Photo Design-Chapter 3-Graphic Elements
Transcript of Photo Design-Chapter 3-Graphic Elements
graphic elements
Chapter 3
A Single Point
• A point is a small part of your image that must contrast with its setting
• At this point you have to decide where to place this point
point
point
Several Points
• Two dominant points create distance• The eye travels from point to point creating an
implied line• The direction of the line usually leads from the
stronger point to the weaker point• Points can also create shapes based on how
they are arranged• When objects have to be arranged it can be very
demanding
several points
Horizontal Lines
• In photography lines are usually implied (less obvious)
• Lines in photography are often edges or rows of points
• Creates a strong graphic quality• They can contain directionality and
movement along their length• Vertical, Horizontal, Diagonal
Horizontal From Perspective
• Even random groupings can become horizontal lines with perspective
horizontal lines
horizontal lines and viewpoint
Vertical Lines
• Naturally sits more comfortably in a vertical format
• Has a sense of speed, movement up/down, or can act as a barrier like posts as well as a sense of strength
• Vertical lines are immediately compared with the frame edges, so any misalignment will be very noticeable
vertical lines/continuation
vertical lines/foreshortening
A 400 mm lenscompresses diminishing perspective
vertical/horizontal frame
vertical/horizontal frame
Diagonal Lines
• Diagonal lines don’t need to be aligned a certain way in the frame, so you have more freedom
• Creates more dynamic frame with faster motion and unresolved tension(the feeling of falling)
• Diagonals can be formed by perspective • You can manipulate perspective with the degree
of your diagonal line• Wide angle lenses emphasize distance while a
longer lens can show a specific part of a diagonal line
zig-zag
diagonal with movement
single diagonal
diagonal/wide angle
diagonals/perspective
Curves
• Curves avoid direct comparison with the edges of the frame
• The progressive change of direction can give the feeling of rhythm and acceleration
• Curves can also be seen as gentle and flowing• Curves can’t be created as easily by the
photographer unless they are really there or they use a fisheye lens
curve/gesture
concentric curves
implied curve
Eye Lines
• One of the most valuable implied lines• We naturally go first to the human face
and if they are looking at something we automatically follow their gaze– This is called the eye line
diagonal eye-line
eye-line
Eye linesEugene Richards
Triangles
• One of the most useful shapes in photography• Triangles can be made by lines, three points, or
convergence made by perspective• They are dynamic because they have two
diagonal lines and stable if one side is a level base
triangle/vertical convergence
triangle closure
triangle/three elements
inverted triangle/focus
inverted triangle
Circles and Rectangles
• Circles occur more in nature– they have an enclosing effect– They contain things that are within them– The draw the eye inward– They can also imply motion around the circumference
• Rectangles happen more in man made structures– Easy to use to subdivide the frame– Large correspondence to the edges of the frame– Formal and static
circle/fish eye lens
rectangles/order
Vectors
• Vectors are graphic elements that have movement giving dynamic energy to the image– They provide a route for the eye to travel
converging diagonals
directing attention