Elements and Principles of Photography

Horizon Line
Definition: Expanding the foreground to help extend the range of background and get the "horizon"
Explanation: Horizon line is ones eye level picture, by drawing one line perpendicular to the ground.

Horizontal Lines
Definition: Horizontal Line goes straight across, they also give a sense of calm and relaxed.
Explanation: Horizontal Lines go across a surface in a straight line, whether high above or down below.

Proportion/scale
Definition: Proportion is the relative size and scale is the size of elements of what they are being compared to.
Explanation: Proportion is achieved by choosing an angle or view that is dramatic, extreme, or unexpected. 

Symmetrical Balance
Definition: When one or more identical or similar subjects are repeated are symmetrical on each side of a given point.
Explanation: Symmetrical balance is often recognized by subjects that are in uniform in shape.

Diagonal Lines
Definition: Diagonal lines work in the way of drawing a persons eyes through the photograph.
Explanation: Diagonal lines are often used to achieve a strong impression of movement and create a tremendous sense of depth.

Curved Lines
Definition: Curved lines add beauty and grace to a photo, and used as a popular design for leading the eye into the frame.
Explanation: Curved Lines allow the eye to explore an image in a smooth, free-flowing manner. 

Leading Lines
Definition: Leading lines in a image lead the eye to another point in the image, or sometimes out of the image.
Explanation: Leading lines are an easy way for the eye to follow through different elements of a photo.

Unity
Defintion: Unity is all elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious,  complete whole.
Explanation: Taking parts of a picture and combining them together to unify them as a better whole.

Variety
Definition: A way of combining elements in involved ways to achieve intricate and complex relationships.
Explanation: Variety is achieved by the use of diversity and using different hues, texture, and shapes.

Asymmetrical Balance
Definition: When one or more dissimilar elements are balancing on each side of a given point.
Explanation: If you have 1 large image it should be counterbalanced by a smaller object.

Birds Eye View
Definition: Birds eye view is an elevated view of an object from above looking down.
Explanation: Views are distinguished from direct observation at high locations.

Vertical Lines
Definition: Most powerful lines in visual art, they come with a feeling of strength, height, and integrity.
Explanation: Scanning with our eyes from left to right horizontally, vertical lines are good at complimenting them.

Emphasis
Definition: Emphasis is the area of a photo of which first catches the attention from the eye.
Explanation: Focusing on one point of a picture and blurring out the rest gives great emphasis and draws attention.

Movement/Rhythm
Definition: A movement of which elements reoccur regularly, and the path of which the viewers eye takes from the photo.
Explanation: Movement and rhythm adds excitement to a photo, and directs the viewers eye through the picture.

Repetition/Pattern
Definition: Repetition and pattern give an impression of largeness and appealing.
Explanation: Filling the farm while capturing repetition and pattern is a good way to make the photo appealing.

Worm's eye view
Definition: Viewing an object from the ground as though the observer were a worm.
Explanation: Worms eye view is usually used commonly for third perspective.

Rule of Thirds
Definition: Placing points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that you photo becomes more balanced.
Explanation: With the rule of thirds imagine breaking an image down into thirds so that you have 9 parts.

Framing
Definition: Drawing attention to the subject of your image by blocking other parts of the image with something in the scene.
Explanation: Framing brings more depth to a picture and a better focus on what the main subject is in the picture.

Simplicity
Definition: Keeping things simple in a photo is a good way to bring peace and comfort into a photo.
Explanation: Look for uncomplicated background and don't keep focus on objects that are out of the picture that will draw attention away from the main subject.

Texture
Definition: Texture helps emphasis the features and details in a photo.
Explanation: Texture can be used to give realism and character to a picture and may be even be the subject in the picture.