# Composition — Image Generation

> How subjects are arranged in frame. Critical for cinematic feel.

## Core composition rules

### Rule of Thirds
Divide frame into 3x3 grid. Place subjects on intersections, not center.
- Eyes typically on upper third line
- Horizons on upper or lower third (not middle)

### Leading Lines
Use lines (roads, walls, light beams) to direct eye to subject.

### Framing within frame
Use doorways, windows, foreground objects to frame subject.

### Negative Space
Empty space around subject creates isolation, mood, scale.

### Symmetry vs Asymmetry
- Symmetry: formal, eerie, controlled (Wes Anderson, Kubrick)
- Asymmetry: dynamic, natural, tension

### Depth Layering
Foreground + Midground + Background creates 3D feel.

## Headroom & Lookroom

- **Headroom**: space above head (not too much, not cropping)
- **Lookroom/Noseroom**: space in direction subject is looking
- **Leadroom**: space ahead of moving subject

## Camera angles

### Eye-level
Neutral, default. Audience equal to subject.

### Low angle (looking up)
Subject powerful, dominant, heroic, threatening.

### High angle (looking down)
Subject vulnerable, small, weak, submissive.

### Bird's eye / Top-down (90° from above)
Detached, godlike, scale, geometry emphasis.

### Dutch angle (tilted)
Tension, unease, drunk, off-balance, psychological disturbance.

### Worm's eye (extreme low)
Heroic monumental, towering subject.

## Framing types (recap from cinematography)

- ECU, CU, MS, MWS, WS, EWS, OTS, POV, 2-shot

## Aspect ratio composition tips

### 16:9 (landscape standard)
- Horizontal balance
- Subjects positioned thirds-based
- Headroom and lookroom standard

### 9:16 (vertical for mobile)
- Subject vertically centered or upper-third
- Leave bottom for UI overlays (caption, music)
- Avoid crucial detail at very top/bottom

### 1:1 (square)
- Subject centered
- Strong negative space
- Symmetry-friendly

### 2.39:1 (cinemascope)
- Wide horizontal real estate
- Negative space possible
- Anamorphic feel

## Composition phrases for prompts

- "Subject offset to right-third with empty leadroom on left"
- "Symmetrical composition, subject centered"
- "Low angle from below, subject dominates frame"
- "Foreground bokeh frames midground subject"
- "Dutch tilt 15° clockwise creates tension"
- "Negative space above subject emphasizes isolation"

## DON'T

- Don't say "well-composed" without specifying how
- Don't center every subject by default
- Don't crop subjects awkwardly (mid-knee, mid-forehead)
- Don't ignore where subject is looking
