THE ELEMENTS OF ART
The basic building blocks that artists use to create works of art.
Line
A line in photography can mean a few different things. Leading lines move your eyes throughout a photograph. Diagonal lines can convey a sense of action or make an image more dynamic. Repeating lines that fade in to the background will bring the viewer’s back in to the picture. Lines aren’t always straight, the “line” of a curves road will lead the viewer’s eye through the image.
Texture
The surface quality of an artwork that can be perceived through the sense of touch (Actual) or Implied visually.
Color
The element with 3 properties: hue (name), value (light to dark), and intensity (saturation).
Shape
Objects in your photo such as a rectangular door, a round tree, or square tiles add “shape” to an image. These can be used as “frames” for your subject or just to add an interesting piece to your art.
Space
Indicates the areas between, around, above, below, or within something. Negative Space- The outside of an object or the area around the subject. Positive Space- The object or the subject of a piece.
Form
Form is what takes your two-dimensional photograph and makes it appear life-like and three-dimensional. This is usually achieved by controlling the light on your subject. There are many different lighting setups for portrait photography that will give form to your subjects in varying degrees or shape and intensity. Form is a three-dimensional aspect formed by the shade and light.
Value
Shows the degree of lightness or darkness of colors. The way the light reflects off different surfaces.