Photography As Art

Photography is more than combining cameras, lenses, and film; it is about using those tools in combination with the elements and principles of design to create visual art.  Understanding how to use the elements and principles will turn your “snap shots” into photographic works of art.  Define the following terms.

Elements of Design

Line: A line can be thought of as points so close together that they lose their individual identity and form a new entity. ·       Leading: An important design element that directs our attention into the heart of a picture is called a leading line. o     ·      Vertical: Vertical lines suggest strength and power. o     ·      Horizontal: symbolize rest or repose. o     ·      Diagonal: suggest a feeling of movement or direction. o     ·      Curved: suggest confusion and turbulence. o

http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/element.htm use this website to figure out what each type of line represents.

Principles of Design

Balance: Balance is a psychological sense of equilibrium. ·      Symmetrical: Symmetrical balance can be described as having equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. ·      Asymmetrical: involves placement of objects in a way that will allow objects of varying visual weight to balance one another around a fulcrum point.

Unity: the relationship among the elements of a visual that helps all the elements function together.

Variety: provides contrast to harmony and unity.

Movement: is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the artwork, often to a focal area. Rhythm: a movement in which some elements recurs regularly.

Emphasis: creates a focal point in a design

Proportion: refers to the relative size of parts of a whole (elements within an object). Scale: refers to the size of an object (a whole) in relationship to another object (another whole).

Repetition: reusing of the same or similar elements throughout your design. Pattern: 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.

Making Choices

Point of View: a particular attitude or way of considering a matter. ·      bird’s eye: an overhead view. ·      worm’s eye: a below eye-level view.

Rule of Thirds: guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs.

Framing: using different objects to focus on the main object of the film.

Simplicity: placing a subject against a neutral background.