Download
1 / 17
170 likes | 191 Views
Learn how understanding and applying the principles of design can improve your photography skills. Discover the concepts of variety, unity, movement, balance, emphasis, and repetition, and see how they can be used to create compelling photographs.
E N D
Elements of Art: • We recently learned about the Elements of art, the building blocks of an artwork. • We also learned that understanding these Elements and using them correctly in photographs will help you to become a much better photographer.
The Principles of Design: • If the Elements are the building blocks, think of the Principles as the overall building, or bigger concept. • The Principles are a list of concepts and ideas that, again when understood and used properly, can improve your skills as a photographer.
Acronym for remembering the Principles: • V- Variety • U- Unity • M- Movement • B- Balance • E- Emphasis • R- Repetition
Variety: • (Def) – Simply stated, variety means different things happening in the same space. • In an art sense, this could mean that one element is used in a variety of different ways. For example- a line drawing might include straight line, curved line, thick line, thin line, etc… • It could also mean that a variety of the elements are used. For example, an artwork contains line, color, and shape.
Variety in Photographs: • Where do you see evidence of Variety being used in this photo? What Elements are used? Richard Avedon- “Dovima with Elephants”
Unity: • (Def) The overall cohesiveness of an artwork (how it holds together) • Unity can be created by using the same element throughout the whole artwork, but that might create boredom. • Instead, try spacing an element so that it is repeated in different areas of the artwork to keep the viewer’s interest.
Unity in Photography: • Where do you see evidence of Unity? What Elements are used to create this Unity? Philip-Lorca DiCorcia- “Eddie Anderson; 21 Years Old; Houston, Texas; 20 Dollars
Movement: • (Def) the way the Elements are arranged so that they lead the viewer’s eye around an artwork. • This term does not mean that the artwork shows the subject in motion!
Movement in Photography • Describe the path your eye takes when moving throughout this photograph. Jan Groover- “Tybee Forks and Starts”
Balance: • (def) the arrangement of one or more elements in a work of art so that they appear symmetrical (even) or asymetrical (uneven, but still containing about as much material or subject matter). • Sometimes artists purposely make their work unbalanced in order to create tension.
Balance in Photography • Is this Photograph Balanced? If so, is it an example of symmetrical or asymmetrical balance? Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen- ”Girl on a ’Spacehopper’”
Emphasis: • (def) Any forcefulness that gives importance or dominance to some feature or features of an artwork. • Point of emphasis, or focal point- The main eye catching area or subject in a photograph.
Emphasis and Focal Point in Photography: • Where is the Focal Point in this photograph? What Elements are used to emphasize this point or area? Ansel Adams
Repetition: • (def) a way of combining Elements of art so that the same elements are used over and over again.
Repetition in Photography • Where do you see evidence of repetition? What is the point of repeating these elements? Olivia Parker- “Pods of Chance”
Summary: Having Knowledge of the Elements and Principles is the first step in teaching your eye to see differently. Remembering to look for these Elements and Principles when you take a photo, rather than snapping a picture, is what separates a snapshot from a great photograph.
