Principles of Design in Photography

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core Principles of Design applied to art and photography, including balance, contrast, movement techniques, and shutter speed applications.

Balance

The arrangement of parts in an image so that they have equal visual weight or force, which can be distributed horizontally or vertically.

Symmetrically Balanced

A type of balance where the elements used on one side of an image are similar or identical to those on the other side.

Asymmetrically Balanced

A type of balance where the sides of an image are different in composition but still feel balanced to the viewer's eye.

Radial Balance

A form of symmetrical balance based on a circle where elements within an image radiate outwards from a central point.

Pattern

The concept of integrating a regular repetition of elements (such as shapes, lines, or colors) into photographs, which can be natural or man-made.

Emphasis

A principle where special attention or importance is given to one area or object through color, shape, size, texture, or value, causing it to become the focal point.

Contrast

A compositional tool used to draw the viewer's attention to the subject by showing a great difference between objects through color, texture, value, or tone.

Color Contrast

The use of brightness, vividness, or opposing color relationships (such as cold versus warm or light versus dark) to draw visual attention.

Tonal Contrast

Contrast based on differences across the grey scale, most commonly found in black and white photography.

Low Contrast (Affinity)

A tonal relationship where values and tones are close together on the grey scale.

High Contrast

A tonal relationship where values and tones originate from opposite ends of the grey scale.

Movement

How an artist directs the viewer's eyes to travel around an artwork's edges and lines, or the use of motion blur and streaking to draw attention to the subject.

Freeze Action

A photographic technique that uses a fast shutter speed to capture and sharply suspend the rapid motion of a subject.

Panning

A technique where the photographer moves the camera along with a moving subject to produce a relatively sharp subject against a blurred background (typically at a shutter speed around $\frac{1}{125}$ depending on light).

Motion Blur

An effect captured at a slow shutter speed (such as $\frac{1}{30}$ on a tripod) to produce a streak-like appearance of motion or movement in an image.

Ghost Effect

An effect captured at a slow shutter speed or long exposure (such as $\frac{1}{8}$ on a tripod) where the moving subject appears transparent.

Light Painting

A photography technique of moving a light source while capturing a long exposure photograph (such as $8\text{''}$ seconds on a tripod).

Proportion (Scale)

The relationship between objects with respect to size, number, and scale, including the relation between parts of a whole to make subjects stand out.

Unity (Harmony)

The appearance of oneness and similarity in an artwork, capturing separate parts and organizing them so they work together as a coherent whole.

Variety

The practice of using differing elements and objects in an image—such as a mix of colors, shapes, or subjects—to create visual interest and avoid monotony.