Elements of Art and Principles of Design in Photography

Line

They have the power to draw the eye to key focal points in a shot and to impact the ‘feel’ of an image greatly.

Shape

Shape describes two dimensional space. It is defined by other elements of design like color, lines, space and value.

Color

The colors in an image and how they are arranged can make or break a shot.

Bright colors can add vibrancy, energy and interest – however in the wrong position they can also distract viewers of an image away from focal points.

Value (Tone)

The fact is, value can impart as much, or more, emotional response than color. It is the main component of black and white photography.

Form

Form would be how you define that object that you are taking the picture of. For instance

Texture

texture is found almost everywhere sunny days, shadows have sharply defined edges and are probably very dark.

Space

Either technique can be effective – so experiment with moving in close and personal and moving out to capture a subject in its context.











Balance

Photographic Composition, Center of interest, Subject placement, Simplicity, Symmetrical, or formal, balance in a photograph is achieved when elements

Contrast

the relative difference between light and dark areas of a print or negative.

Emphasis

Emphasis in photography is highlighting some aspect of a scene or subject.

Movement

The way that your eye is directed across the photograph, how one element of the photograph leads our eyes to another.

Pattern

There are patterns all around us if we only learn to see them. Emphasizing and highlighting these patterns can lead to striking shots – as can high lighting when patterns are broken.

Rhythm

 the rhythm for the reader and they analogous to negative space where positive space.

Unity

 A principle of art, unity occurs when all of the elements of a piece combine