Compose Your Frame

I took this photograph just outside of Casper, Wyoming at Sunset. I felt that this scene contained several of the rules of still composition.

Rule of Thirds

When taking this photo, I followed the rule of thirds by placing the horizon line on the the bottom third. There is also a dead tree that stands out because it is on the intersecting lines in the lower left corner of the grid. This shows the vertical aspect of this composition as well. The eye is also drawn to that same intersection due to the setting sun. By using the rule of thirds in this landscape photograph, it creates a sense of harmony and balance in the composition.

The Diagonal Rule

The linear element of the mountain climbing up to the sky is a perfect example of the diagonal rule. When looking at the image the eye is drawn from the lower left corner up the ridge to the top of the mountain in a vertical line. This makes this image more interesting, and is pleasing to the eye.

Vectors

The vertical lines in the rock give a strong sense of direction, as well as the angle of the mountain itself. There is also a strong sense of direction from the trees. The eye is first drawn up the mountain towards the sky, then more upward motion is given off from the direction of the trees. Possibly giving the feeling of always moving towards the top.

 

Index Vectors 

Just outside of Evanston, Wyoming there were several hundreds of acres of that had these wind turbines. I thought they were a perfect example of Index vectors. The points on the turbines suggest directions at many different angles. This also uses the rule of thirds, placing the center point of the turbine on the intersection of the top left of the grid. The design of this horizontal-axis wind turbine  (HAWT) has a vertical shaft that is on the third line. This leads the eye up through the frame to the center point and then pushed outward through the blades creating motion and energy.