tilts can be used to give a character dominance in a shot or to reveal new information to the audience. Tilts enable filmmakers to capture the verticality of a film in moments of awe and spectacle.
Push In
A push-in moves the camera closer to a subject typically with a dolly camera movement or Steadicam. Push-ins can draw the audience's attention toward a specific detail. Filmmakers also push-in toward characters to try and infer what is occurring internally. This can be a reaction, thought process, or internal conflict.
Pull Out
Zoom
Although zooms are technically not a camera movement they do create movement within the image. Zooms change the focal length of a camera lens to either zoom in (magnify) or zoom out (de-magnify) the size of a subject in the frame.
Dolly Zoom
One of the more heavy-handed camera movements is the dolly zoom. A dolly zoom is achieved by dollying the camera away from or toward a subject while simultaneously zooming in the other direction. Dolly zooms are an incredibly intentional camera movement because they have such a specific effect.
Roll
Tracking Shot
A tracking shot is any shot that physically moves the camera through the scene for an extended amount of time. Tracking camera movement often follows a traveling subject, though they can be used to simply show off the scene.
Arc Shot
The arc shot orbits the camera around a subject in an arc pattern. Arc shots are typically used to add energy to a shot in which characters have minimal actions. Christopher Nolan uses the arc shot in The Dark Knight to add to the menacing energy of the Joker.
To move the camera vertically upward or downward, filmmakers turn to the boom shot. Boom shots are achieved by using boom crane camera movements, pedestal camera movement, and jibs. They can be small boom movements typically used for reveals and characters. Other times, filmmakers use large boom movements to show off the setting of a scene.