Principles of Design

How Elements of Art are Arranged/Organized in Images

 

1. Pattern—organized repetition of art elements like colors, shapes & lines create a rhythm in an image...Tip: the key to pattern is repetition

- This image has a lot of patterns going all different directions

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2. Unity—all individual parts support and relate to each other to harmonize & make a single cohesive image...Tip: remember that too much unity makes an image boring

- This image has big and small lines which creates a pattern which makes unity.

 

3. Variety—using different elements that are unrelated and diverse to create more contrast and emotion in an image...Tip: remember that too much variety makes an image distracting

- This image has different elements which is the branch with the sun glowing through the leaf's and making a glare.

 

4. Movement—2 forms: (1)how a viewer’s eyes travels through an image (i.e. using leading lines), and (2) any actual (or implied) motion of the elements within an image...Tip: movement is key to keeping a viewer’s attention and interest as they take a journey through the image

- This image is creating a flow through the water coming out the seal's mouth and going into the pound where the hippo is.

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5. Emphasis—the main focus of a photograph that is communicated to the viewer …this can be done by making your emphasis point either (1) most in focus, (2) largest, (3) most colorful, or (4) brightest part of the image (this one works well to help bring out more of the element of value in an image)...Tip: Over-emphasize the subject of the image using as many of these methods of emphasis (achieving all 4 is best!)

- This image has all four emphasis: the flower is the most colorful, and the brightest thing in the picture, the flower is in focus, and largest in the the picture.

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6. Proportion—creates frame of reference for the viewer of the actual real-life size, scale, & distance of objects within an image (i.e….placing a person in an image shows size). It also includes purposefully omitting clues of size, scale, and distance to create an illusion that something is bigger than it truly is...Tip: try to include hints as to the size of the subject in the image…but remember, sometimes it might be more powerful to hide the true size of the subject from the viewer

- This image has a flower pot behind the statue to show how little the statue is.

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7. Symmetrical Balance—balance of elements is equal on both sides: centered left & right, and/or centered top & bottom of an image...Tip: symmetrical balance  is easily created as a mirror image in a composition or an when an object is placed directly in the center

- This image has both buildings on each side and lamposts in the background on each side.

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8. Radial Balance—occurs when the elements radiate from a central point of an image…this usually shows forceful or highly focused movement...Tip: radial balance is easily created in an image of a wheel or flower

- This image has a burst of sunshine through the middle on the center of the picture.

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9. Asymmetrical Balance—elements in an image appear “out of balance” but actually do have an order based on the Rule of Thirds—divide a photo into equal thirds, both horizontally & vertically, which creates a tic-tac-toe like grid...Tip: the elements that appear at the intersections of these grid lines in composition always appear more appealing and artistic to a viewer by building more of the element of value (“pop”) in an image

- This image because it has beautiful, colorful flowers in different equal places, it makes a viewer's eye look at more than just 1 object in the picture.