ADVERTISEMENT

Master cinematographers approach every frame as an opportunity to convey the feel of the scene. And one of the things that really helps them to achieve it is composition—the way elements (actors, scenery, props, etc) are placed on screen in respect to each other and within the frame itself has a huge impact on our viewing experience.

To show the brilliance behind a frame's layout, Raymond Thi of Composition Cam analyzes visually stunning films, adding simple, bold lines to demonstrate triangles, quadrants, and other geometric shapes that please our eyes.

As you will see, some pictures use the grid method to create balanced frames while others focus on a central character instead. Many of these films feature relatively simple compositions too, proving that a few elements can make a lasting impact. If you know how to use them.

More info: Twitter | Instagram

Film director and cinematographer (a combo that makes her a rare breed), Elena Rossini, appreciates Thi's work, putting the spotlight on frame composition. "Whenever people discuss the work of great directors, they often fail to mention the art of cinematography," she told Bored Panda. "But for me, it is truly essential and is what separates good from masterful directors. After all, film is a visual art."

Rossini's favorite filmmakers are also those who put a lot of effort into composition. "Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, and Céline Sciamma [are probably at the top of this list]. 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' was a masterpiece in my opinion, with every shot carefully composed as if it were a painting.

For her, the most successful compositions are those that help the storytelling, creating a sense of awe and wonder (Sciamma, Kubrick) or make you relate to a character (Anderson).

You May Also Like:
#2

The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Space Odyssey

The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Space Odyssey

comp_cam Report

#3

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jodie Foster was on the Graham Norton show and she talked about how she and Anthony Hopkins never talked to each other until the shoot was done because they were both so afraid of the other.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

"My favorite composition technique is the one-point perspective," Rossini said. "It's Stanley Kubrick's signature shot (I talked about it in my blog), where all the lines in the composition harmoniously converge to a point in the distance. It is no coincidence that Kubrick's shots are so beautifully crafted, as he started working as a photographer and then made the transition to cinema."

Since the filmmaker also admires Wes Anderson, Rossini loves his high-angle POV shots "as they put you in the shoes of the characters, creating an added sense of intimacy."

If you would like to try these composition techniques for yourself, Thi has created an app that applies these lines to your iOS device.

#4

Stranger Things

Stranger Things

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sori
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are taught in art school, compositions like these are many to keep the viewers eyes interested and moving to see all the details.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Star Wars: Episode Iv - A New Hope (1977)

Star Wars: Episode Iv - A New Hope (1977)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Oh look! Someone drew lines along the perfectly natural lines of the perspective in this shot. No, I don't get what the big deal is here.

#6

From 'Sherlock'

From 'Sherlock'

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Marlowe Fitzpatrik
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, on the 8th pic (second from below), the focal point is the picture on the wall, not the ground.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Isle Of Dogs

Isle Of Dogs

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m not a huge animation fan, but I liked this so much, that I was quite interested in a second viewing.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Yojimbo (1961)

Yojimbo (1961)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
grey galah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this reminds me so much of the Renaissance grid for perspective

View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)⠀

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)⠀

comp_cam Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#17

The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014)⠀⠀

The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014)⠀⠀

comp_cam Report

#18

Reservoir Dogs (1992)⠀

Reservoir Dogs (1992)⠀

comp_cam Report

#19

The King's Speech (2010)⠀

The King's Speech (2010)⠀

comp_cam Report

#20

Birdman (2014)

Birdman (2014)

comp_cam Report

#21

Rule Of Thirds In Star Wars (Original Trilogy)

Rule Of Thirds In Star Wars (Original Trilogy)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#23

Drive

Drive

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#24

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Easily Excitable Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen this movie a dozen times, and I never realized how perfectly framed that shot is before! I need to keep my eyes open for this.

#25

Game Of Thrones (TV Series)

Game Of Thrones (TV Series)

comp_cam Report

#26

Black Swan (2010)

Black Swan (2010)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#27

A Clockwork Orange (1971)⠀

A Clockwork Orange (1971)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Marlowe Fitzpatrik
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um... Am I missing things? Maybe I just don't understand this thing because it's pretty obvious to me that the group is the center of perspective??? !!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Full Metal Jacket

Full Metal Jacket

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Luther von Wolfen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm learning from all this that there are about five things that filmmakers do over and over and over.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

The Neon Demon

The Neon Demon

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#30

Okja (2017)⠀

Okja (2017)⠀

comp_cam Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

The Truman Show (1998)⠀

The Truman Show (1998)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#32

Requiem For A Dream

Requiem For A Dream

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#33

Are You Ready For Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

Are You Ready For Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#34

The Revenant (2015)⠀

The Revenant (2015)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#35

“The Wizard Of Oz” (1939)⠀

“The Wizard Of Oz” (1939)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#36

Thor (2011)⠀

Thor (2011)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#37

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#38

"The Matrix" (1999)⠀

"The Matrix" (1999)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#39

Valhalla Rising

Valhalla Rising

comp_cam Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#40

La La Land (2016)⠀

La La Land (2016)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#41

Dunkirk (2017)⠀

Dunkirk (2017)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#42

Skyfall (2012)

Skyfall (2012)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#43

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)⠀

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#45

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#46

"The Shining" (1980)

"The Shining" (1980)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#47

The Handmaid’s Tale (S01e01)⠀

The Handmaid’s Tale (S01e01)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#48

Sense8

Sense8

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#49

"Days Of Heaven" (1978)⠀

"Days Of Heaven" (1978)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#50

The Tree Of Life (2011)

The Tree Of Life (2011)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#51

Legion (TV Series)

Legion (TV Series)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
SeidWolf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

one of the most underrated rated shows. fantastic cinematography, color & lighting, innovative storytelling. like most things of quality and intelligence, undervalued.

#52

Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#53

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#54

Bronson

Bronson

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#55

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)⠀

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#56

Only God Forgives

Only God Forgives

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#57

Ghostbusters (1984)⠀

Ghostbusters (1984)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#58

American Beauty (1999)⠀

American Beauty (1999)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#59

Game Of Thrones (S07e04)⠀

Game Of Thrones (S07e04)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#60

Suspiria (1977)⠀

Suspiria (1977)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#61

There Will Be Blood (2007)⠀⠀

There Will Be Blood (2007)⠀⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#62

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#63

The Fifth Element (1997)

The Fifth Element (1997)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#64

Doctor Who (TV Series)

Doctor Who (TV Series)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#65

"Road To Perdition" (2002)⠀

"Road To Perdition" (2002)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#66

"Doctor Strange" (2016)

"Doctor Strange" (2016)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

Mr. Robot (TV Series)⠀

Mr. Robot (TV Series)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#68

The Office (S03e05)

The Office (S03e05)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#69

2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#70

The Godfather

The Godfather

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#71

"Jaws" (1975)⠀

"Jaws" (1975)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#72

The Shape Of Water (2017)

The Shape Of Water (2017)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#73

Daredevil (S02e09)

Daredevil (S02e09)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#74

Whiplash (2014)⠀

Whiplash (2014)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#75

Wonder Woman (2017)⠀

Wonder Woman (2017)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

The Great Gatsby (2013)⠀

The Great Gatsby (2013)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's not right in the middle though... This bothers me

#77

Black Mirror (TV Series) S03e04

Black Mirror (TV Series) S03e04

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#78

It Follows (2014)⠀

It Follows (2014)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#79

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#80

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)⠀⠀

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)⠀⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#81

Stalker (1979)

Stalker (1979)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#82

Whiplash (2014)⠀

Whiplash (2014)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#83

Into The Wild (2007)⠀

Into The Wild (2007)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#84

Breaking Bad" (TV Series)

Breaking Bad" (TV Series)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#85

Full Metal Jacket (1987)⠀⠀

Full Metal Jacket (1987)⠀⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#86

The Prestige (2006)

The Prestige (2006)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#87

American Psycho (2000)

American Psycho (2000)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#88

House Of Cards

House Of Cards

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#89

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)⠀

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#90

Inglourious Basterds (2009)⠀

Inglourious Basterds (2009)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#91

"Amélie" (2001)⠀

"Amélie" (2001)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#92

"Mad Men" (S05e13)⠀⠀

"Mad Men" (S05e13)⠀⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#93

The World's End (2013)⠀

The World's End (2013)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#94

Sherlock (S01e03)⠀

Sherlock (S01e03)⠀

Sherlock (S01E03) Report

Add photo comments
POST
#95

Better Call Saul (S03e07)⠀

Better Call Saul (S03e07)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#96

"The Danish Girl" (2015)⠀

"The Danish Girl" (2015)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#97

Master Of None

Master Of None

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#98

One Hour Photo (2002)⠀

One Hour Photo (2002)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#99

“The Hidden Fortress” (1958)⠀

“The Hidden Fortress” (1958)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#100

"La La Land" (2016)⠀

"La La Land" (2016)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#101

"Scarface" (1983)⠀⠀

"Scarface" (1983)⠀⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#102

300 (2006)

300 (2006)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#103

"Better Call Saul" (TV Series) Episode 1.03

"Better Call Saul" (TV Series) Episode 1.03

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#104

"Punch-Drunk Love" (2002)⠀

"Punch-Drunk Love" (2002)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#105

Atonement (2007)⠀

Atonement (2007)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#106

"True Detective" (TV Series) Episode 1.02⠀

"True Detective" (TV Series) Episode 1.02⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#107

"Metropolis" (1927)

"Metropolis" (1927)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#108

"Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" (2010)

"Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" (2010)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#109

The Fall

The Fall

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#110

Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#111

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#112

"The Fall" (2006)

"The Fall" (2006)

comp_cam Report

#113

The Florida Project

The Florida Project

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#114

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#115

"Trainspotting" (1996)

"Trainspotting" (1996)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#116

Breaking Bad" (S02e09)⠀

Breaking Bad" (S02e09)⠀

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#117

Sherlock

Sherlock

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
#118

Parasite (2019)

Parasite (2019)

comp_cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT