For this assignment you will use a photograph that you yourself have taken as an example of at least three compositional traits.
You must use a photograph that you yourself have taken. Again, you will select at least three terms presented in the videos and list below that accurately describe compositional elements of the photo you are presenting. In your submission you must include your image and the terms used along with a description of how /where those terms apply to your photo.
Use 3 of the terms below. Photo attached
LIST OF TERMS DESCRIBING COMPOSITIONAL TRAITS FROM VIDEOS
1. Rule of Thirds
A “rule of thumb” or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images. The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Please refer online for imagery of this grid. You should also have the option of enabling a grid on your smartphone camera.
2. Depth / Perspective / Atmospheric Perspective
The apparent existence of three dimensions in a picture, photograph, or other two-dimensional representation. Atmospheric perspective refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance.
3. Shape
A shape is two-dimensional. Of course a photograph itself is two-dimensional, but a shape in a photograph doesn’t have any appearance of depth. An object that appears to have depth either through lighting or perspective, is not a shape, but a form.
4. Form
Objects that appear to have depth, despite being part of a two-dimensional image, are part of the design elements of form. Forms usually appear to have depth through lighting that creates shadows, or by looking at the object from an angle, rather than straight onto one of the edges.
5. Texture
The visual “feel”, appearance, or consistency of a surface or a substance.
6. Symmetry
The quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis.
7. Asymmetry
The lack of equality or equivalence between parts or aspects of something; lack of symmetry.
8. Pattern
A repeated decorative design, as is often seen in tiles and textiles, as well as being found in the structure of plants and the markings on animals.
9. Depth of Field
Essentially, it is having certain elements in focus and the rest out of focus. An example would be the subject of the image being in the foreground and in-focus, while the objects just a bit further away are out of focus (or vice-versa).
10. Lines (Real, Implied, and Leading)
Lines form the edges of shapes, but they also form shapes of their own. Lines are natural and artificial; existing in nature and created by humans. Real lines you actually see, implied lines aren’t physical. An example of an “implied” line would be the “line” created when a person in the image is looking off into the distance. The direction of their gaze becomes a “line”. A leading line is a line that directs your eye directly to the subject.
Vertical lines in a photograph add tension to the scene. They also show strength and stability. Horizontal lines provide a sense of calm. Diagonals impart energy and a sense of dynamics to the frame.
11. Frames / Framing / Frame-within-a-frame
A framing object refers to anything in the scene that can be used to form a visual frame around the subject or focal point.
12. Contrast
Utilizing the full spectrum from dark to light, or exaggerating the darks and lights, or having a dramatically-lit subject or scene that employs heavy shifts between dark and light. This difference is what creates the textures, highlights, shadows, colors and clarity in a photograph.
13. Color
A component of light which is separated when it is reflected off of an object. Color begins with light and the colors we see are influenced by the characteristics of the light source. Wavelengths of reflected light determine what color you see. You may refer to a color wheel (I presented this class) to employ basic color theory, such as complimentary colors.
14. Viewpoint
The position we take the photograph from. This will also be the position you place the viewer in when they are looking at your finished shot. The viewpoint can dramatically change the feel of the photograph.
15. Negative / Positive Space
Simply put, positive space is the actual subject while negative space (also called white space) is the area that surrounds the subject. You will focus primarily on the negative space (let’s say a huge amount of sky dominating the image, with a small tree on the horizon at the bottom of the image).
