Elements and Principles

PHOTOGRAPHY AS ART

Photography is more than combining cameras, lenses, and film; it is about using those tools in combination with the elements and principles of design to create visual art.  Understanding how to use the elements and principles will turn your “snap shots” into photographic works of art.  Define the following terms.

Elements of Design

Line: ·      Leading o   Lines within an image that lead the eye to another point in or out of the image. ·      Vertical o   Communicate a feeling of loftiness and spirituality. Seem to extend upwards beyond human reach. ·      Horizontal o   Suggests a feeling of rest or repose. ·      Diagonal o   Suggest a feeling of movement or direction. Objects are either about to fall or are already in motion. ·      Curved o   Deep, acute curves suggest confusion, turbulence, etc. Softer curves suggest comfort and safety.

http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/element.htm use this website to figure out what each type of line represents.

Principles of Design

Balance: ·      Symmetrical: The image is equal or almost equal on both sides. ·      Asymmetrical: The image is different of both sides.

Unity: Taking the parts of a piece of art and putting them together to make something better as a whole.

Variety: Using different things that have something in common to create unity.

Movement / Rhythm: Creating a pattern that leads the viewer’s eye all around the piece.

Emphasis: Making a part stand out to draw the viewer’s eye there.

Proportion / Scale: Using the size of an object to give it more or less importance.

Repetition / Pattern: Having similar objects more that once in a specific order.

Making Choices

Point of View: ·      bird’s eye: Look down from above an object. ·      worm’s eye: Look up from below an object.

Rule of Thirds: Splitting and image into 9 parts to identify points of importance.

Framing: Using other objects to draw attention to the main subject.

Simplicity: Giving the main subject the most visual attention by keeping the rest of the photo relatively neutral.