This paper reviews the established principles of composition of visual images, discussing the application of those principles to moving visual images in general and television pictures in particular. Fundamental compositional principles of the visual communication media are explored in relation to television as an art form--namely, direction, proportion, balance, space, shape and form, level of sophistication, light and color, time and motion, tension, expression, and point of view. It is suggested that all of these areas should be considered equally important in the creation of an artistic television image. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/BEW)