Elements of Visual Art:
All the Pieces/Parts Making Up an Image Composition
1.Line—a point moving through space that creates direction or a pathway in an image. Tip: use lines that draw a viewer’s eyes into a composition and point them in the direction of the main subject of the photo—“leading lines”
This image uses leading lines with the background "green" given to the image that leads you to the leaf, my subject.
2.Shape—created when a line meets itself in an image. A shape can also be implied by the alignment of other shapes in a composition. Tip: the use of triangle shapes in compositions are a very powerful tool in artwork
This image has two very big triangles in the image: the rock up front and the hole where the sunburst is happening
3.Form—created when shapes are seen as 3-dimensional in an image. This creates depth and distance in a composition. Tip: correct placement of forms create depth and generates more of an interest in a composition by pulling your viewer into the image
This image uses the 3D form of the orange because the shadows show it as a 3 dimensional figure.
4.Space—the area of an image taken up by elements (positive space) or the open area around or between elements (negative space) . Tip: use open spaces that have little in them to create more focus and emphasis on the subject of the image—“negative space”
This image uses the space because it blurs out the back flowers really focusing on the flower in the front, my subject.
5.Texture—surfaces shown in an image that suggest to our perception and memories of touch, taste, and/or smell—this makes a photograph seem more “real” and give a life-like impression/feeling. Tip: good use of texture creates a stronger connection for a viewer to a composition
This image has texture because it really focuses on the tiny water drops on the leaf.
6.Color—the amount of light in an image in terms of hue (type of color) and saturation (amount of the hue)…black and white has color in terms of shades of gray. Tip: there needs to be the perfect balance of color: not enough and the image is boring, but too much and the image looks unrealistic
In this picture my subject has the most color. I left my background simple to make my subject give the picture a "pop" to the eye.
7.Value—the quality of light vs. dark (brightness and shadows) by using bright colors or softer color tones; or the lighting contrast tones in a black and white image…this is the “pop” that an image has to the eye…Tip: always remember that this is the first impression of an image for a viewer, it “wows” the viewer and should be used to capture their attention immediately
This image has value because all the water drops really stand out to the eye.
