Elements and Assignments

The Formal Elements of PHOTOGRAPHY

Lesson Objective: To investigate how to use the Formal Elements of Art in photography.

Lesson 1

Now that you understand how to work the DSLR cameras, it is important that we refresh our memories of what makes a photograph successful to ensure that all of our work is of a high quality.

Remember that photography is only 10% what you have (an expensive camera, equipment etc) and 90% what you know.

We are going to begin by looking at the Elements of Art and how these can be used in photography.

Color:

​- Explain the three properties of colour (hue, saturation and value.) 

- Explain and add examples of photos showing different colour schemes (complementary, analogous and monochromatic).

Line:

​- What are the two ways lines affect photography composition?

- Explain how  the four basic types of lines affect the photograph?

Shape and Form: (SHAPE ON LEFT, FORM ON RIGHT)

- What is the difference between Form and Shape? SHAPES LOOK 2D and FLAT

- What does form refer to in Photography? The subject looks more 3D.
- What are the three ways to make your subject look more 3D? Move to the corner of the object. Light it differently.

Texture:

​- What effect can light have on texture?

- How will the f stop (aperture)  effect how texture is seen in your photo?

​- What happens when you  capture two or more contrasting textures in a photograph

Value:

- What is value?

- Where is the eye drawn to in a photograph?

​- What is the difference between a high key and low key imag

Space:

- What is the rule about using space in photography?

- What is the difference between positive and negative space?

​- How do you create a sense of space and depth in your photograph?

Task 1:​

Beginner Photo

Take six photos in total of the Formal Elements of Art (line, shape/form, colour, texture, space and value). 

Intermediate

Take six photos in total of the Formal Elements of Art (line, shape/form, colour, texture, space and value). 

These should be Still Life images, so think about how you might arrange objects to match each of the Elements of Art. Consider how you might use the compositional guidelines in your images.

Advanced

Take a set of 2 photos for each element and show different aspects of each element. 

These should be Still Life images, so think about how you might arrange objects to match each of the Elements of Art. Use the research you completed last lesson to help with ideas of what you might show - below are some examples to get you started:

- Line: diagonal, horizontal, vertical, implied etc.

- Color: analogous, monochromatic, complementary, desaturated etc. 

- Shape: geometric and organic shapes, 2D 

-Form: 3D objects (think about how you might use shadows to make objects look 3D)

​- Space: positive space vs. negative space, consider how you can create depth (foreground, middle ground and background)

- Texture: natural and man made, bumpy vs. smooth etc.

- Value: try to use contrasting tones next to each other to create areas of interest

HOW TO GET PHOTOS FROM CAMERA INTO COMPUTER

Task 1:

Place your SD card into the base of your computer

On your desktop, find the SD card and double click to open the folders inside.

Double click on DCIM

Double click 100 Canon

Hit Ctrl A to select ALL photos or Ctrl Click to select individual photo

Hit Ctrl C to copy

Open a new 'finder window' by going to the bottom of your screen and right clicking on the yellow folder icon.

Open your 'Digital Photography' folder in your Google Drive

Make a new folder called Elements and Ctrl V to paste your elements photos into the Elements folder.

​Task 2:

Beginner

a) Add a new title underneath your Elements of Art Mood Board of ‘Elements of Art Shoot 1’.

b) Upload all of your photos to your site to create a contact sheet. Since you have 6 photographs, your photographs should be in rows of three.

c) Caption each of your photos with the Element of Art which it represents. 

​

Intermediate

d) Write about your favorite photograph. 

Use the sentence starters below if you need help getting started:

- This photo shows the Element of...

- I have used this Formal Element effectively by...

- The reason I have chosen this photo to demonstrate this Formal Element is because...

​

Advanced

d) Underneath your contact sheet write about your favorite Element of Art and explain how you have successfully represented it within your photographs.