By- Elizabeth Rawding

THE PRINCIPALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Shape is the distinguished outline of the object. While form is the nuances of shadow that help give the shape depth.

Example- In this photo of a car light shape and form is shown to outline the main light and the shadows on the car.

SHAPE AND FORM

LEADING LINES

Leading lines create meaningful compositions. They are used to draw the viewers eye straight to the main focus.

Example- In this photo the leading lines are the lines of pink flowers leading straight to the main focus point, which is the building.

Photographers want images that have impact, and the proper utilization of texture. Texture can become visible when il luminated from an oblique light source.

Example- In this photo the photographer took a picture of a rope tied in a interesting design and really showed the texture of the rope in general.

TEXTURE

Color encompasses three parameters, or properties which are known as hue, saturation and brightness. Hue are actually just colors.

Example- In this photo color is really brought out by the saturation and brightness of the colors.

COLOR (HUE)

In photography there is two types of balance, symmetrical asymmetrical. Symmetrical is the main type of balance in photography. Its when the pictures are balanced in each side.

Example- In this photo the columns are the main focus of symmetrical balance. They are both on each side.

SYMMETRICALBALANCE

Asymmetrical Balance shows a pictures balance in a less ridged manner.

Example- In this picture its not exactly the same on each side but there is an even distribution of the building and sky.

ASYMMETRICALBALANCE

Gradation is the tonal contrast between the black and white in a photo. This includes paying attention to density, and detail in a photo.

Example- In this photo the black and white are shared evenly throughout the photo to almost make it look like a dirty sky.

GRADATION

The main word you think of when you hear repetition is repeat. When you repeat a certain size, or shape or color you add strength to the overall image.

Example- In this photo repetition is shown by the apple being brought all the way back to the back of the photo and the repetition of the green colored apples.

REPETITION

Patterns can either be man made, or be apart of nature. Patterns add a visual rhythm and harmony to photographs.

Example- In this photo patterns are shown by the pattern of shopping carts being stacked together.

PATTERN

Some photographers use contrast to direct the viewers eye to the focus point. Contrast shows the lightest tone to the darkest tone, the lightest tone being the focus point.

Example- In this photo the contrast is the yellow flower against the dull sky.

CONTRAST

This is used as a color tool. It is when the color of the main object or focus stands out much more then the rest.

Example- The color dominance in this photo is the clouds and the sun peaking trough the clouds.

DOMINANCE

This is the size of the object or person in the picture compared to the rest of the surroundings.

Example- In this photo the people are so tiny compared to the rest of the picture.

PROPORTION

Unity is a principle and is achieved through repetition. Whether that is through shape, value or color.

Example- In this photo unity is shown by the value of people and the how they are all doing the same thing.

UNITY

Negative space provides provides balance, accentuates the subject, and helps create atmosphere, creates interesting shapes and patterns.

Example- In this photo the negative space is the man and the lady. It helps keep the focus on the people and not the background.

NEGATIVE SPACE

This is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts of the photo.

Example- In this photo the rule of thirds is shown to to cut the picture of the bee.

RULE OF THIRDS

Placing the most important element in the center, also known as the focal point of the photo.

Example- In this photo the track is the focus point of the photo.

VISUAL CENTER