Elements & Principles of Photography

Leading Lines

Example: 


Definition:  the person who is viewing the photo is attracted to lines that lead directly to the subject in the photo. 
Explanation:  
The railroad track is a lines that are leading the subject at the end of the track like a train. I chose this photo because over the summer i walk on the railroads tracks to get to my friends house.
                                            

  

Vertical Lines 

Example:  

Definition: Lines that go up and down (north to east)

Explanation: The guitar strings are the main focus of the picture, creating up & down lines. I chose guitar strings because i play a string instrument. 

Horizontal Lines

Example: 

 

Definition: Lines that go from side to side (east to west)

Explanation: The crosswalk lines are painted on horizontally. I chose the crosswalk because i go to into different cities a lot. 

Diagonal Lines

Example: 
 

Definition:  a line that runs in a slanted direction

Explanation: the sand is marked with lines that go in a diagonal/slanted direction. I chose sand because i like to go to the beach. 

Curved Lines

Example: 

Definition: opposite of straight lines, tend to go the opposite way creating a u shaped line 

Explanation: Curved lines are often known as comforting and calm lines, the way the top of the zebras head is turned creates a sharp curved line. I chose the zebra because i find the zebra a interesting animal. 

Symmetrical Balance

 

Example:

 

Definition: Both sides of the photo are almost or close to
being exactly like

 

Explanation: If you were to split this picture right down the middle, both sides would look exactly alike. I chose airport chairs because I'm often in airports over the summer to go visit family.

 

 

 

Asymmetrical Balance

Example:

 

Definition: not identical on both sides, but both sides of the photo have an object to balance it out.

 

Explanation: On the left side is the Eiffel tower, and on the right is the moon, therefore its different on either side. I chose this photo because Paris is somewhere i always wish i could go. 

 

Unity

Example:

 Definition: two things being united or joined as a whole

Explanation: unity is being joined as a whole, and all these sea shells are joined together in one pile. I chose the sea shells because they remind me of the beach, which is something i love.

 

 

 

Variety

Example:

 

 

Definition: all things are different

 

Explanation: there are all different colors, shapes and sizes in donuts! I chose donuts because donuts are one of my favorite things to eat.

 

 

Movement/Rhythm

Example:

 

Definition: a visual tempo or beat, a photo that creates/shows movement

 

Explanation: In every sport if you take a picture, its going to be a movement/rhythm photo because you're creating movement. I chose this cheer leading picture because i cheered for 6 years when i was younger.

 

 

 

Emphasis

Example:

 

 Definition: value shown in a picture

 

Explanation: sometimes people use blur or color change to show the emphasis on the one object.

In this photo it is all black and white except the one photo. I chose this photo because i like flowers and one of my favorite colors is purple.

 

Proportion/Scale

Example:

 

Definition: The size of an object in relation to the size of another object.

 

Explanation: The cigarette is twice the size of the people, to show scale/ proportion. This is kind of random but i chose this picture because i don't like smoking and with the cigarette being twice the size of you in this photo shows it has the power to kill you.

Repetition/Pattern

Example:

 

 Definition: When an object or shape is repeated more than once

 

Explanation: The pattern of the brick is repeated throughout the building. I chose the brick because i live in a brick house. 

Bird's eye view

 

Example:

 

Definition: a general view from above

 

Explanation: This is what the beach would look like in a bird's point of viewing flying up above. I've always loved the way the beach looks with all the umbrellas around on the sand.

 

 

 

Worm's eye view

Example:

 

Definition: a general view from below

 

Explanation: this is what palm tree's look like from underneath. I was born in California so i decided to chose a picture of palm tree's.

 

 

 

 

Horizon Line

Example:

Definition: where two things meet ( sky & ground)

 

Explanation: The sunset and the ground meet creating a horizon line, i chose this photo because sun sets are pretty.

 

 

 

 

Rule of Thirds

Example:

 

 

Definition: splitting a photo into sections/thirds then putting the subject in one section.

 

Explanation: the lady bug is the subject of the photo set towards the right side of the picture. I chose the lady bug because lady bugs are cute.

 

 

Framing

Example:

Definition: using an object to frame something else that is your subject of the photo

 

Explanation: in this photo they are using something so simple like your hand to frame the sun as the subject.

 

 

 

Simplicity

Example:

Definition: something easy and simple to understand

 

Explanation: its a picture of an apple theres not a different way to look at it, its just a photo of a simple object.

 

 

 

 

 

Texture

Example:

 

 

Definition: the feel or appearance of a surface or substance.

 

Explanation: A nail file is rough for the purpose of smoothing your nails. I chose a nail file because i can't stand the feeling of one.

 

 

 

Compositional Match Game

.

Image	E/P of Design	Rational
	Framing	Directs viewers attention to what is important using objects or elements existing in the scene
	Pattern/ Repetition	The repeated consistency of an element in a work
	Birds Eye View	Birds fly above humans and this picture is a view from above looking down.
	Rule of Thirds	Compositional rule of thumb where the whole image is divided into 9 equal parts; compositional elements should be placed among these lines or intersections
	Symmetrical Balance	One side balances or mirrors the other side (separated by a vertical line)
	Vertical Lines	Lines that run North & South. (Grandness, & spirituality)
	Unity	All elements of a piece or work together to produce a balanced, harmonious, complete whole
	Asymmetrical Balance	Different objects balance each other out on the page
	Leading Lines	Lines that lead the eye to other points in the image (or out of the image)
	Horizontal Lines	Lines that run east & west. (Rest, calmness, or tranquility)
	Diagonal Lines	Lines that run in a slanted direction (movement & direction)
	Proportion/ Scale	The relative size of one object in relation to another
	Texture	The appearance & feel of a surface
	Curved Lines	Lines that deviate from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion (comfort, safety, familiarity, relaxation)
	Movement/Rhythm	Shows action & the path of the viewer's eyes through the artwork
	Worm's eye view	view from below looking up
	Emphasis	Elements in a piece that are given dominance or attract attention.
	Variety	Differences in elements & principles of design that give interest to a composition
	Simplicity	Singling out an item(s) form their surroundings
	Horizon Line	Used to emphasize the sky or ground based on the placement of horizontal line where the ground meets the sky

What is Composition?

1) What is Composition? 

Composition in the placement of elements in a work of art, distinct from the subject of a piece of work/art. The most important elements in photography are texture, shape, light, line, perspective and motion. These are composition's raw materials. Composition is basically all about paying attention. 

2) Why is it important to understand and utilize composition in photography?

A photograph an artistic way to look at things or people. You know a photograph is good whenever every single element contributes to the final piece, and none are left out/not used. The point of a photo is to show something about the subject, not just take a picture of the subject. To accomplish that a photograph should be composed. All of the elements should be arranged to work together towards an effect. 

3) Aspects of a Snapshot: 

When taking a snapshot it involves just a little more than just standing there, pointing the camera in the right direction, and snapping a picture. 

4) Aspects of a Photograph: 

Taking a good photograph requires paying attention to details inside the frame and making sure everything is right before the shutter is clicked. 

5) Photography is the art of discovery. 

Understanding Focal Lengths

   
           

Focal Lengths:

A Focal Lenght is a calculation of an optical distance from the point where light rays converge to form a sharp image. There are 2 types of Focal Length: Zoom which is a variable focal length or Prime which is a fixed Focal Length. All the Focal Lengths are: 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 55mm, 85mm,  105mm, 135mm, 200mm, and 300mm. 

Camera Basics Quiz

                                                     Blur

                                                  Grain

                                       Large Depth of Field 

                                                Selfie

Group B:

• For Large Depth of Field, i set a low aperture because the lower the aperture the less light enters and creates a clear focus with no blur. 
• For Grain the higher the ISO the higher the sensitivity is, which creates a low/dark light. When the ISO is higher, it causes it to have a slower shutter speed, causing more grain.
• For Blur, a slow shutter speed lets more light enter which causes blur. 
• For my selfie, i set a timer cam for 10 seconds, and i changed the aperture to a higher number to allow more light to enter , causing a shallow depth of field. 

Summary: 

Throughout this unit we've learned about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, White Balance, Exposure Modes and Focal Length. Aperture is the size of the opening in the lens that permits light to hit the film/digital sensor. You use aperture to create a large or small depth of field. Shutter Speed is the amount of time the shutter is open. This is used to create blur or a feeeze movement by changing the shutter speed to fast or slow lengths. ISO is the International Standards Organization,. The lower the ISO the brigher the light and the faster shutter speed, and the higher the ISO the darker the light, more grain, and slower the shutter speed. White Balance helps you get the colors in the image as accurate as your eye sees them. There are 8 types of White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Shade, Cloudy, White Fluorescent, Flash, and Custom. For Exposure Modes  the metering mode refers to the way in which a camera determines the exposure. Overall, there are 5 Exposure Modes: A-Dep (auto depth of field), AV (aperture value), TV (time value), P (programmed), and M (manual). Last Focal Length is a calculation of an optical distance from the point where light rays converge to form a sharp image. There are 2 Focal Lengths: Prime which is a fixed focal length and Zoom which is a variable focal length.