Friday, November 22, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Elements of Photography
Emphasis:
Emphasis is a principle of art which occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. In other words, the artist makes part of the work stand out, in order to draw the viewer's eye there first. The picture of the football represents emphasis because the artist blurred everything else around it so that the viewer's eye would go to the football first.
The Horizontal lines are usually interesting and provide a stability and rest to your image and subject involved. It is more of a defined permanency and consistency to your photographs, they often serve as a dividing line creating an anchor to the subject or object within. This picture represents horizontal lines because the mini waves show stability. It also draws interest to the viewer's eye by the way the clock reflecting on the water is distorted.
Repeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image tends to unify the total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm. Repetition can take the form of an exact duplication (pattern), a near duplication, or duplication with variety. This picture represents repetition because it shows consistency of the shape of the slices of lime. It also shows the consistency of repeating the color of the slices of lime.
A bird's-eye view is an image gained when the position of the observer is significantly higher than that of the subject. Looking down upon a subject can be achieved in a number of ways and may serve several different purposes. For filmmakers and photographers, bird's-eye views are a way to add interest to a shot or relate important information about the subject. This picture represents bird's eye view because the photographer took the picture looking down at the giraffe from a higher point then the height of the giraffe itself. The picture also gives the viewer a feel of how tall a giraffe is.
Prominent vertical lines are the most powerful lines in visual art. We may associate them with a feeling of strength, height, integrity, solidity, dominance and power such as when viewing a tree, skyscraper, flagpole or anything else standing tall and sturdy.
Solid vertical lines are attention-getters and can be used to create tension, to act as direct guides and paths, and to act as dividers and natural frames. Being the powerful composition elements they are a certain degree of care should be taken when dealing with prominent vertical lines. This picture represents vertical lines because it makes the viewer feel uneasy. It brings tension by making the viewer feel like they are behind bars.
Texture is used to describe either the way a three-dimensional work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel" of a two-dimensional work. This picture represents texture because the viewer can see how the leaf would feel if they were actually holding it.
Symmetrical balance, or formal balance, occurs when all of the objects in the photograph are placed on either side of a specific point essentially mirroring its own shape.This represents symmetrical balance because if it was cut in half both halves would look close to or the exact same.
Unity occurs when all of the elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole. Unity is another of those hard-to-describe art terms but, when it's present, your eye and brain are pleased to see it. This represents unity because the trunk and branches of the trees show harmony and make the photograph appear balanced and whole.
This guideline is utilized by aligning a subject with the guide lines of a tic-tac-toe layout and the intersection points. You place the horizon on the top or bottom line, and/or allow linear features in the image flow from section to section. This represents rule of thirds because the daffodil is located on the bottom right intersection point. This causes the viewer's eyes to go straight to the daffodil.
They draw the attention of viewer very quickly, its so attractive yes the Diagonal Lines. They usually work by creating point of interest within the frame plus lines of intersection within them to the photographer’s advantage creating stunning perspectives. There is a sense of dynamics to the image as if something is always moving, this illusion is the advantage of diagonal lines. Many studies have revealed that people often emphasis an image by stating the subject travels from frame left to right, hence working to its favour can create some memorable pictures for you. This represents diagonal lines because it allows the viewer's eyes to move to the focal point, which in this photo are the people walking.
Variety is often obtained through the use of diversity and change by artists who wish to increase the visual interest of their work. An artwork which makes use of many different hues, values, lines, textures, and shapes would reflect the artist's desire for variety. This represents variety because it sparks the viewer's interest with the diversity of the colors on the pedals.
There are several ways to achieve simplicity in a photograph. The most obvious (and easiest) form is to place the subject against a neutral background like a backdrop or the sky. Backgrounds can be entirely neutral, like a solid backdrop or a cloudless sky; or they can complement the image, like a starfish on the sand. The more technical method of achieving simplicity involves focusing on the subject while ensuring the background is unfocused. Macro settings on digital cameras tend to do this automatically, as they have a narrow depth of field to begin with; the same effect can be achieved with manual adjustment. The picture taken to represent simplicity should have a clear reason for why that object was chosen. It should be clearly evident that that's the reason for taking the picture. All unrelated topics shouldn't be present. This represents simplicity because the photographer blurred out everything else around it to draw the viewer's eyes straight to the flower. The color of the background also helps to clearly lead the focus to the white flower.
The second type, informal balance or so called asymmetrical balance is when one or more dissimilar elements are balancing on each side of a given point. Informal balance is less obvious because the subjects are not uniform. A well made image using informal balance is more appealing to the viewer compared to a symmetrical composed image. This represents asymmetrical balance because the trees on each side of the bridge help balance the picture out and make it appealing to the viewer's eye.
Rhythm is a movement in which some elements recurs regularly. Like a dance it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music. Movement is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the artwork, often to a focal area. It can be directed along lines, edges, shapes and color. Movement is closely tied to rhythm. This represents movement because it makes the viewer's eyes follow the path of the stairs, which are gradually spiraling to the end of the stairwell, or the focal point. It represents rhythm because of the recurrence of each step, which makes this huge stairwell.
Leading lines are used to draw the viewer’s eye through a photograph. They are intentional or unintentional, natural lines created in the space of the photograph and are used to create a visual narrative in the composition. Leading lines are also used to draw your eye to a focal point in the shot that you would like to highlight. This represents leading lines because the vertical lines of the rows of flowers lead the viewer's eyes to the focal point, which is the windmill. It also gives the photograph a dramatic and colorful effect to draw the viewer's eye to the windmill.
Proportion/Size:
Proportion is the relationship of two or more elements in a design and how they compare with one another. Proportion is said to be harmonious when a correct or desirable relationship exists between the elements with respect to size, color, quantity, degree, or setting. Good proportion adds harmony, symmetry, or balance among the parts of a design. This represents proportion because the size of the figures of the elderly couple are small in relation to the cigarette. Because the figures of the elderly couple being smaller than the cigarette it helps create harmonious and balanced picture.
The horizon line is a line drawn across a picture. It is essential for a picture to have a horizon line if a person wishes to communicate from what perspective a person is observing the picture (from above an object, below an object…etc). It is not necessary to include the horizon line in the picture. However, it is important to include a ‘virtual’ horizon line in order to make a picture follow correct perspective. The horizon line is always one’s eye level. If one draws a line perpendicular to the ground outwardly from one’s eye level, this is what is considered the horizon line. This picture represents horizon line because the water of the ocean meets the sky. Also the color of the ocean water helps complement and emphasize the blue sky.
A view from below or from an inferior position. This represents worm's eye view because it makes the flowers look tall and makes the viewer feel inferior.
In visual arts including cinematography, framing is a technique used to focus the viewer's attention upon the subject. Framing can make an image more aesthetically pleasing and keep the viewer's focus on the framed object(s). It can also be used as a repoussoir, to direct attention back into the scene. It can add depth to an image, and can add interest to the picture when the frame is thematically related to the object being framed. The frame of an image is determined by many factors, including: depth of field - the range of focus within the image, white space - the empty space surrounding the subject, color and lighting, and crop. Framing often refers to the placement of the subject in relation to other objects in the image. A very popular framing technique is vignetting which is a reduction of an image's brightness or saturation at the periphery compared to the image center. This picture represents framing because the sides of the canyon or cave make it seem like it is framing the three mountain tops. This makes the viewer's attention go to the three mountain tops and not travel out of the picture. The sides of the canyon or gave also help the viewer's eyes move in a circular motion to allow them to capture everything that is in the photograph.
Curved lines may add beauty and grace to an image. They are also used as a popular design technique for leading the eye into the frame. In contrast to straight or patterned lines, meandering curved lines allow the eye to explore an image in a smooth, free-flowing manner. This picture represents curved lines because it allows the viewer's eyes to slowly make their way to the focal point, which in this photograph is the man sitting the chair.
Emphasis is a principle of art which occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. In other words, the artist makes part of the work stand out, in order to draw the viewer's eye there first. The picture of the football represents emphasis because the artist blurred everything else around it so that the viewer's eye would go to the football first.
Horizontal Lines:
The Horizontal lines are usually interesting and provide a stability and rest to your image and subject involved. It is more of a defined permanency and consistency to your photographs, they often serve as a dividing line creating an anchor to the subject or object within. This picture represents horizontal lines because the mini waves show stability. It also draws interest to the viewer's eye by the way the clock reflecting on the water is distorted.
Repetition:
Repeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image tends to unify the total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm. Repetition can take the form of an exact duplication (pattern), a near duplication, or duplication with variety. This picture represents repetition because it shows consistency of the shape of the slices of lime. It also shows the consistency of repeating the color of the slices of lime.
Bird's Eye View:
A bird's-eye view is an image gained when the position of the observer is significantly higher than that of the subject. Looking down upon a subject can be achieved in a number of ways and may serve several different purposes. For filmmakers and photographers, bird's-eye views are a way to add interest to a shot or relate important information about the subject. This picture represents bird's eye view because the photographer took the picture looking down at the giraffe from a higher point then the height of the giraffe itself. The picture also gives the viewer a feel of how tall a giraffe is.
Vertical Lines:
Prominent vertical lines are the most powerful lines in visual art. We may associate them with a feeling of strength, height, integrity, solidity, dominance and power such as when viewing a tree, skyscraper, flagpole or anything else standing tall and sturdy.
Solid vertical lines are attention-getters and can be used to create tension, to act as direct guides and paths, and to act as dividers and natural frames. Being the powerful composition elements they are a certain degree of care should be taken when dealing with prominent vertical lines. This picture represents vertical lines because it makes the viewer feel uneasy. It brings tension by making the viewer feel like they are behind bars.
Texture:
Texture is used to describe either the way a three-dimensional work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel" of a two-dimensional work. This picture represents texture because the viewer can see how the leaf would feel if they were actually holding it.
Symmetrical Balance:
Unity:
Unity occurs when all of the elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole. Unity is another of those hard-to-describe art terms but, when it's present, your eye and brain are pleased to see it. This represents unity because the trunk and branches of the trees show harmony and make the photograph appear balanced and whole.
Rule Of Thirds:
Diagonal Lines:
They draw the attention of viewer very quickly, its so attractive yes the Diagonal Lines. They usually work by creating point of interest within the frame plus lines of intersection within them to the photographer’s advantage creating stunning perspectives. There is a sense of dynamics to the image as if something is always moving, this illusion is the advantage of diagonal lines. Many studies have revealed that people often emphasis an image by stating the subject travels from frame left to right, hence working to its favour can create some memorable pictures for you. This represents diagonal lines because it allows the viewer's eyes to move to the focal point, which in this photo are the people walking.
Variety:
Variety is often obtained through the use of diversity and change by artists who wish to increase the visual interest of their work. An artwork which makes use of many different hues, values, lines, textures, and shapes would reflect the artist's desire for variety. This represents variety because it sparks the viewer's interest with the diversity of the colors on the pedals.
Simplicity:
There are several ways to achieve simplicity in a photograph. The most obvious (and easiest) form is to place the subject against a neutral background like a backdrop or the sky. Backgrounds can be entirely neutral, like a solid backdrop or a cloudless sky; or they can complement the image, like a starfish on the sand. The more technical method of achieving simplicity involves focusing on the subject while ensuring the background is unfocused. Macro settings on digital cameras tend to do this automatically, as they have a narrow depth of field to begin with; the same effect can be achieved with manual adjustment. The picture taken to represent simplicity should have a clear reason for why that object was chosen. It should be clearly evident that that's the reason for taking the picture. All unrelated topics shouldn't be present. This represents simplicity because the photographer blurred out everything else around it to draw the viewer's eyes straight to the flower. The color of the background also helps to clearly lead the focus to the white flower.
Asymmetrical Balance:
The second type, informal balance or so called asymmetrical balance is when one or more dissimilar elements are balancing on each side of a given point. Informal balance is less obvious because the subjects are not uniform. A well made image using informal balance is more appealing to the viewer compared to a symmetrical composed image. This represents asymmetrical balance because the trees on each side of the bridge help balance the picture out and make it appealing to the viewer's eye.
Movement/Rhythm:
Leading Lines:
Proportion/Size:
Proportion is the relationship of two or more elements in a design and how they compare with one another. Proportion is said to be harmonious when a correct or desirable relationship exists between the elements with respect to size, color, quantity, degree, or setting. Good proportion adds harmony, symmetry, or balance among the parts of a design. This represents proportion because the size of the figures of the elderly couple are small in relation to the cigarette. Because the figures of the elderly couple being smaller than the cigarette it helps create harmonious and balanced picture.
Horizon Line:
The horizon line is a line drawn across a picture. It is essential for a picture to have a horizon line if a person wishes to communicate from what perspective a person is observing the picture (from above an object, below an object…etc). It is not necessary to include the horizon line in the picture. However, it is important to include a ‘virtual’ horizon line in order to make a picture follow correct perspective. The horizon line is always one’s eye level. If one draws a line perpendicular to the ground outwardly from one’s eye level, this is what is considered the horizon line. This picture represents horizon line because the water of the ocean meets the sky. Also the color of the ocean water helps complement and emphasize the blue sky.
Worm's Eye View:
A view from below or from an inferior position. This represents worm's eye view because it makes the flowers look tall and makes the viewer feel inferior.
Framing:
In visual arts including cinematography, framing is a technique used to focus the viewer's attention upon the subject. Framing can make an image more aesthetically pleasing and keep the viewer's focus on the framed object(s). It can also be used as a repoussoir, to direct attention back into the scene. It can add depth to an image, and can add interest to the picture when the frame is thematically related to the object being framed. The frame of an image is determined by many factors, including: depth of field - the range of focus within the image, white space - the empty space surrounding the subject, color and lighting, and crop. Framing often refers to the placement of the subject in relation to other objects in the image. A very popular framing technique is vignetting which is a reduction of an image's brightness or saturation at the periphery compared to the image center. This picture represents framing because the sides of the canyon or cave make it seem like it is framing the three mountain tops. This makes the viewer's attention go to the three mountain tops and not travel out of the picture. The sides of the canyon or gave also help the viewer's eyes move in a circular motion to allow them to capture everything that is in the photograph.
Curved Lines:
Curved lines may add beauty and grace to an image. They are also used as a popular design technique for leading the eye into the frame. In contrast to straight or patterned lines, meandering curved lines allow the eye to explore an image in a smooth, free-flowing manner. This picture represents curved lines because it allows the viewer's eyes to slowly make their way to the focal point, which in this photograph is the man sitting the chair.
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