Friday, December 19 :: Click Link for assignment >
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Balance indicates the even distribution of visual elements within a photograph. This makes sense when the human brain naturally appreciates compositional harmony.
This design principle of photography shares the same meanings as those in the music field. Similar to how notes are distributed on a musical staff, photographers strive to arrange subjects within a confined space to maintain their coherence and individuality.
Pattern refers to the intentional organization to evoke specific emotions in viewers. You make a pattern whenever you create a role element and repeat it. Thus, your design achieves unity to convey a common thought.
Even if multiple elements are present in the frame, it is still best to establish a focal point. It stands out thanks to its strategic location, size, color, and other distinguishing features. Think of a portrait where the subject appears sharp and clear while the background is blurred with a beautiful bokeh effect – an example of emphasis.
Contrast occurs when at least two opposing elements appear in the same frame. It adds depth, visual intrigue, and a narrative quality to a photograph. Photographers have added multiple pairings to their toolbox of contrasts, such as light-dark, warm-cool, big-small, and more.
Also known as harmony, unity represents the feeling of everything in your photograph fitting together seamlessly. Whether you’re using contrast, balance, or any other principle, the key is to ensure these elements work together as a whole.
This term refers to the representation of a subject in motion within a photograph. It is closely tied to the direction in which the human eye naturally scans an image. Technically, motion represents the relationship between the moving subjects and the camera’s shutter speed.
Balance
Photo by Stephen Crane
Rhythm
Photo by Sergey Kotenev
Pattern
Photo by Kim Chan
Emphasis
Photo by Artem Kniaz
Contrast
Photo by Wyxina Tresse
Unity
Photo by Jaspinder Singh
Movement
Photo by Dibakar Roy
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN in Photography
LINES
Lines shape and form everything around us. In photography, this factor contributes to directing the audience’s attention and conveying the photographer’s emotions or insights.
SHAPE
Shapes are formed when at least two lines converge. In photography, shapes serve multiple purposes, including framing objects based on a specific hierarchy and adding depth through lighting or silhouette techniques.
PATTERN
Symmetry and repetition make interesting photographic subjects. And when you start looking, you’ll see a surprising amount of patterns around you in the natural and built environment.
FORM
Simply put, form represents the dimensional shape of objects, adding depth to the picture and creating a strong sense of realism and authenticity. Though photography captures the world in a two-dimensional plane, advanced techniques, especially lighting, can create lively shots.
TEXTURE
Texture is all about the way things feel – rough, smooth, soft, bumpy. However, it is quite difficult to fully capture textures in the 2D world. Fortunately, lighting techniques can give you a hand. By playing with light and shadow, photographers can create the illusion of texture and make surfaces appear alive.
SPACE
Space in photography plays a vital role in shaping the perception of depth. It represents the relative distance between objects and the overall perspective portrayed.
In the world of art, there are two types of space: negative and positive. Negative space refers to the area occupied by the focal point within the composition, while positive space indicates the background that surrounds and interacts with the primary element.
COLOR
This term covers saturation, brightness, and hue, which are used to distinguish between objects and colors. It is divided into warm and cool tones, each evoking a distinct mood and vibe.
Even if you shoot in black and white, the absence of color still holds a huge impact. These monochromatic images possess a timeless quality and often leave a lasting impression.
The Formal Elements of Photography
4:53