In FocusIn Focus

Composition and Visual SelectionComposition and Visual Selection

ToneTone

Tone is probably the most intangible element of Tone is probably the most intangible element of composition. Tone may consist of shadings composition. Tone may consist of shadings from white-to-gray-to-black, or it may consist of from white-to-gray-to-black, or it may consist of darks against lights with little or no grays. The darks against lights with little or no grays. The use of dark areas against light areas is a use of dark areas against light areas is a common method of adding the feeling of a third common method of adding the feeling of a third dimension to a two-dimensional black-and-dimension to a two-dimensional black-and-white picture. The interaction of light against white picture. The interaction of light against dark shades in varying degrees helps to set the dark shades in varying degrees helps to set the mood of a composition. mood of a composition.

Tone

LineLine

A line represents a "path" between two points. A line A line represents a "path" between two points. A line can be straight, curved, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or can be straight, curved, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or zigzag. Lines imply motion and suggest direction or zigzag. Lines imply motion and suggest direction or orientation. A line can also be implied, that is filled in by orientation. A line can also be implied, that is filled in by the mind when several points are positioned the mind when several points are positioned geometrically within a frame. Placing four dots on a geometrically within a frame. Placing four dots on a page in the shape of a square can imply the points are page in the shape of a square can imply the points are linked as the mind searches for recognizable patterns. linked as the mind searches for recognizable patterns.

Lines that converge imply depth, scale and distance - a Lines that converge imply depth, scale and distance - a fence or roadway converges into the distance provides fence or roadway converges into the distance provides the illusion that a flat two-dimensional image has three-the illusion that a flat two-dimensional image has three-dimensional depth. A line is an effective element of dimensional depth. A line is an effective element of design because it can lead the viewer's eye. design because it can lead the viewer's eye.

ShapeShape

Shapes are the result of closed lines. Shapes are the result of closed lines. However shapes can be visible without However shapes can be visible without lines when an artist establishes a color lines when an artist establishes a color area or an arrangement of objects within area or an arrangement of objects within the camera's viewfinder. Some primary the camera's viewfinder. Some primary shapes include circles, squares, triangles shapes include circles, squares, triangles and hexagons all of which appear in and hexagons all of which appear in nature in some form or another. nature in some form or another.

Form/VolumeForm/Volume

When photographing most subjects, you When photographing most subjects, you face the problem of how to symbolize face the problem of how to symbolize three-dimensional objects in a two-three-dimensional objects in a two-dimensional picture. The solution dimensional picture. The solution becomes simple when a distinction is becomes simple when a distinction is made between the two different ways made between the two different ways three-dimensional objects appear: as three-dimensional objects appear: as positive, or occupied space (volume) or positive, or occupied space (volume) or as negative, or unoccupied space.as negative, or unoccupied space.

Form/VolumeForm/Volume

When a subject is lighted with very diffused When a subject is lighted with very diffused light, the three-dimensional form or volume of light, the three-dimensional form or volume of the subject is difficult to perceive because of the subject is difficult to perceive because of the lack of distinct shadows. If, on the other the lack of distinct shadows. If, on the other hand, subjects are lighted with strong hand, subjects are lighted with strong directional light from angles that cause part of directional light from angles that cause part of the subject to be fully lighted and other parts to the subject to be fully lighted and other parts to be in shadow, a visual clue of the subject's be in shadow, a visual clue of the subject's form or volume is provided. When a number of form or volume is provided. When a number of such objects are included within the picture such objects are included within the picture area, the perception of form, volume, and area, the perception of form, volume, and depth is increased. depth is increased.

PatternPattern

Creating your pictures around repeating Creating your pictures around repeating elements or patterns provides picture elements or patterns provides picture unity and structure. Pattern repetition unity and structure. Pattern repetition creates rhythm that the eyes enjoy creates rhythm that the eyes enjoy following. When lines, shapes, and colors following. When lines, shapes, and colors within a picture occur in an orderly way within a picture occur in an orderly way (as in wallpaper), they create patterns (as in wallpaper), they create patterns that often enhance the attractiveness of that often enhance the attractiveness of photographs. photographs.

TextureTexture

Texture refers to the surface quality or Texture refers to the surface quality or "feel" of an object - smooth, rough, soft, "feel" of an object - smooth, rough, soft, etc. Textures may be actual (felt with etc. Textures may be actual (felt with touch - tactile) or implied (suggested by touch - tactile) or implied (suggested by the way an artist has created the work of the way an artist has created the work of art -visual). Texture is often emphasized art -visual). Texture is often emphasized in oblique lighting as it strikes the objects in oblique lighting as it strikes the objects from one side.from one side.