Visual Elements
a) Value / Tone (Tonal Value)b) Line / Implied Linec) Shape / Form - Negative Space, Implied Shaped) Color - Hue, Value, Saturation, Complimentarye) TextureVisual Structurea) Spaceb) Emphasisc) Balance - Symmetrical, Asymmetricald) Movemente) Repetition - Rhythm, Patterf) UnityVISUAL ELEMENTSa) Value / Tone (Tonal Value)- light is essential
- cannot make a picture without light
- brightness or darkness that we see (tone)
- value is apparent in all photographs
- necessary for us to recognize objects and space in photographs
- black and white photographs pay attention to tonal value
- in color photographs we pay attention to tonal value and hue
b) Line / Implied Line
- if we see value in all photographs, we see line in ALMOST ALL photographs (EX. a blue sky with no clouds)
- line is a moving point
- infinite variety
- describe shape or imply shape
- describe action
Line Characteristics
- measure
- direction
- type [organic (EX. wavy, jagged, angular) or geometric lines]
- character, emotion
Implied Line
- not and actual line in the photograph
- controlling a mental connection the viewer makes
- visual attraction in the photograph
- close proximity or by similar shape
- movement
- similarity of subject matter
c) Shape / Form
Shape
- an area created by a defining of an edge with changes in color or value
- or an area enclosed by a line
- shape or line can be geometric
Form
- is three dimensional shape
- as photographers we can only express three dimensions
- illusion can be created by shading, modelling or distortion of line the surface of an object
Implied Shape
- if implied lines enclose and area, we create and implied shape
- has an impact
Negative Space
- the space in and around shape (EX. Sky)
- also referred to as negative shape
d) Color
- changes the way we view images
- in black and white photographs we tend to see shape and form first, in a color photograph we see color first
Hue - name given to a pure color of the spectrum (EX. orange, yellow, green)
Value - is the lightness or darkness of a hue
Saturation - is the intensity or purity of a hue
Complimentary Colors
- red, green
- yellow, violet (purple)
- orange, blue
- use complimentary colors together, pleasing to the eye
- red, yellow, orange are warm colors
- blue, violet, green are cool colors
- cool colors recede, warm colors advance
e) Texture
- the surface quality of an object
- experience through touch or sight
- impression or illusion of texture (visual texture)
2. VISUAL STRUCTURE
What we create with our camera
a)Space
- depth, three dimensionality
- creating the illusion of depth
- area that is between and around shapes or forms
- we can achieve this by:
- 1. overlapping shapes or forms
- 2. varied positions and therefore different sizes of objects
- 3. decreasing detail / shallow depth of field
- 4. perspective; linear (EX. two rows of trees) or atmospheric (EX. haze in a distance), atmospheric being coverage of a part, less detail, not out of focus
b) Emphasis
- highlighting of a certain area of an image to create interest
1. Focal Point - one small area significantly different from the rest of the composition
2. Contrast - use of strong variation within an area
3. Surface placement
i) Rule of thirds
ii) Horizon Placement - place in either of the lines of thirds, never in the exact middle of the picture
iii) Natural Framing - is framed by other objects in the photograph
iv) Unusual Viewpoint
v) Filling the Frame - fill the frame with your subject, and that's all the viewer sees
c) Balance
- visual weight of a photograph
- implies a sense of equilibrium in an image
- within balance, there is either symmetrical or asymmetrical
Symmetrical / Formal Balance
- a symmetrical image with equal distribution of elements on either side of a central axis
Asymmetrical / Informal Balance
- balance is achieved with dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight on either side of the central axis
d) Movement
- illusion of movement
- frozen motion
- depiction motion through blur
- object leading the frame (leaving or coming into the frame)
- strong diagonal lines
e) Repetition
- repeating lines and shapes in a photograph
- static subject in both rhythm and pattern (EX. shapes, line or color)
Rhythm
- creates movement of design
- irregular or simple
Pattern
- a repetition of shapes, line or color, but creates a static design
Static Subject Matter
f) Unity
- implies harmony or coherence, and a sense of order among the subjects of the composition
