Photo Composition

Emphasis:

Definition: (center of interest) is an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition.  This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.

• The photo achieves the principle of design because the background emphasizes the leaf.

Horizontal Lines:

Definition: Lines running across the photo from East to West that convey a message of ‘stability’ or even ‘rest’. Horizons, fallen trees, oceans, sleeping people – all of these subjects have something about them that speaks either of permanency and timelessness or rest.

•   The stairs run East to West and convey a message of rest.

Repetition/Pattern:

Definition: 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

• The pennies are being repeated.



Bird's Eye View:

Definition: Looking down upon a subject 

• It's looking down on the girl which gives an unusual perspective

Vertical Lines:

Definition: have the ability to convey a variety of different moods in a photograph ranging from power and strength (think of skyscrapers) to growth (think of trees).

• Conveys growth with the trees and power/strength with the barn siding. Also elongates the picture.

Texture:

Definition:  helps to emphasize the features and details in a photograph. By capturing "texture" of objects being photographed, you can create form.

• It emphasizes the roughness of the wall.

Symmetrical (formal) Balance:

Definition: a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. that is symmetrical or evenly balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.

• The picture shows Symmetrical balance because the two objects are almost identical and create a sense of symmetry.

Unity:

 Definition of 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 shows unity because its color scheme is relaxing and monochromatic which gives a sense of harmony, and the picture feels whole.

Rule of Thirds:

Definition: In the rule of thirds, photos are divided into thirds with two imaginary lines vertically and two lines horizontally making three columns, three rows, and nine sections in the images. Important compositional elements and leading lines are placed on or near the imaginary lines and where the lines intersect.

• Main parts of the bee are placed on the points of emphasis and the bee itself is located along one of the lines.

Diagonal Lines:

Definition: Draw the eye of an image’s viewer through the photograph. They create points of interest as they intersect with other lines and often give images depth by suggesting perspective. 

• The Diagonal lines lead you to the people and show depth.

Variety:

 Definition: 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. Unity is the principle which is its variety's opposite; but when there is too little variety, the result is monotony.

• This shows variety because of the variety of fruits.

Simplicity:

Definition: keeping the items in your photo relatively simple.

• The item is very simple and similar in color.

Asymmetrical (informal) Balance:

Definition: a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc.  that is asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced.  Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.

•  This picture shows asymmetrical balance because the two lights aren't identical but they show balance

Movement/Rhythm:

Definition of Rhythm: 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.

Definition of 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 demonstrates movement/rhythm because the birds direct your eye to move up or down the birds and the birds occur regularly.

Leading Lines:

Definition: lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image.

• The road leads your eye to the top of the image.

Proportion/Size:

 Definition: refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole.

•  this shows proportion because of the scale of the rock to the city. The rock is obviously smaller in real life but the picture makes it seem like it might be big.

Horizon Line:

Definition: often act as a dividing point in a photograph – in effect an anchor that the rest of the image is formed around. 

• There is a low horizon line that sets the stage for the rest of the photograph and gives it an open feel.

Worm's Eye View:

Definition: Opposite of birds eye view. It is taking a picture from beneath the object of interest, looking up.

• The picture is taken looking up at the trees from the ground.

Curved Lines:

Definition: 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.

• The curved lines in the stairs move your eye smoothly through the photo

Framing:

Definition: a technique used to focus the viewer's attention upon the subject.

• The window frames the trees.