This document discusses key principles of photography including shape and form, leading lines, texture, color, symmetrical and asymmetrical balance, gradation, repetition, pattern, contrast, dominance, proportion, unity, negative space, rule of thirds, and visual center. Each principle is defined and an example photo is provided to illustrate it.

1. THE PRINCIPALS OF By-
Elizabeth
PHOTOGRAPHY Rawding

2. SHAPE AND FORM
 Shape is the distinguished outline of the object. While form is
the nuances of shadow that help give the shape depth.
 Example- In this photo of a car light shape and form is shown
to outline the main light and the shadows on the car.

3. LEADING LINES
 Leading lines create meaningful compositions. They are used to draw
the viewers eye straight to the main focus.
 Example- In this photo the leading lines are the lines of pink flowers
leading straight to the main focus point, which is the building.

4. TEXTURE
 Photographers want images that have impact, and the proper
utilization of texture. Texture can become visible when
illuminated from an oblique light source .
 Example- In this photo the photographer took a picture of a
rope tied in a interesting design and really showed the texture
of the rope in general.

5. COLOR (HUE)
 Color encompasses three parameters, or properties which are
known as hue, saturation and brightness. Hue are actually just
colors.
 Example- In this photo color is really brought out by the
saturation and brightness of the colors.

6. SYMMETRICAL
BALANCE
 In photography there is two types of balance, symmetrical
asymmetrical. Symmetrical is the main type of balance in
photography. Its when the pictures are balanced in each side.
 Example- In this photo the columns are the main focus of
symmetrical balance. They are both on each side.

7. ASYMMETRICAL
BALANCE
 Asymmetrical Balance shows a pictures balance in a less
ridged manner.
 Example- In this picture its not exactly the same on each side
but there is an even distribution of the building and sky.

8. GRADATION
 Gradation is the tonal contrast between the black and white in
a photo. This includes paying attention to density, and detail
in a photo.
 Example- In this photo the black and white are shared evenly
throughout the photo to almost make it look like a dirty sky.

9. REPETITION
 The main word you think of when you hear repetition is repeat.
When you repeat a certain size, or shape or color you add
strength to the overall image.
 Example- In this photo repetition is shown by the apple being
brought all the way back to the back of the photo and the
repetition of the green colored apples.

10. PATTERN
 Patterns can either be man made, or be apart of nature.
Patterns add a visual rhythm and harmony to photographs.
 Example- In this photo patterns are shown by the pattern of
shopping carts being stacked together.

11. CONTRAST
 Some photographers use contrast to direct the viewers eye to
the focus point. Contrast shows the lightest tone to the
darkest tone, the lightest tone being the focus point.
 Example- In this photo the contrast is the yellow flower
against the dull sky.

12. DOMINANCE
 This is used as a color tool. It is when the color of the main
object or focus stands out much more then the rest.
 Example- The color dominance in this photo is the clouds and
the sun peaking trough the clouds.

13. PROPORTION
 This is the size of the object or person in the picture
compared to the rest of the surroundings.
 Example- In this photo the people are so tiny compared to the
rest of the picture.

14. UNIT Y
 Unity is a principle and is achieved through repetition.
Whether that is through shape, value or color.
 Example- In this photo unity is shown by the value of people
and the how they are all doing the same thing.

15. NEGATIVE SPACE
 Negative space provides provides balance, accentuates the
subject, and helps create atmosphere, creates interesting
shapes and patterns.
 Example- In this photo the negative space is the man and the
lady. It helps keep the focus on the people and not the
background.

16. RULE OF THIRDS
 This is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both
horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts of the
photo.
 Example- In this photo the rule of thirds is shown to to cut the
picture of the bee.

17. VISUAL CENTER
 Placing the most important element in the center, also known
as the focal point of the photo.
 Example- In this photo the track is the focus point of the
photo.