Principles of Design

• Balance creates a sense of weight and distribution of elements in a composition.

  E.g symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.
• Contrast refers to opposites and differences in a photo.

  E.g large vs small, warm vs cool, light vs dark.
• Proportion is used to convey depth and distance in a photo. It refers to the size of parts in relation to the whole.
• Movement adds excitement to a composition by leading the viewer’s eyes across the image.
• Rhythm is a type of movement created by repeating shapes, colours and lines. Alternating them gives a sense of rhythm.
• Unity combines multiple elements and principles to help achieve the common goal a photo is trying to depict.
• Repetition is created by repeating visual elements to assist in creating visual unity.
• Dominance refers to the focal or ‘main point’ of an image.

  E.g What should the viewer be noticing first? Where is the visual emphasis in the image?