Frame Composition

This is a photograph that I took on the Oregon coast. It exemplifies a good composition especially relating to the rule of thirds, or the "golden mean". The horizon line of the ocean lies on a third line, and the largest rock on the right lands perfectly on a thirds (tic-tac-toe grid) intersection.

The waves seen follow a suggested diagonal line, which pertains to the diagonal rule and allows for a more dynamic feeling.

Considering vectors, this photograph most closely relates to a motion vector. A lot of the rocks in the photo hug the edge of the frame and many even run off the photo, which according to our studies "amplifies the psychological context", and in addition to the mid-rolling of the waves, creates a sense of motion in the photograph that pulls the viewer's eye around the scene.

Just for fun, here is another example of a compositionally accomplished photo. The horizon line lies on a thirds line, where the edge of the water meets the landscape, and the person meets very closely with a thirds intersection.

The wake-wave represents a very strong diagonal line leading from the edge of the photo to the person riding the wakeboard.

I think all vectors could be applied to this frame, but two main vectors catch my attention in this photograph: a graphic vector illustrated in the bold diagonal line created by the wake leading the eye in the direction towards the person on the wakeboard, and an index vector shown by the direction in which the person's face is pointing, suggesting a path in which perhaps we might want to look and be curious to see.