Composition Articles

• Background
• Depth of Field
• Foreground
• Head Room
• Nose Room
• Rule of Thirds

• Protecting Kids' Identities
  January, 2010
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  There's no problem videotaping your own children or those that you personally know, but what if you have a need to shoot children on a playground or in a…
• Making The Best Video Possible From A Cell Phone Video Recorder
  January, 2010
  by Marshal M. Rosenthal
  Since cell phone video recorders shoot at fairly low resolutions, it's important to try and remove potential problems before can occur during the shooting.
• Don't be Square about Framing
  October, 2009
  by Michael Reff
  For an image to be exciting, it has to move! Right? Things need to be constantly changing and adjusting. Pictures flying in and out, angles adjusting and…
• Basic Training: Seeing the Rule of Thirds
  March, 2009
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Some photographers and videographers have a Natural Eye that composes shots and scenes all around them, even when they aren't holding a camera. You know you…
• The Divine Proportion Balancing the Golden Rule
  July, 2008
  by James Williams
  Nature created it; visual artists follow it. Using aesthetically-pleasing framing creatively draws your viewer into your shot composition.
• Tutorial - Getting That Film Look
  July, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  Shooting video to look like film
• Multicam Shooting
  July, 2007
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Whether it's shooting a wedding, baseball game, church service or two-person interview, shooting it with more than one camera can be a time-saving and very…
• Basic Training: Composition 102: Part 2
  October, 2006
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, but a great photo is due to well-executed and thought-out composition. Take your seats, it's time for the…
• Basic Training: Composition 101: Part 1
  September, 2006
  by Kyle Cassidy
  What makes great art great? Composition. In this first of two parts, we'll reveal some of the secret tricks of composition that the Masters use
• Picture This
  August, 2006
  by Michael Fitzer
  A basic understanding of the rules of composition will help you frame for maximum impact and ultimately enhance the outcome of your finished piece.
• Directing: Dual-Role Directing
  June, 2006
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Multitasking when you are directing is not easy but sometimes necessary. Here are a few suggestions.
• Basic Training: Lenses - The Long and Short
  November, 2005
  by Jim Stinson
  Wide-angle and telephoto lenses render images differently from the way we naturally see things. Skilled videographers can exploit these differences to create…
• Basic Training: Shoot to Show or to Edit
  September, 2005
  by Randy Hansen
  "Shoot to Show" and "Shoot to Edit" are two different styles requiring different methods of planning. No one knows these techniques better than a run-and-gun…
• Basic Training: Winning with Composition
  June, 2005
  by Kyle Cassidy
  When one shot flows into another seemingly seamlessly, you've got the makings of good shot composition.
• Basic Training: What were you THINKING?!
  May, 2005
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  Have you ever wanted to wrestle a camcorder away from Uncle Buck while at a
• Home Video Hints: How to Use Available Light
  September, 2004
  by Garret C. Maynard
  Available light can be all you need if you patiently think through your options and wisely exploit the location.
• Home Video Hints: Thinking Like an Editor
  August, 2004
  by Garret C. Maynard
  In order to call yourself a professional videographer you need equipment, clients and a good reputation.
• Shooting from the Hip: A Case Study
  September, 2003
  by Bill Mauger*
  In the jungles of Indonesia, you don't have the same level of control that you have in the studio, but the shot is still the same.
• Home Video Hints: Make Your Move
  June, 2003
  by Michael Hammond
  Put the
• Home Video Hints: Composing Your Shots
  April, 2003
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Shooting great looking video can be as simple as solving a few problems with composition.
• Framing Good Shots
  February, 2003
  by Brian Pogue
  Composition is one of the most fun and accessible aspects of videography.
• Home Video Hints: The Three C's of Shooting to Edit
  November, 2002
  by Jim Stinson
  While shooting video, consider the edit that lies ahead. Keep coverage, continuity and cutability in mind.
• All About Camera Angles
  November, 2002
  by Jim Stinson
  Choosing the right point of view for each camcorder setup can be a mysterious process when you're new to the game.
• Jargon: Glossary of Video Production Terms
  October, 2002
  by Charles Fulton
  Glossary of Video Production Terms
• Home Video Hints: Camera Sinners, Repent!
  September, 2002
  by Jim Stinson
  An in-depth look at seven suspect shots you should avoid when shooting your footage.
• Home Video Hints: Composition the Easy Way
  July, 2002
  by Jim Stinson
  Good composition requires more than just a high-quality camcorder and some nice scenery. There are rules.
• Basic Training: The Rules of the Grid
  January, 2008
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Knowing the technical workings of your camera is half the battle of shooting a good video. Understanding good composition can really give your work some pizazz.
• In Box
  August, 2007
  by the Editors
  Readers' letters
• Depth of Field Demystified
  October, 2006
  by Tony Bruno
  How to manipulate the viewer into watching one portion of your movie, while other events continue along in the scene.
• Basic Training: 11 Steps to Add Some Spice to Your Video
  February, 2005
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Give some pizzazz to your videos with a few simple techniques.