Elements and Principles

Elements of Design:

   Leading Lines

Leading lines refers to a composition technique whereby the viewer's eye is attracted to lines that lead directly to the principle subject in the image.   

      Vertical Lines

Vertical lines have a very important place in photography and art in the way that we perceive a photo, this perception encompasses a wide range of things, such as perception of growth, uplifting, something spiritual, dominance, power, performance and stability

Horizontal Lines

Horizontal lines they often act as a dividing point in a photograph – in effect an anchor 

that the rest of the image is formed around.

Diagonal Lines

 Diagonal lines are extremely effective at leading the eye to a certain point in the photo. When you intersect a diagonal line, or point it in the direction of a particular object, the tension created draws the eye towards this point.

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.

Principles of Design:

                                              Balance
Balance is a compositional technique in photography that juxtaposes images within a frame so that the objects are of equal visual weight. When different parts of a photo command your attention equally, perfect balance is achieved.

-Symmetrical-

The shot is framed so that one or more identical or similar subjects are repeated symmetrically on each sides of a given point.

-Asymmetrical- 

In symmetrical balance, if an imaginary line is drawn through the center of the work, both sides are exactly the same, and balanced in that way. In asymmetrical balance, the two sides are not identical, but differ from one another. However, the elements are arranged so that there is a sense of balance.

Unity

A principle of art, 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.

Variety

A principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast. Variety is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a work of art.

Movement / Rhythm

A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements

 in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

Emphasis

A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements.

Proportion / Scale

A principle of design that refers to the relationship of certain elements to the whole and to each other.

Repetition / Pattern

Repetition refers to one object or shape repeated; pattern is a combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement; rhythm--is a combination of elements repeated, but with variations.

Point of View

A point of view shot (also known as POV shot, first-person shot or a subjective camera) is a short film scene that shows what a character (the subject) is looking at (represented through the camera).The technique of POV is one of the foundations of film editing.

-Bird’s eye-

A bird's-eye view is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird, often used in the making of blueprints, floor plans, and maps. It can be an aerial photograph, but also a drawing.

-Worm’s eye-

A worm's-eye view is a view of an object from below, as though the observer were a worm; the opposite of a bird's-eye view. It can be used to look up to something to make an object look tall, strong, and mighty while the viewer feels child-like or powerless.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is one of the main “rules” in art and photographic composition and stems from the theory that the human eye naturally gravitates to intersection points that occur when an image is split into thirds.

Framing

The role of any rule of composition is to draw the eye into a photograph. Framing refers to using elements of a scene to create a frame within your frame. For example, you might shoot through a doorway, pulled back curtains, branches, fences, tunnels, or arches to highlight your subject.

Simplicity

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. A more technical method of achieving simplicity involves focusing on the subject while ensuring the background is out of focus.