Compositional Guidelines (Not Rules)

There are no unbreakable rules when it comes to how you should compose your photographs After all, who likes rules except for your old school principal or heads of H.R. departments? There are however, several guidelines you can use to help improve the composition of your photos. In this tutorial, I’ve listed 20 of these guidelines along with examples of each. I’ve started with the most basic ones and finished with some of the more advanced composition techniques.

First of all we have to define what is meant by ‘composition’. Composition refers to the way the various elements in a scene are arranged within the frame. As I’ve already mentioned, these are not hard and fast rules but guidelines. That said, many of them have been used in art for thousands of years and they really do help achieve more attractive compositions. I find that I usually have one or more of these guidelines in the back of my mind as I’m setting up a shot.

Read the article here.

Paid Summer Internship @ Cleveland Print Room

This summer internship allows the intern to create video content for the Cleveland Print Room website that documents 35mm film processing (developing & printing), along with alternative photographic processes which will be posted on the internet to inform the public of photography processes that are offered as classes. These videos will be used by the organization for informational, marketing and promotional purposes. The intern will gain experience by providing instructional videos that will be used on digital platforms and social media. S/he will have the opportunity to write content related to the media postings. Additionally the intern will get an overview of what it is like to work within a non-profit start-up and practice everyday workflow and management strategies with the CPR team.

Skills: The intern is a talented videographer with experience shooting and editing video content. Experience with digital and analog photography is a plus. Intern will work with Operations Manager, who is a skilled photographer in creating the photographic content for the videos. Intern will work with the Executive Director, whose background in Marketing and Promotions to release content digitally. The intern will shadow staff so that s/he will experience the inner workings and everyday functions of the organization.

Projects Include:
– Create video content for the Cleveland Print Room to use in marketing materials
– Evaluate what digital and video content the Cleveland Print Room needs
– Film, edit, and prepare footage throughout the course of the summer

You can also earn CSU Internship credit. Contact Professor Mark Slankard, or the Jessica in the Dept. of Art & Design office to register if you’re accepted.

This position pays $12/hr, 28 hours a week for 9 weeks. In addition, you will receive a $580 stipend for completing the Arts Intern component of the program. To learn more, and to apply visit the Studio Institute website.