Elements and Principles

 Leading Lines

Leading lines are lines that appear in a photograph that has been framed and positioned by the photographer to draw the viewer's eye towards a specific point of interest. These lines often draw the viewer's eye in a specific direction or towards a designated portion of the photograph.

Vertical Lines

When scanning a photo our eyes move from left to right, rather than up and down, so vertical lines work well to lead the viewer's eye upwards. When we think of growth, we think of an upwards direction. Using vertical lines to lead the eye upwards emphasizes growth and determination.

Horizontal Lines

A horizontal line is a straight line that runs from the left side of the frame to the right. The most commonly used horizontal line in photography genres that are practiced outdoors is the Earth's horizon – the apparent line that separates the land from the sky.

Diagonal Lines

Diagonal lines generally work well to draw the eye of an image's viewer through the photograph. They create points of interest as they intersect with other lines and often give images depth by suggesting perspective. They can also add a sense of action to an image and add a dynamic looks and feel.

Curved Lines

Curved lines in a photograph create an effect completely different to that of straight lines. Curved lines have the effect of slowing the photograph down and suggesting time passing. Because a curved line takes longer to get from point A to point B, it suggests a tranquil, restful mood and having time to get there.

Formal Balance

Symmetry (also known as formal balance) is achieved when both sides of the image hold equal weight. ... Each photograph is equally balanced if split down the middle, yet one is literally symmetrical and the other uses different elements of the composition to appear symmetrical.

Informal Balance

Simply put, informal balance occurs when dissimilar elements balance each other out on each side of the frame. The size of each element can be irrelevant, but more often than not it's better to have a larger element juxtaposed with a smaller element or elements to make a good composition.

Unity

Unity describes the visual relationship between elements in a photograph. It helps create a cohesive image. Using similar colours or tones, concepts or elements cultivates a sense of unity.

Variety

Variety is about varying elements and objects in your image, to avoid making them boring. Variety can also be varying your angles, exposure, composition, etc., to get a few different looks to the same image. ... This image has variety by introducing another element into the foreground of the picture.

Rhythm

Rhythm in photography refers to the way in which the eyes look at an image. If there is only one element to look at in the frame, the rhythm is pretty simple and quiet. It focuses on one thing only. When more elements are added, the photography rhythm changes, increases, speeds up a little. Just like music.

Emphasis

Emphasis​is defined as an area or object within the artwork that draws attention and becomes a ​focal point. Focal point ​refers to an area in the composition that has the most significance - an area that the artist wants to draw attention to as the most important aspect.

Proportion

Proportion in photography is usually comparing size of objects, or the amount of one thing to the whole. We generally think of comparing size when talking about proportion. By comparing the size of one object to another, it can give more or less importance to it.

Repetition

Repetition refers to repeating elements within a single frame. For instance, a line of trees stretching across the frame will repeat the same shape, over and over again. ... You can have repeating colors, repeating shapes, repeating textures, or repeating tones.

Bird's Eye

In film and video production, bird's-eye view means a shot that is looking directly down on the subject. The subject is very short and squat because the perspective is foreshortened. Bird's-eye view is often used for landscape, aerial and cityscape photography

Worm's Eye

Worm's eye view photography is a point of view in photography where the image is captured from a very low angle with camera pointing towards the top. It is like the view from a worm's eye in the ground, hence the name.

Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. While there are other forms of composition, the rule of thirds generally leads to compelling and well-composed shots.

Framing

Framing in photography refers to the technique of drawing focus to the subject in the photo by blocking other parts of the image with something in the scene. Frames can be located in the center of the picture or alongside its edges.

Simplicity

Simplicity is the photography equivalent of minimalism. It's a photography composition technique that concentrates on keeping only the absolutely necessary information in frame. You could be easily fooled into thinking that simple composition is simple and not thought out.