Module 2
Composition
the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a
work of art
Focal Point
The focal point is defined as
the center of interest, or
where your eye goes first
when looking at an artwork.
There are lots of tricks
photographers use to create
a focal point.
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is the most common
compositional guideline used by artists.
Imagine the scene divided in thirds
both vertically and horizontally,
creating 9 equal sections.
Where these lines intersect is the location
you should place your objects of interest.
Most people think that centering their subject is
best, but it really creates a static (boring) image.
Framing
Framing is using objects to create borders (frames)
around your subject. This can increase interest in the subject
and/or provide information about scale.
Angle of View
“Normally” photographs are
taken from between 3 and 6
feet from the subject and
from the viewpoint of the
photographer’s eye-level.
One of the easiest ways to
add significance to your
images is to change your
viewpoint
Lay on the ground to gain an ant’s perspective or
climb a tree to use a bird’s eye view.
Compose your photos with the
Elements and Principles
of Art and Design
The Art Elements are basic aspects of art that are present
in all art. The elements include: line, value, color, shape,
texture, space and form.
The Art Principles result when you use the Elements
successfully. The Principles are: movement, emphasis,
contrast, pattern, rhythm, balance and unity.
Elements…
LINE
Is the path of a moving point.
VALUE
The lightness and darkness of a color or tone
COLOR
Achromatic
“No color”
Using only black,
white and greys to
create art
Monochromatic
Using ONE color,
and various values of that
color to create art
Warm Colors
Reds, Pinks, Yellows,
Oranges
Think “fire”
Cool Colors
Greens, Blues, Purples
Think “water”
Primary
Colors
Colors that can’t be
made
Red, yellow, blue
Secondary
Colors created by mixing
Colors
neighboring primary colors
together
Orange, green, purple
Complimentary Colors
Red and green
Yellow and purple
Orange and blue
Colors that appear directly across from
one another on the color wheel.
SHAPE
A two-dimensional enclosed area
Geometric
Organic
Amorphous
FORM
A three-dimensional
geometrical figure
Versus shape, which is
two-dimensional, or
flat
TEXTURE
SPACE
Distance or area around, between, behind a 3-D object
Principles…
MOVEMENT
How your eye moves throughout the artwork
EMPHASIS
Emphasis of an area or focal point: First part of the work that
grabs your attention
CONTRAST
Deals with the difference of the art elements used
Black versus white
Orange versus blue (complementary colors);
warm versus cool colors
RHYTHM/REPETITION
repeating an object or art element
creates Pattern and Rhythm…
BALANCE
Equalizing the visual forces, or “Visual weight”
UNITY and HARMONY
Harmony: creates unity by stressing the
similarities of separate but related parts.
Color, Repetition of shapes, Spacing
Unity: quality of
oneness of
wholeness that is
achieved through
the effective use of
the elements
Module 2 Assignments
1. Take a photograph that utilizes framing. (20 points)
2. Take a photograph from a perspective that is “unusual”
(Angle of View). (20 points)
3. Choose one of the color theories and take a photograph that
demonstrates it well. (20 points)
4. Take a photograph that successfully demonstrates one of the
Elements or Principles. (20 points)
Upload each of these photos to FlickR with the appropriate label
(on your handout) and organize them into a set called “Module 2.” In
the description field, complete your self-critique.
What is a self-critique?
In the description field of each photo you take, tell me:
+ One thing you think you did well
- One thing you think you could do better
20/20 Your self-grade out of 20 points
Don’t forget that for each photo assignment, you must
create a FlickR gallery with an examples of each
photo assigned! In the comment field, tell me what it is
an example of and how you know it is a good example.