Chapter 2 - Elements of Design

ELEMENTS OF IMAGE DESIGN - LINE, SHAPE, FORM, SPACE, TEXTURE AND VALUE

It is of paramount importance to have fun. Our Journey begins with mastering what I believe to be fundamental in discovering the images. All the highest-quality equipment in the world cannot guarantee that you will take great photographs. Even knowing how to use the camera effectively, setting exposures, depth of field, etc., will not necessarily give your photos the artistic quality that all photographers strive for.

Artistic quality in your photographic images can be achieved by applying both Principles and Elements of Image Design. These are basic concepts that are easy to learn and will allow you to create great photos in an eye-pleasing way and even capture that rare beast we call art.

There are many basic concepts that underlie the field of image design that are often categorised differently depending on philosophy or teaching methodology. The basic tenets of image design can be structured into two categories - Principles and Elements.

® The Principles of Image Design are the organising and structural concepts of the image. The way in which these principles are applied affects the expressive content and message of the work. The Principles are Balance, Rhythm, Proportion + Dominance.
® The Elements of Image Design represent the components of image design, the objects and elements to be arranged. The Elements are Line, Shape, Form, Space, Value, + Texture.

Creatively combining both Design Elements and Design Principles can help achieve better images. A useful way to apply the Design Elements + Design Principles is to treat photographic composition and design like a language, where the Elements act as the vocabulary and the Principles act as the grammar and structure. A good writer, like a photographer can access a lot of ‘vocabulary’ and it is the way in which this is structured that becomes the art form. For that reason, Elements (vocabulary) are addressed before Principles (grammar).


ELEMENTS OF IMAGE DESIGN - LINE, SHAPE, FORM, TEXTURE, SHAPE + VALUE

1. LINE
The use of Line is one of the simplest concepts to understand. Basically, it is the incorporation of elements with strong, defined lines in your image, like the edge of buildings, train tracks, road lines and paths. Line is often used to either portray a sense of movement, or to lead the viewer’s eye to the subject and it can also imply Shape. Line is not limited to simply solid objects like buildings, or even to straight lines. Light and shadow, with a clear edge between them, can also create Line. Many images use curved lines, such as roads or footpaths.

2. SHAPE
Shape in images refers to elements that appear 2-dimensional and have a specific form. The most Common Shapes used in images are circles, arches, waves, curves, triangles and squares. Shape can also lend to other Elements and Principles, just as Line does. Usually, Shape is used to create a sense of Space (arched doorways are an example), though it works well with Form, Value, and Line.


3. FORM
Form is very similar to Shape, but can create depth and interest in photographs. Whilst Shape is 2-dimensional, Form is generally a 3-dimensional object. Spheres, cubes, and cones are good examples. This is also probably the least used of the Elements of Design as it’s difficult to portray a 3-dimensional object with film, which is by nature 2-dimensional. The idea behind Form is to reveal indentations, curves, bulges and edges that depict the object’s Form. Space is a commonly used Element in conjunction with Form, as it allowing the viewer to easily differentiate objects. Line and Value can also play a large part in Form.


4. TEXTURE
Texture is simply the tactile quality of an object and perhaps the most self-evident Element. Texture is an extremely good way to capture a viewer’s interest, as it invokes more than simply their sense of sight. It appeals to the sense of touch, thus adding another dimension of interest. Texture can also be easily used with Value and Repetition (a Principle of Image Design), with very good effect. When taking photos where Texture is the main element, light the object from the side or from the back, as this will emphasise Texture. Axis lighting, or lighting the object from the front, will produce the least Texture. Subjects with good Texture would be wrinkled fabric, a piece of wood, the bark of a tree, or a pitted stone such as pumice.



5. SPACE
Space refers to the areas that could be described as unused or unoccupied unused in a photo, generally the space between objects. In general, Space can help lend a sense of 3-dimensionality to a photo. By itself, Space can create beautiful photos, such as a photo of clouds, but its real strength lies with using it in combination with Line, Form, or Value. Space need not be a large, open expanse of space. A set of carefully arranged small objects, such as pebbles, could use both Space and Form very effectively.


6. VALUE
Value requires a somewhat practiced eye to understand and implement successfully. Value is the organisation and magnitude of light and dark in a photo. The deep shadow, the bright whites and all the tones in between are what make up Value in an image. Value can be used to highlight certain aspects, such as a bright subject against a dark background, or to obscure unpleasant features in dark shadows. In many photos, Value is balanced, with the number of strong lighter areas and strong darker areas in equilibrium. However, Value can also be out of balance in order to provide meaning and visual interest to the image.