graphic elements

Chapter 3

A Single Point

• A point is a small part of your image that must contrast with its setting

• At this point you have to decide where to place this point

point

point

Several Points

• Two dominant points create distance• The eye travels from point to point creating an

implied line• The direction of the line usually leads from the

stronger point to the weaker point• Points can also create shapes based on how

they are arranged• When objects have to be arranged it can be very

demanding

several points

Horizontal Lines

• In photography lines are usually implied (less obvious)

• Lines in photography are often edges or rows of points

• Creates a strong graphic quality• They can contain directionality and

movement along their length• Vertical, Horizontal, Diagonal

Horizontal From Perspective

• Even random groupings can become horizontal lines with perspective

horizontal lines

horizontal lines and viewpoint

Vertical Lines

• Naturally sits more comfortably in a vertical format

• Has a sense of speed, movement up/down, or can act as a barrier like posts as well as a sense of strength

• Vertical lines are immediately compared with the frame edges, so any misalignment will be very noticeable

vertical lines/continuation

vertical lines/foreshortening

A 400 mm lenscompresses diminishing perspective

vertical/horizontal frame

vertical/horizontal frame

Diagonal Lines

• Diagonal lines don’t need to be aligned a certain way in the frame, so you have more freedom

• Creates more dynamic frame with faster motion and unresolved tension(the feeling of falling)

• Diagonals can be formed by perspective • You can manipulate perspective with the degree

of your diagonal line• Wide angle lenses emphasize distance while a

longer lens can show a specific part of a diagonal line

zig-zag

diagonal with movement

single diagonal

diagonal/wide angle

diagonals/perspective

Curves

• Curves avoid direct comparison with the edges of the frame

• The progressive change of direction can give the feeling of rhythm and acceleration

• Curves can also be seen as gentle and flowing• Curves can’t be created as easily by the

photographer unless they are really there or they use a fisheye lens

curve/gesture

concentric curves

implied curve

Eye Lines

• One of the most valuable implied lines• We naturally go first to the human face

and if they are looking at something we automatically follow their gaze– This is called the eye line

diagonal eye-line

eye-line

Eye linesEugene Richards

Triangles

• One of the most useful shapes in photography• Triangles can be made by lines, three points, or

convergence made by perspective• They are dynamic because they have two

diagonal lines and stable if one side is a level base

triangle/vertical convergence

triangle closure

triangle/three elements

inverted triangle/focus

inverted triangle

Circles and Rectangles

• Circles occur more in nature– they have an enclosing effect– They contain things that are within them– The draw the eye inward– They can also imply motion around the circumference

• Rectangles happen more in man made structures– Easy to use to subdivide the frame– Large correspondence to the edges of the frame– Formal and static

circle/fish eye lens

rectangles/order

Vectors

• Vectors are graphic elements that have movement giving dynamic energy to the image– They provide a route for the eye to travel

converging diagonals

directing attention