Photographs of London: Basic Definitions

Photographs of London: Basic Definitions

1.     Analogous Colors – any three colors that are next to each other on a 12-part color wheel; ex yellow-green, yellow, yellow-orange and red-violet, red, and red-orange
a.     Complimentary Colors – any two colors that are opposite each other on a color wheel; ex red & green, blue & orange, yellow & violet
2.     Asymmetry – not balanced; a dominant element is not paired
a.     Symmetry – design is balanced with dominant elements on either side of center
3.     Background – part of the overall scene

a.     Middle-ground – middle distance in photo

b.     Foreground – closest to the camera

4.     Camera Angle – degree at which the camera faces the subject

5.     Cool Colors – include green, blue, purple & their gradients; seen as calming, relaxing, and somewhat reserved

a.     Warm Colors – include red, orange, yellow & their variations; implies happiness, passion, excitement

6.     Depth of Field – the depth of a point closest to the camera to the point farthest from the camera

7.     Diagonal Lines – a line between two corners; not an edge

a.     Impact – brings attention/focus to a certain part of photo/design

8.     Filling the Frame – frame is space of the photograph; filling the frame suggests to make the focus to fill the majority of the space

9.     Focal Point – a point of emphasis, interest, or difference that captures attention

10.  Framing Element – use elements in the scene to create a ‘frame’ within the space of the photo; exs include shooting through a doorway, window, arches, etc to highlight the subject

11.  Horizon Line – naturally occurring line where land meets the sky; often used as an anchor in photos

a.     Place – match with the horizontal lines of the rule of thirds section; do not place in the middle of the photo

12.  Juxtaposition – placing two objects together to force a contrast

13.  Leading Lines – use lines to draw attention to a certain subject

14.  Line – any two connected points; useful for separating space and drawing attention

15.  Negative Space – aka white space, the space between design elements, space around the subject

a.     Positive Space – the elements or the subject

16.  Pattern Texture – element that creates a 3D appearance on 2D surface

17.  “Rule” of Thirds – a picture is divided into three sections vertically and horizontally (9 sections total), with each intersection representing a place for important visual elements
          See right for example

18.  Scale – relative size of object(s) to a common standard; a relative measurement

19.  Value – relative lightness/darkness of a color

20.  Value Contrast – the degree of variation between light and dark; the lower the range, the higher the value; ex using black and white have the highest value contrast