Color – refers to specific hues and has 3 properties, Chroma, Intensity and Value. The color wheel is a way of showing the chromatic scale in a circle using all the colors made with the primary triad. Complimentary pairs can produce dull and neutral color. Black and white can be added to produce tints (add white), shades (add black) and tones (add gray).
This picture shows the the primary colors (Red Yellow and Blue) along with other complimentary colors. Also the colors are being emphasized with the rest of the colours in black and white. An the first thing you notice in the picture is the color rather than texture.
Form is any three dimensional object. It can be measured, from top to bottom (height), side to side (width), and from back to front (depth). Form is also defined by light and dark. There are two types of form, geometric (man-made) and natural (organic form). Form may be created by the combining of two or more shapes. It may be enhanced by tone, texture and color. It can be illustrated or constructed.
This picture shows mainly the three dimensions of the subject in the picture. Looking at the difference in colour value you can see the depth of the object. Also it is a geometric object because all the objects are unifrom and there are little flaws in the curve and direction of the line. The shadows also allow the viewer to immediately recognize the three dimensions of the objects in the picture.
A shape is defined as an area that stands out from the space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences of value, color, or texture. All objects are composed of shapes and all other ‘Elements of Design’ are shapes in some way.
In this picture the viewer immediately notices the distinct shape of the heart in the picture. The white heart stands out from its red outline. They create implied lines around the white area revealing the shape of the heart.
Texture is about surface quality either tactile or visual. Texture can be real or implied by different uses of media. It is the degree of roughness or smoothness in objects.
This image illustrates close up the texture and feel of a snakes skin. It shows the quality of the skin adding the feel that it is a smooth quilted texture. With the image so close to the subject, the viewer can immediately feel or imagine how the subject feels and its distinct texture.
Value is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between. Value can be used with color as well as black and white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.
Within this image, the black and white form a sort of gradient. From a a dark black at the bottom gradually lightening as it gets to the white sky. As value represents the different tones in between two colors, like a gradient, this image shows different tones of grey between the extremes of black and white.
In design, space is concerned with the area deep within the moment of designated design, the design will take place on. For a two-dimensional design space concerns creating the illusion of a third dimension on a flat surface.
This image creates a feel of depth with the blurred background making it seem three dimmensional. Also the focus is on the subject on the right with the rest of the image as negative space.
A line is a mark on a surface that describes a shape or outline. It can create texture and can be thick and thin. Types of line can include actual, implied, vertical, horizontal, diagonal and contour lines.
This picture contains series of parallel curved lines on a track. They are actual lines and are not implied and set boundaries in the picture and define the outline of the track. Also the main attention of the picture are hte lines so peoples eyes are pulled toward them.
Balance is a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.
When viewing this picture, the viewer feels a sense of equilibrium on both sides of the pictures. The man in the middle and on both sides with flags and cars. This represents balance as it is generally symmetrical. The photographer meant to add balance in this picture by adding a vertical middle and on either sides, the objects are symmetric.
Emphasis is an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition. This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.
In this picture your attention is immediately attracted to the red lit candle to the left of the image. This shows emphasis by making that candle stand out from the other unlit candles. It is the only one lit and is red opposed to the other grey ones. The way it attracts your attention to that specific point is emphasis.
Contrast offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast shows the difference between shapes and can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis.
This image contrasts two different colored flowers. It uses complementary colors of light blue and orange on the color wheel. The way the two opposing colors are next to each other in the image, contrasts the darker color from the light colored flower.
Directional movement is a visual flow through the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement and position. Directional movement can be created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move your attention through the format.
When looking at this image, the eye begins at the bottom of the stairs and works its way around and to the center. As th image consists mainly of curved lines, it encourages the eye to move along with the lines in the photo. This way it creates a sense of movement for the viewer.
Rhythm is a movement in which some elements recurs regularly. Like a dance it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.
This image consists of several columns recurring in the same distance from one another. It creates a steady rhythm for the pillars as they are regulated in a uniform manner. The rhythm is like the beat at which the pillars appear.
Pattern is the repetition of shape or form. It can also reflect the underlying structure of a design by organizing the surfaces or objects in the composition.
This image shows the repetition in the way the lines flow, to the left and to the right diagonally. Also the shapes in between them are repeated in a uniform manner. This image has several repeating elements that repeat in a grid-like manner.
Unity brings together a composition with similar units. If your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in just one geometric shape.
First this image uses the same color throughout. It uses blue slightly altering the tone, this unifies the picture with color. Also, the texture of this painting is similar throughout. The strokes and flow of the image is also similar, for example the radial shape in the center and the way the roots curve up to the trunks. The way these elements work together creates a sense of unity and harmony in the image.
