Melies

Cinematic Composition Techniques

Cinematic composition is the path the eye is forced to walk. Describe the frame as a diagram: who owns space, what is blocked, whether edges are clean or dirty.

Rule of Thirds is a default, not a law. Central Framing and Symmetry put a figure on the axis. Leading Lines and Vanishing Point pull the eye through architecture. Negative Space and Short Siding are about usable air, not empty taste. Dirty Frame chews the edges; Clean Frame refuses accidents. Power comes from blocking, not from a slogan about low angles.

See also Framing and Shot Size Camera Angles Lenses and Optics

Rule of ThirdsRule of ThirdsGolden RatioGolden RatioCentral FramingCentral FramingCentered CompositionSymmetrySymmetryAsymmetryAsymmetryLeading LinesLeading LinesFrame within FrameNegative SpaceForeground InterestForeground InterestLayered DepthDiagonal CompositionDiagonal CompositionTriangular CompositionTriangular CompositionHeadroomHeadroomLead RoomLead RoomShort SidingShort SidingVisual WeightVisual WeightRepetition and PatternRepetition and PatternFigure-GroundFigure-GroundTonal ContrastTonal ContrastOne-Point PerspectiveVanishing PointVanishing PointDirty FrameClean FrameClean FrameLook SpaceLook SpaceArchitextureArchitextureReflectionsReflectionsScreen in ScreenScreen in ScreenTableauTableauVoidVoidVoyeurWindowsWindows