Principles of Design
Photography
What are the Principles?
• Contrast
• Rhythm
• Unity
• Movement
• Pattern
• Emphasis
• Balance
Contrast: difference between elements, such as color, texture,
value and shape.
Contrast: What
element is contrasting
in this photo?
Rhythm: the way elements
combine to produce the
appearance of movement in an artwork.
Describe how this shows
rhythm…
It is all about repeating shapes, lines, and textures.
Unity: the sense of wholeness which results from the successful combination
of the elements of art.
Similar shapes, colors, value,
textures and lines
create unity.
Movement: the arrangement of parts in an artwork to create a sense of motion to the
viewer’s eye through the work.
Movement is directly related to
rhythm and dynamics.
Remember, implied lines direct the viewer’s eye.
Pattern: the repetition of the elements of art in an artwork.
Pattern and Rhythm both rely on repeating elements.
The difference is pattern does not focus on
repeating elements to
make movement.
Emphasis: the arrangement of
parts in an artwork to
create a feeling of dominance
and importance on a particular
area.
Similar to dynamics
and movement, implied or
actual lines can point to the area of emphasis.
Using lines and shapes to “frame” an area can also create emphasis.
Balance: the arrangement of elements to create stability in an
artwork.
Symmetrical balance involves elements mirroring
each other.
Usually the image can be folded in half and be the
same of both sides.
Asymmetrical balance is a “feeling” of
balance based on
similar visual weight.
Your Assignment:• Choose a theme. Take at least 2
photographs of each principle of design that pertain to your theme. (14 minimum)
• Edit your photographs.
• Save photos into a folder labeled “name principles”
• Complete a critical analysis on one of your photos. (I will print one photo).