Anybody who has snapped a photograph or painted a picture has used composition in that picture even if they didn't realize it at the time.A major part of artistic composition is how the viewers see the the art and how they interpret the images they are seeing.
Director Jim Jarmusch is very accomplished in his ability to to frame a shot and in the composition of the images he presents to his audience.The picture directly below is from the movie Down By Law and is an example of the framing device known as deep space composition.The viewer can look down the street and it seems as if the road or main street stretches a long way.
The picture below is from the Jim Jarmusch film Mystery Train and is an example of symmetrical balance.The actress on the left and the actor on the right are symmetrically placed in the photo and in relation to the landscape in the background.We can see and feel what the the actors are feeling as they pull in to Memphis on the train.
The picture to the left is from the Jarmusch film Stranger in Paradise.It exemplifies the rule of thirds: left, center,right concept of the framing device.
The picture to the left is from the movie Limits of Control and it is an example of lead room in a framing device.The camera pans away from the actor as he walks down the road leading him to where he is headed.
The picture to the left is another example of deep space in a framing device.I have included this because it is a key element of the movie Mystery Train.This corner is the center where the Arcade Hotel is located as well as the Arcade Restaurant and is central to what takes place in the movie and I just really like this shot.The street looks like it goes on a long distance.
The photo to the left is from Stranger than paradise and is an example of the rule of thirds:foreground ,middle ground,background .The landscape in the background and the actors placement in the middle and in the foreground is a terrific shot .
The photograph below is from the movie Dead Man and exemplifies the framing device known as compositional stress.You can look right into his eyes and imagine what he is feeling.
The photograph to the left is from the movie Stranger in Paradise and is an example of the rule of thirds : top ,center .bottom.
Although the story and plot in a lot of Jim Jarmusch movies leaves something to be desired in my opinion ,this independent filmmaker is quite accomplished in his framing and composition that he presents to viewers.
