European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 1, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Visual emphasis shifts As the horizon line is raised or lowered in these shots of Venice left and Munich. A  clockwise from top the Square dancing photo uses the Rule of thirds to Lead the viewer s Eye to the dancer s face. A touch of humor a a makes a common scene More interesting. Special equipment helps make time exposures that show the details inside a dark Cave. Continued from Page 5 techniques that Are Quick and useful. One useful tool is the Rule of thirds. Using imaginary lines Divide the Frame of your visualized picture into thirds both horizontally and vertically. If the primary subject of a photo is placed at one of the four Points where these lines Cross the result will usually be pleasant asymmetrical composition. Old masters employed this technique in paintings and drawings. The same technique can be successfully applied to vertical horizontal or Square photos. Another tool is to be aware of the horizon line in a photo. Keep it level and Don t let it Divide your picture into two equal parts. When the horizon divides the photo in half the viewer is confused by the equal emphasis on the top and Bottom of the photo. Either put the horizon line toward the top of the photo or completely out of the photo to emphasize the subject in the foreground or put it very Low in the photo to emphasize the size of the sky or the subject in relation to the sky As in a Castle keep silhouetted against Beautiful Clouds from a Low Angle. Keep your main subject Well within the Frame of the photo and eliminate any extraneous or irrelevant Materia if possible. If something s not important to the Story crop it out. The old speaker s guideline of kiss a keep it simple stupid a applies to visual communication As Well. _ _. A with video photography keep the composition of the flow of action consistent. If you show the car driving out of the right Side of the Frame in Frankfurt have it entering the Frame from the left in Munich. Action that keeps changing direction from shot to shot is confusing a unless of course that s the impression you re trying to convey to the viewer. A a it s a Good idea to look through Good visually oriented magazines and study examples of effective composition. Magazines such As National geographic or life provide excellent studies in photo composition. Using these hints techniques and a sharpened Eye you should be Able to stir up a Little Quot magic elixir of your own Bon voyage. \ ii Iii