By: Isabel Freedman
It is important to understand the various elements of photographic design if you want to create beautiful, compelling photographs, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on six essential elements of design that should be considered.
Color is an essential element of design, one which heavily influences the viewer’s emotional response to an image. There are an infinite number of colors, and each one can stimulate a different feeling, memory or emotion. Cool tones, such as blue or green, create a fresh, tranquil vibes. The saturation (intensity) of the color can also affect the emotion that is elicited. For example, a deep dark blue often creates a feeling of darkness or somberness. Alternatively, a bright robin’s-egg blue creates a light, cheerful mood. One of the first things we notice when we look at an image, whether consciously or subconsciously, is its colors. Is the palette bright or dark? Warm or cool? Saturated or washed out? High or low contrast? The human eye is highly sensitive to color, and this is why it is one of the most essential elements of design.
Although texture may not be instantaneously obvious to the eye, it can add impact to images. If texture is used properly in a photograph, it can create drama, convey information, add an aesthetically pleasing contrast and/or stimulate a feeling of physical familiarity. For example, a photograph showing the complex, patterned texture of a rock can create drama when counterbalanced against other objects in a photo.. Second, texture can provide information. In a photo of a painting, for example, a rough, distressed looking frame would suggest that the painting itself is old. A close up photo of the trunk of a tree may be used to highlight the bark, simply in order to create an image with a jagged, harsh pattern. For example, a photo of a soft blanket may elicit the feel, and even the smell, of our own childhood blankets. We recognize this texture, because we have felt it ourselves.
The effective use of lines can also create compelling photographs. Lines are one of the most important elements of composition. There are many different types of lines, including diagonal, horizontal, vertical, and curved. Diagonal lines are the most visually dynamic, and they can create a visually appealing composition. Horizontal lines create horizons and also divide the image into separate parts. These lines tell the viewer where to look, and also from what angle the photo was taken – if the horizon line is above eye-level, one may imply that the photographer took the photo from a low vantage point. Vertical lines create a feeling of permanence, power and structure. The lines of a tall tree, skyscraper or flag-pole are all examples of vertical lines. Curved lines create a calming, relaxed feeling, because of the smooth and soft shape that they create. The curvy lines in water, or on a leaf, create a soft and gentle look. Lines can create depth by leading inwards, as depicted by the path in the image below. Lines sometimes also lead the eyes to a focal point in an image. These are called, not surprisingly, “leading lines,” and they can be useful for emphasis and direction.
For design purposes, there are two main categories of shapes: geometric and organic. Geometric shapes include triangles, squares, circles, rectangles and the other polygons that are derived using mathematical formulas. Organic shapes refer to those of the natural world, such as a plant or animal. Shapes add information, dimension, depth, emotion and familiarity. For example, the silhouette of the hiker in the background of this picture creates depth, mood and perspective and conveys information. The silhouette tells us that the photograph was taken late in the day, creating a mysterious and adventurous mood. The organic curves and shape tell us who this person is, and where they are.
Viewpoint and Camera Angle
The perspective of a photograph is one of the first things we notice about it. Photos may be taken from many different angles, but the basic ones are low, canted, birds-eye, wide, telephoto and fish-eye. Low angle shots are taken by pointing up towards the subject. They create a feeling that the subject is dominant and powerful, because it is higher than and looms over the viewer. In contrast, high angles are taken from above the subject, and they suggest vulnerability and weakness in the subject. Canted angles, also known as “Dutch Tilt,” are images taken from diagonal, unusual or slanted angles. These images are meant to create an uneasy, disoriented effect within the frame. Canted angles are often seen in action shots, and they also convey a message of motion and ambiguity.
There is positive and negative space in a photograph. Positive space is that which forms a shape, subject or object. Negative space, also known as white space, is everything else. Space can convey a feeling or elicit emotion in the viewer. For example, a vast amount of negative space in the background of a photograph can create a sense of loneliness and isolation. A photograph with little negative space can create a claustrophobic feeling of entrapment or suffocation. If the subject is looking towards negative space, we immediately wonder what is beyond the frame, and what exactly she is looking at. When negative space is used this way, it creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity.
Of all six of the elements of design, not one of them is more important than another. Each one of them has a unique way of delivering a message, whether it is through texture or negative space, through color or the curve of a line. I hope that this explanation of essential design elements is helpful, especially for those who are looking to evoke specific meaning through their photographs.