Slide 1
Principles of Design and PhotographyThe principles of design
help us organize and arrange the elements of art in our
photographs. Unlike, the elements of art which can clearly be seen,
the principles of design are more abstract. They are concepts which
we will use to guide the arrangement of objects in our artwork.
PatternBy repeating the elements of art (lines, shapes, colors,
etc...), patterns are created.
BalanceBalance is the appearance of equal visual weight in a
photograph.There are 3 main types of balance; Symmetrical,
Asymmetrical and Radial.Symmetrical Balance- sometimes described as
a mirror image composition.
Asymmetrical Balance- objects appear to be balanced but nothing
is centered in the picture frame.One way to achieve this is by
using the Rule of Thirds. This is when a photographer divides the
picture space into equal thirds, both horizontally and vertically,
creating a grid. By placing the main objects of the photograph at
the intersections of these lines, you will create a pleasing
composition.
Radial Balance- balance that occurs when objects are reflected
around a central point of a photograph.Radial Balance can create a
very energetic composition indicating forceful movement.
UnityUnity is when the individual parts of your photograph come
together to support each other.To be unified elements must relate
to each other through their subject matter, appearance, size,
texture or color.When unity is overdone, your photographs can
appear boring, with nothing to grab and hold the viewers
attention.
VarietyVariety has to do with using diverse art elements in your
photography. As opposed to unity, where many elements are similar,
variety focuses on using many different types of elements in your
photographs.Be careful: adding too much variety to a composition
can become chaotic and be distracting to viewers.
Variety can be created by the objects, subjects, colors,
textures and shapes in your photographs.Variety can also be created
by the emotions and associations included in your photographs.
Including a variety of figures, expressing many different emotions
(anger, joy, sorrow and fear) in one single photographic
composition would be just one way to incorporate variety, sparking
interest and curiosity from viewers.
MovementThere are two types of movement in photography, real and
implied. Shutter speed controls how much movement and time you
capture in your photographs. The slower the shutter speed, compared
to the speed of the subject, the more blurred image you will
create, creating a sense of movement. The faster your shutter
moves, compared to the speed of your subject, the more clear the
image will be, capturing a single, frozen instant in time. Because
of this, sports photographers often use the fastest shutter speed
possible.
Movement can also refer to how someones eyes move through your
photographs. Viewers eyes tend to follow lines through the
composition of a photograph. Our eyes are also drawing to the
largest and brightest areas in an image. By placing the largest and
brightest objects in specific areas of your composition, you can
control where the viewers eyes will move.
RhythmRhythm is another type of visual movement in photography.
Rhythm is created by an organized repetition of the elements of art
such as colors, lines, and shapes.
EmphasisOne of the most important decisions you need to make as
a photographer is to determine what your photograph will be about,
and what the emphasis will be. This will help to clearly
communicate to your viewers your main ideas, and help the viewers
find a focal point in your images.
One way to create emphasis on your subject is to get closer to
the focal point, and make it bigger than all other elements in the
photograph.
Viewers tend to focus on lighter areas compared to darker areas
of images. Another way to create emphasis in your photographs is to
place more light on your subject compared to the background.
ProportionProportion is concerned with the relationship between
the sizes of objects in your photographs.
