Photography Midterm Studier PDF

‭UNIT 1‬ ‭ esson 1: Introduction to Photography‬ L ‭- Summary: Photography is relatively new for an art form; it allows us to capture images that‬ ‭communicate better than words. To excel in photography understanding the history of visual arts‬ ‭the basics of camera operation and id...

‭UNIT 1‬ ‭ esson 1: Introduction to Photography‬ L ‭- Summary: Photography is relatively new for an art form; it allows us to capture images that‬ ‭communicate better than words. To excel in photography understanding the history of visual arts‬ ‭the basics of camera operation and identification of key equipment is important‬ ‭- Main Facts:‬ ‭1. A Picture's Value: Photography can convey what might take many words to describe.‬ ‭2. History Relevance: Knowing the history of visual arts and photography helps in‬ ‭understanding its evolution.‬ ‭3. Equipment Basics: Understanding how cameras work and the role of different photography‬ ‭tools is crucial for good photography.‬ ‭ esson 2: The Evolution of Visual Arts‬ L ‭- Summary: Visual arts, including photography, have evolved from prehistoric cave paintings to‬ ‭modern photography. The development of photography was a significant shift from traditional art‬ ‭forms like painting and sculpture.‬ ‭- Main Facts:‬ ‭1. Historical Art Forms: Visual arts include painting, sculpture, and photography, among others.‬ ‭2. Pre-Photography Art: Before photography, art was created through sculpture and painting.‬ ‭3. Modern Photography: Photography is a recent development in the timeline of visual arts,‬ ‭emerging around 200 years ago.‬ ‭Lesson 3: The Beginnings of Photography‬ -‭ Summary: The advent of photography started with Joseph Niepce’s first permanent‬ ‭photograph and evolved through various processes like daguerreotypes and early color‬ ‭photography, dramatically changing how we record and view the world.‬ ‭- Main Facts:‬ ‭1. First Photograph: Joseph Niepce created the first permanent photograph in 1825.‬ ‭2. Early Techniques: Early photography involved complex chemical processes and materials.‬ ‭3. Color Photography: James Clerk Maxwell’s work led to the first known color photograph,‬ ‭showing the evolution of photographic technology.‬ ‭ esson 4: How Cameras Work‬ L ‭- Summary: Cameras capture images by recording light reflected from objects. The camera's‬ ‭lens and sensors play a crucial role in this process, which is analogous to how the human eye‬ ‭sees and processes visual information.‬ ‭- Main Facts:‬ ‭1. Light Capture: Cameras record reflected light through lenses onto sensors.‬ ‭2. Comparison to Eyes: The camera’s process of recording light is similar to how human eyes‬ ‭perceive images.‬ ‭3. Low Light Challenges: Understanding light and how to manage it is essential for effective‬ ‭photography.‬  ‭Lesson 5: Digital Photography Essentials‬ -‭ Summary: Digital photography involves using digital cameras and memory cards to store and‬ ‭transfer images. Key components include cameras, computers, and image-editing software,‬ ‭which help in capturing, editing, and managing photos.‬ ‭- Main Facts:‬ ‭1. Digital Cameras: Point-and-shoot cameras are commonly used for taking digital‬ ‭photographs.‬ ‭2. Image Transfer: Transferring photos from a camera to a computer involves using cables or‬ ‭memory card readers.‬ ‭3. Editing Tools: Computers and software options are essential for editing and enhancing digital‬ ‭photographs.‬ ‭Question 1:‬ ‭ nswer 1: The photographer's role is to be creative and take pictures that convey a message,‬ A ‭emotion or a story. They need to understand how to control lighting composition and camera‬ ‭settings to make a good picture, photographers need to use the principles of composition like‬ ‭the rule of thirds and framing. They need to adjust lighting conditions using natural or artificial‬ ‭light to help.‬ ‭ uestion 2:‬ Q ‭Answer 2: in 1825 Joseph Niepce made the first photograph using a metal plate. In the 180s‬ ‭Louis Daguerre developed a process which made photography commercially viable with‬ ‭multiple color filters. Photography changed how we keep track of and remember special events.‬ ‭Question 3:‬ ‭ nswer 3: Now modern photography uses digital cameras with a lot of features, earlier‬ A ‭photographs used more complex chemical processes and equipment to develop images which‬ ‭took a long time for results. To compare though, both past and present photographers want to‬ ‭make meaningful and compelling photographs as well as the fact that understanding and‬ ‭mastering photography techniques are important to both.‬ ‭ uestion 4:‬ Q ‭Answer 4: A camera takes an image by recording light through a lens onto sensors which can‬ ‭be adjusted, A human eye sees in real time adjusting automatically for light and focus.‬ ‭Question 5:‬ ‭ nswer 5: Auto focus, the camera automatically adjusts the lens to ensure that the subject is‬ A ‭sharp making it easier for beginners to capture images. Manual settings allow photographers to‬ ‭control settings like shutter speed and ISO. Image stabilization reduces the blurriness caused‬ ‭by camera movement. Editing tools are basic edits directly on the camera, it's useful for making‬ ‭quick adjustments but lacks the editing capabilities on computers.‬ ‭Q:‬ ‭ : The photograph shows a glass heart a cat a water fountain a tree and a house‬ A ‭I chose to photograph this scene because the heart is a symbol of my love for my late grandpa‬ ‭Finding clean windows‬ ‭To convey emotions, messages or stories GEDC2400.JPG‬ ‭Q:‬ ‭ : A portrait photographer takes pictures of people with the intent of causing emotions, telling a‬ A ‭story or specializing in subjects such as weddings or funerals. They must have access to light‬ ‭filters and proper editors to do their job. A good portrait photographer must know how to use‬ ‭photographic equipment, lighting and editing software. If you're interested in becoming a portrait‬ ‭photographer, you can be a photographer for an assistant, study photography, in, associate or‬ ‭bachelor's degree program, or just be an entrepreneur. The pros and cons of being a portrait‬ ‭photographer is the gear is expensive, you're working alone, and there's no guaranteed income.‬ ‭But you have a lot of creative freedom, many diverse subjects to study, and there is continuous‬ ‭learning. One famous portrait photographer was Yusuf Karsh. He helped many promote a public‬ ‭figure such as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King. and so many more. He did this with his‬ ‭lighting and negative pictures.‬ ‭UNIT 2‬ ‭ ESSON 1:‬ L ‭Meeting Your Camera Emmert Wolf once said, "A man is only as good as his tools. " What did‬ ‭he mean? Well, in order to do a job well, knowing how to use the tools is important.‬ ‭ photographer can plan in their minds what they want their photo to look like, but they need to‬ A ‭know how to work their cameras in a way that will allow them to get that photo! Let's learn more‬ ‭about point-and-shoot cameras, the tools of the trade that we will be using.‬ ‭ hat will you learn in this unit?‬ W ‭After studying this unit, you will be able to: Explore the basic functions of point-and-shoot‬ ‭cameras Examine some of the basic features of point-and-shoot cameras Discuss some of the‬ ‭common risks to digital cameras Learn how to care for your camera so that it will continue to‬ ‭work effectively.‬ ‭ ave you ever been out west? Ansel Adams traveled to Yosemite‬ H ‭National Park when he was just 12 years old and fell in love with the‬ ‭beauty he saw. As Adams grew up, he learned that these beautiful‬ ‭areas were in danger. How could he help people understand that it‬ ‭was important to preserve these natural lands? By taking photographs!‬ ‭So he became a famous nature photographer. In order to allow people‬ ‭to see what he saw with his own eyes, Ansel relied on his trusty camera to capture the images for him.‬ ‭ ust like Ansel Adams, all good photographers must be camera‬ J ‭experts. They need to know the features and functions of their‬ ‭camera, how to take care of it, and be able to explain what every‬ ‭button does. If you want to be a great photographer, learning all‬ ‭about your camera will be the first step towards taking great‬ ‭photographs. Getting Acquainted Picking up a camera, pointing‬ ‭it, and pressing the button isn't all there is to taking a good‬ ‭photograph. If we don't understand how our camera works, we‬ ‭will end up with photographs that aren't very good. Add‬ ‭keywords here to make this summary more specific to a topic.‬ ‭Henri Cartier-Bresson, the father of photojournalism, once said,‬ ‭"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst. " How many‬ ‭photographs have you taken? Have you taken any photographs‬ ‭like the ones above? Everyone can become a great‬ ‭photographer; it just takes time. Like other forms of art, photography requires skill and patience‬ ‭to become great. You may not be creating the types of images that you want right now. By‬ ‭beginning your study of photography and practicing what you learn, you may become a great‬ ‭photographer in the future. We'll start our exploration of photography by introducing you to the‬ ‭basics of your digital camera and how to care for it.‬ ‭ ESSON 2:‬ L ‭If you've ever looked at cameras in a store, you probably noticed that there are many different‬ ‭kinds of cameras. Some cameras have lenses that can be taken off the camera and switched‬ ‭for others. Some cameras are large and use film to create the photograph. The two common‬ ‭types of cameras we will learn about are SLR, or single lens reflex cameras, and‬ ‭point-and-shoot cameras. With single lens reflex cameras, the photographer looks directly into‬ ‭the viewfinder and through the single lens. SLR cameras use a series of mirrors to project the‬ ‭image through the lens to the viewfinder of the camera. Point-and-shoot cameras are often‬ ‭smaller than SLR cameras, and their lenses usually can't be removed from the camera.‬ ‭Non-SLR cameras, including point-and-shoot cameras, use multiple lenses in the camera,‬ ‭rather than one lens like the SLR. Point-and-Shoot Cameras Let's focus on the use of‬ ‭point-and-shoot cameras. When you're checking out your point-and-shoot digital camera, here a‬ ‭some of the features you'll see. Lenses Depending on the type of camera you have, you will‬ ‭likely have one of the following lens setups. Fixed Focus Lenses Fixed focus lenses cannot be‬ ‭changed to focus on items closer or farther away. Many fixed focus lenses are adjusted so that‬ ‭most items in the photograph beyond a certain distance will be in focus. In other words, an item‬ ‭that is 14 feet away will be equally in focus with an item that is 7 feet away. Many camera‬ ‭phones and webcams have fixed focus lenses. Autofocus Lenses Autofocus lenses use sensors‬ ‭to determine the correct focus. An autofocus camera may have only one sensor or it may have‬ ‭many sensors that you can choose from. The camera measures the distance to the object in the‬ ‭sensor area. Built-in Flash Units Although not all cameras will have flash units, many‬ ‭ oint-and-shoot cameras have a flash unit that will go off to light up a dark scene. Automatic‬ p ‭Controls Most point-and-shoot cameras have automatic exposure settings. In other words, the‬ ‭camera does most of the work for you when it comes to figuring out the amount of light needed‬ ‭to create the image. Automatic settings cover both aperture and shutter speed. Aperture is the‬ ‭size of the opening in the camera that the light passes through. Shutter speed is the amount of‬ ‭time that the shutter remains open, letting light into the camera. Some cameras have manual‬ ‭exposure settings that allow the photographer to adjust the aperture and shutter speed to create‬ ‭different effects. As you learn about photography, you will want to begin experimenting with the‬ ‭manual settings if your camera allows you to do so. If you have ever used the camera on a cell‬ ‭phone or smartphone, you are already familiar with a point-and-shoot camera. All of the‬ ‭information that we'll discuss in this course can be used with the camera on a cell phone. You‬ ‭may find it easier to use a more traditional digital point-and-shoot camera because the camera‬ ‭may have more options to help you take your pictures.‬ ‭ ESSON 3:‬ L ‭Digital cameras today can have many different buttons and controls. Your owner's manual is the‬ ‭best place to begin learning about your camera and what it can do. Close up of a digital‬ ‭cameras' mode dial, with labels for Auto, Art, Scn, Video, M for manual, and more. Check your‬ ‭owner's manual to learn what settings and controls you have. Practice using them so that you‬ ‭know what each does and how it will impact your images. The Basics: Power, Shutter, Zoom‬ ‭However, let's cover some of the basic controls that you'll find on your camera and that you'll‬ ‭need for this course. Power Button The power button or switch turns your camera on and off. It's‬ ‭important to note that many cameras will power down on their own after a certain amount of‬ ‭time in order to save battery power. Your owner's manual will have information about this. It will‬ ‭tell you how you can adjust this amount of time if you find that it powers down too quickly for‬ ‭you. Shutter Release The shutter release is the button that you push to take a photograph. It is‬ ‭generally on the top of the camera on the right side. In some cases, it is possible to push the‬ ‭button about halfway down to focus on a particular object in the scene before you actually take‬ ‭the picture. Zoom Most digital cameras today have the ability to zoom in or to make an object‬ ‭look closer in the image than it really is to the photographer. The distance that a camera can‬ ‭zoom depends on the digital camera. Hand presses on the shutter release while checking the‬ ‭operation of the digital camera. This photographer is ready to press the shutter release button to‬ ‭take a picture. Where is the shutter release button on your camera? What Are the Technical‬ ‭Parts of My Camera? In addition, you'll want to know about some of the technical parts of the‬ ‭camera. Let's Keep It Simple for Now Your camera may have many other buttons and technical‬ ‭parts. Many digital cameras today allow photographers to make different adjustments or‬ ‭changes to their camera's settings. As you continue to learn more about photography, you'll‬ ‭want to take some time to learn about these different camera functions and practice using them.‬ ‭Sunset across the bay silhouettes a man standing on a pier using a long telephoto lens attached‬ ‭to his digital camera to take a picture. This photographer is using a telephoto lens to make‬ ‭objects appear closer in the photograph than they are in reality. A point-and-shoot camera‬ ‭doesn't have this same type of telephoto lens. It can often zoom in to make objects that are far‬ ‭away look closer. For now, we will focus on the basics of taking photographs with just the basic‬ ‭buttons or functions that we discussed earlier. Because all digital cameras have these basic‬ f‭unctions, you will be able to complete all of the assignments and tasks with your camera. If you‬ ‭happen to have a digital camera with more features and functions, read your owner's manual so‬ ‭that you can understand these extra functions better. Spend your time right now getting‬ ‭comfortable looking through the camera lens and taking pictures. We will be learning more‬ ‭about ways to create a photograph. When you do learn to use more advanced features, you'll‬ ‭already have the basics of taking images down.‬ ‭ ESSON 4:‬ L ‭Taking Care of Your Camera Digital camera lays completely unassembled and in a giant heap‬ ‭upon a white surface. You can't take many pictures if your camera looks like this! Taking care of‬ ‭your camera is an important part of photography. You have a digital camera and want to take‬ ‭photographs-hopefully for a long time to come! To do so, you'll need to take care of your camera‬ ‭so that it works properly and so that it works when you need it to. What can you do to prevent‬ ‭water damage? Buy a waterproof camera or a waterproof casing for your camera. If your‬ ‭camera does get wet, try opening up the camera. Like computers, cell phones, and other digital‬ ‭devices, the shock on the camera from hitting that hard surface can leave you with a camera‬ ‭that just doesn't work anymore. Most camera accidents happen because we get careless and‬ ‭forget to take care of our equipment. Some of these situations are: An old camera strap breaks‬ ‭or comes loose from the camera Setting the camera down where it may get knocked to the‬ ‭ground Setting the camera down someplace that isn't stable Putting the camera in an unzipped‬ ‭camera bag Take a look at this photographer. His camera waves wildly as he scrambles under‬ ‭the branch. If the strap has any damage or if it's fraying, replace the camera strap. Use a‬ ‭camera bag and zip the bag when the camera is inside it. Our photographer should have placed‬ ‭his camera in its bag and secured it. His dangling camera is an accident waiting to happen. If‬ ‭you lay your camera down, make sure it is in a stable spot. If climbing the tree is the only option,‬ ‭the photographer should have asked himself whether the photograph was really worth the‬ ‭possible danger to himself and the camera. Dirt Would you pour dirt on your camera? Most‬ ‭photographers would answer this question with a quick "NO!" Yet, keeping your camera away‬ ‭from dirt, sand, dust, and other elements is not as easy as it sounds. If you want to photograph‬ ‭a beach at sunset or an eagle on a mountaintop, you'll be putting your camera at risk for‬ ‭damage from dirt. Young boy lays on his stomach on a sandy beach and photographs a small‬ ‭shell, with the camera strap firmly positioned around his neck. Beach photography is fun and‬ ‭interesting but be careful not to drop your camera in the sand! If it does happen to you, brush‬ ‭the sand off carefully and try not to get it into any of the openings around the camera. While dirt‬ ‭on the outside of your camera doesn't have much of an effect unless it scratches the lens, dirt‬ ‭on the inside of the camera can be very bad and even disastrous. Each of these issues can‬ ‭create major problems for a camera. With traditional film cameras, there was also a risk of‬ ‭getting dirt into the camera when the photographer changed the film roll.‬ ‭ ESSON 5:‬ L ‭General Camera Care In addition to avoiding the common camera problems, you can protect‬ ‭your camera and any other photography equipment that you have by following some simple‬ ‭steps. Camera bags come in many different shapes and sizes. When looking for a camera bag,‬ ‭look for something comfortable that will carry the equipment that you want to use. This bag has‬ ‭enough room for a laptop, but you may just want a small bag with enough room for your camera‬ ‭and another set of batteries. Taking care of your camera doesn't have to be difficult. It just‬ ‭means that you need to be careful with your camera. This can take a little thought and practice‬ ‭but taking care of your camera will help keep it working and taking high quality images for you.‬ ‭Knowledge Check Test your knowledge of new information by answering these questions, and‬ ‭then review the feedback. Conclusion Now you have been introduced to a point-and-shoot‬ ‭camera. Although many cameras today operate almost automatically, you will find it helpful to‬ ‭understand at least the basic functions of your camera. As you experiment and learn more,‬ ‭you'll be better prepared to learn more about photography and to put that knowledge to use. The‬ ‭more you get to know your camera, the more it can start to feel like a friend or even a member‬ ‭of your family in a way! Following the simple care guidelines can help you maintain a camera‬ ‭that works well whenever you push the button to take a photograph.‬ ‭UNIT 3:‬ ‭ hotography as Art‬ P ‭Even if you know how to use your camera to take photos, it’s not just a matter of “point and‬ ‭shoot. ” Part of being a strong photographer is understanding how to apply techniques from art‬ ‭and design to your photos. This enables you to create stronger, more striking images that‬ ‭communicate your message to your audience. We will be learning about the elements of art and‬ ‭principles of design as well as how to critique pieces of visual art just like art critics. By‬ ‭understanding the questions art critics ask themselves when judging a piece of artwork, you can‬ ‭ask yourself the same questions about your own work!‬ ‭ hat will you learn in this unit?‬ W ‭After studying this unit, you will be able to:‬ ‭Discuss and identify the elements of art‬ ‭Review the principles of design‬ ‭Apply aesthetic scanning to evaluate a piece of art‬ ‭Use the four-step method of art criticism to evaluate a piece of art‬ ‭ ESSON 1:‬ L ‭Expressing Ourselves Through Photographs Introduction Is photography art? This question has‬ ‭been asked for almost 200 years. Museums have photography exhibits and many art schools‬ ‭have dedicated photography programs. People value photography, and photos hang in many‬ ‭people's homes for decoration. People value photography so much that a photo by Peter Lik, a‬ ‭landscape photographer from Australia, recently sold for $6. 5 million. Do you think photography‬ ‭is art? Why or why not? Let's take a look at one of the most widely-accepted forms of art:‬ ‭paintings. Photographs as Art We can all agree that paintings are art. Did you know that there‬ ‭are many similarities between photography and painting? Photograph of Mt. Fuji rises into a‬ ‭bright blue sky, devoid of clouds, while the foreground is filled with a ridge of trees. A‬ ‭photograph, like a painting, is carefully positioned to highlight the subject. Painters and‬ ‭photographers both spend time composing their images and thinking about the elements of‬ ‭design. They both carefully select subjects for their images, and the subjects are often the‬ ‭same! People, landscapes, and objects like fruit are the subjects of countless paintings and‬ ‭photographs. Painting of Mt. Fuji, shows a white mountain rising into a dull, overcast sky, with‬ ‭the foreground filled with wisps and masses of trees. With the subject highlighted, like a‬ ‭photograph, painters use their creativity to artistically convey the subject. What other similarities‬ ‭can you think of between painting and photography? Today, painters and photographers both‬ ‭work to create specific images, but it wasn't always possible for photographers to do so.‬ ‭Controlling Photographs At first, photographers had very little control over the images that their‬ ‭cameras produced. As the technology developed, photographers were able to begin making‬ ‭choices that impacted the outcome of their photographs. By making equipment choices such as‬ ‭choosing different cameras, lenses, lighting, or film, photographers began directly influencing‬ ‭their final product. Photographers also spend time thinking about the framing and timing of a‬ ‭shot. A well-framed shot grabs the viewer's attention and can draw the audience's eye to certain‬ ‭parts of the image. We will be learning some techniques to frame our shots and make them‬ ‭attractive, including the principles of design. The principles of design are a set of rules that‬ ‭artists use to make their artwork visually pleasing. Just like other visual artists, good‬ ‭photographers use the elements of art, which are the building blocks of all art pieces, to craft‬ ‭strong images. Today, photographers have tons of tools to deliberately create art with their‬ ‭cameras. Not only can they use all types of equipment, and apply the elements of art and‬ ‭principles of design, but they can also use photo editing and digital enhancements like filters to‬ ‭shape their photographs into valuable works of art.‬ ‭ ESSON 2:‬ L ‭Elements of Art Every piece of visual art that has ever been created, from sculptures to digital‬ ‭photos, has one thing in common. By combining these elements in various amounts, artists‬ ‭create striking pieces of visual art. In much the same way that you might mix up a batch of‬ ‭cookies with all your favorite ingredients, artists select the elements of art that they need to‬ ‭accomplish their purpose. They add a little of this element and a little of that element until they‬ ‭have the effect they were reaching for. Let's take a look at each of the seven elements of art.‬ ‭We certainly see the results of using specific "Ingredients" in photos! Let's learn a little more‬ ‭about each of these ingredients, or elements, to see how they can be used to create a great‬ ‭picture. Line Lines are exactly what they sound like: a mark made to connect two points. You‬ ‭can make an entire piece of art using only lines! Lines are the most basic building block of visual‬ ‭art. Many artists use lines to sketch outlines before painting or use lines to make a model before‬ ‭beginning to form a sculpture. These can be like the geometric shapes you think of from math‬ ‭class: squares, circles, and triangles. Or, they can be organic shapes that take inspiration from‬ ‭nature such as leaves and clouds. Photographers often look for interesting shapes to help draw‬ ‭their audience's eye to a specific spot in a photograph. Just like shape, form can be‬ ‭demonstrated with geometric shapes such as cubes, spheres, and pyramids. Form is very‬ ‭important to artists known as architects. Form is also important to other visual artists such as‬ ‭sculptors and potters. Color Color can make a huge impact in a piece of art. It can be used to‬ ‭make the audience feel emotions, to highlight an object or image, to create a pattern, or as a‬ ‭symbol. Colors often make us think of something specific, although this feeling is sometimes‬ ‭linked to our culture. Most people would agree that the color red is a signal telling you to stop or‬ ‭indicating danger. The Black and white photo shows a mountain range rising in the distance with‬ ‭a meandering river snaking its way through the valley, all flanked by shadows and shading. He‬ ‭is known for using contrast in his black and white photographs to highlight certain areas and‬ ‭create interest. The lightest color is white, and the darkest color is black. Value in art is so‬ ‭important that there is a word in Italian that actually means "The use of light and dark in a piece‬ ‭of art. " Ansel Adams is well known for his use of value in his photographs. Value adds interest‬ ‭to an image or can draw the eye to certain parts of the artwork that the artist is trying to‬ ‭highlight. Space Space is the placement of objects within a piece of art. Positive space is an‬ ‭area where something is located. Negative space is all the area that doesn't have an object.‬ ‭Think of a picture of a mountain range with a clear blue sky. The mountains would all be positive‬ ‭space-there is something located there, a mountain! The area around the mountains would be‬ ‭negative space. Artists often think about the foreground, middleground, and background when‬ ‭applying space as an element of art to their images. When looking at a photograph, things near‬ ‭the front of the image are in the foreground, those at the back of the image are in the‬ ‭background, and those in the middle are considered to be in the middle ground. Texture‬ ‭Feathers from a parrot colored purple, blue, teal, green, and yellow fill the frame. Texture can be‬ ‭how something would feel if it was touched, or how it looks like it would feel. Some visual artists‬ ‭use actual objects to make art such as candy, hangers, or duct tape. These pieces of art could‬ ‭be touched with your hand. Other pieces of art such as paintings and photographs use texture‬ ‭because you know how it would feel, if you could feel it. Artists might paint or take a photograph‬ ‭of a bed. By understanding these seven elements of art, you are on your way to taking more‬ ‭powerful photographs. Just like adding ingredients to cookie dough to make a delicious creation,‬ ‭ ou can add these elements to your photos to make them stronger and more striking. Now let's‬ y ‭take a look at another concept that artists use to elevate their artwork.‬ ‭ ESSON 3:‬ L ‭Principles of Design The principles of design are almost like a checklist for building a strong‬ ‭piece of art. Visual artists can use these seven principles to make sure that the message they‬ ‭are trying to communicate through their artwork ends up being the message that the audience‬ ‭sees. On the other hand, art critics can use these principles to check whether the piece of art‬ ‭they are viewing is successful or not. It's important to remember that your personal opinion,‬ ‭whether you like the art or not, is not a big part of the reviewing process. When taking‬ ‭photographs, you can use the following principles of design to help make sure you are creating‬ ‭strong, interesting pieces of art. Emphasis Emphasis is used to help the audience see the most‬ ‭important part of the image first. If emphasis is used skillfully, it isn't obvious. Usually, the artist‬ ‭highlights an area of the image by making it contrast with the rest of the image. Pattern Pattern‬ ‭is a repeating image or shape throughout a piece of art. Artists have turned all kinds of things‬ ‭into patterns in their images. Photographers frequently look for patterns in cities, but they can‬ ‭also be found in nature. Taking a photograph of a subway wall with repeating tiles is an example‬ ‭of a pattern in the city. In nature, a photographer might take a photo of a spider web or use‬ ‭macro photography to capture an image of a single leaf. Swirling seas create white waves‬ ‭throughout the water as it churns violently. Can you hear and feel the movement in this‬ ‭photograph? Movement doesn't mean that the image is actually moving, it refers to the‬ ‭movement of the audience's eye across the image. This is a very common principle of design‬ ‭that is applied to photography. By using lines in your photographs, you can guide your‬ ‭audience's eye to view your image in a certain order. Balance All of the objects in a photograph‬ ‭have visual weight. When applying balance to a photograph, the artist can choose to create‬ ‭symmetrical balance or asymmetrical balance. Let's take a look at the difference between these‬ ‭two. Rhythm Rhythm is created when parts of the design are repeated to convey a feeling of‬ ‭movement. It can be created with straight or curved lines or objects. Unlike pattern, when‬ ‭applying rhythm to an image, you must also consider the spacing between parts of the design.‬ ‭Unlike pattern, rhythm can be created with parts of the design that aren't the same. Black and‬ ‭white photo of the top portion of a bridge with many wires securing the bridge, which form‬ ‭patterns and shapes against the sky. The lines securing the bridge form a rhythm of repeating‬ ‭shapes from negative space. Contrast When you have two opposites present in an image, the‬ ‭artist is using contrast. Something new against a background of something old, a bright white‬ ‭object surrounded by black objects, or a tiny seedling growing in front of a giant tree would all‬ ‭be examples of contrast. This design principle is generally used to draw the audience's eye to a‬ ‭specific part of the image or to add interest. Unity Unity is achieved through the use of similar‬ ‭colors, objects, or concepts in an image. Photographers can apply the principle of unity to their‬ ‭work by carefully thinking about the composition of their photo before they take it. A photo of a‬ ‭selection of similar toys or a grouping of red objects could be examples of unity. When a piece‬ ‭of art has unity, it feels visually complete. How does this work? Let's look at some examples of‬ ‭using these principles in real images. By applying these principles of design to your‬ ‭photographs, you will create more visually interesting images and communicate your message‬ ‭more clearly to your audience. You will also be using these principles when you critique other‬ ‭ ieces of visual artwork, including photographs. Practicing evaluating other pieces of art will‬ p ‭help you become more familiar with the principles of design and elements of art so that you can‬ ‭be a more successful photographer.‬ ‭ ESSON 4:‬ L ‭Being an Art Critic We are going to learn two different methods for critiquing art. This means‬ ‭deciding whether a piece of art is strong or not. Remember, your personal opinion, whether you‬ ‭like the piece of art or not, is not very important. There is a lot of art in the world that is not pretty‬ ‭or may make you uncomfortable, but it is still strong art. The artist is able to use the elements of‬ ‭art and principles of design to communicate a message with the audience, even if the message‬ ‭isn't pleasant. Aesthetic Scanning Aesthetic scanning is the first method for talking about art that‬ ‭we will try out. This method examines sensory, formal, technical, and expressive properties to‬ ‭critique a work of art. Take a look at this photograph as we talk about each of these ways of‬ ‭talking about art. Critiquing art involves several essential elements, such as sensory, formal,‬ ‭technical, and expressive critiques. Sensory Properties When art critics use aesthetic scanning,‬ ‭the first bucket of questions they ask about the piece of artwork are all about the elements of‬ ‭art: line, shape, form, color, value, space, and texture. Any questions you can think of about the‬ ‭elements of art are okay to ask here, the ones below are just examples. Are the colors in the‬ ‭piece of art bright or dull, warm or cold, bold or shy? This photograph is mainly black, white, and‬ ‭gray. What kinds of lines do you see in the piece of art? Are they straight or curved, jagged or‬ ‭smooth? This artist uses a lot of curved lines in the backs of the sheep, the sheep's hair, and the‬ ‭sheep's ears. Do you see texture in the piece of art? Is it bumpy or even, hard or soft, rough or‬ ‭smooth? There is a lot of implied texture in this photo. Formal Properties The second bucket of‬ ‭questions that art critics ask themselves are all about the principles of design: emphasis,‬ ‭pattern, movement, balance, rhythm, contrast, and unity. These are called the formal properties‬ ‭because they are an analysis of how the piece of art is organized. Is the piece of art‬ ‭symmetrical or asymmetrical? This image is symmetrical. What objects in the piece of art are‬ ‭most important? How does the artist communicate this to you? The most important object in this‬ ‭image is the dog. The other piece that the artist uses to draw your eye is the single black sheep.‬ ‭The contrast in color draws your eye to the black sheep's head. It is also interesting that the‬ ‭artist has a focus on the middleground of the image. Technical Properties The third bucket of‬ ‭questions deals with the technique and skill of the artist as well as the historical or social‬ ‭aspects of the time period when the art was created. These are called the technical properties‬ ‭because they begin to move you towards making a judgment of the piece of art. Anything the‬ ‭piece of art suggests to you about the techniques used by the artist, the materials or skills‬ ‭required to make the piece, or the historical, social, or cultural aspects of the time period when‬ ‭the art piece was created are fair to discuss in this section. Try answering the questions below‬ ‭for examples of questions critics might ask themselves about the technical properties: What kind‬ ‭of medium did the artist use? The medium of this piece of art is photography. Do you think the‬ ‭artist was skilled or unskilled? A photography expert or an amateur? Why? This artist appears to‬ ‭be skilled because they set up a visually interesting shot. The artist took into account lots of the‬ ‭principles of design to take a strong photograph. What might the artist have done to think about‬ ‭this shot or set it up in advance of taking the picture? The artist picked a certain time of day to‬ ‭capture the sheep awake and moving. Expressive Properties Young man stands and views art‬ ‭ isplayed in a gallery from a distance, to get the full feel for the work. The final bucket of‬ d ‭questions that art critics use is called expressive properties. These questions are all about the‬ ‭feeling, meaning, or values present in the piece of art. It's important to remember that these‬ ‭questions aren't asking you how you feel after viewing a piece of art. Instead, they are asking‬ ‭what feelings or meanings are present in the art. Try answering some possible questions an art‬ ‭critic might ask about expressive properties. Is the piece of art friendly or unfriendly, calm or‬ ‭angry, young or old? This photograph is friendly and a little chaotic because of the movement of‬ ‭the sheep. Is the art moving or standing still? Is it heavy or light, calm or exciting? This piece of‬ ‭art has both motion and stillness. The artist manages to capture both the calmness of the sheep‬ ‭dog and the excitement of the sheep. What is the message the artist is trying to convey? The‬ ‭artist is trying to convey the simple, routine practices of a farm. Aesthetic scanning can help you‬ ‭judge the strength of a piece of art. It also makes you more familiar with the elements of art and‬ ‭principles of design so you can apply them to your own work. There is another common‬ ‭technique for critiquing art called the four-step method of art criticism.‬ ‭ ESSON 5:‬ L ‭Four-Step Method of Art Criticism Just as its name suggests, the four-step method of art‬ ‭criticism has four steps: describing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating. Like we did in‬ ‭aesthetic scanning; we will be looking for the elements of art and principles of design as well as‬ ‭thinking about the artist and the medium of the piece of art. As we learn about these steps, let's‬ ‭use an image to critique as an example. Describing This first step in this method of art criticism‬ ‭is to describe what you see in the artwork as clearly as possible. You may need to do some‬ ‭research about the work of art and the artist to be able to complete this step. Describing the‬ ‭work of art might include the following types of information: The name of the artist The title of‬ ‭the work of art The medium that the artist used Information about the artist's life The shapes or‬ ‭images you see in the piece of art The size of the piece of artwork Black and white photograph‬ ‭of five soldiers raising an American flag at the top of a hill covered in the rubble of war, such as‬ ‭barb wire and debris. What do you think makes it famous? Photo by Joe Rosenthal, Public‬ ‭Domain. Analyzing This step lets you apply your knowledge of the elements of art and the‬ ‭principles of design. Take another look at the shapes or images you noticed in the last step and‬ ‭think about them through the lens of the elements of art. How did the artist create or show those‬ ‭images? Did the artist use lines, shapes, or forms? What colors are the images? Do they have‬ ‭texture? Now, what about the principles of design: What shapes or images do you see in the‬ ‭image? What medium was used? What is the title and artist? Do you know anything about the‬ ‭artist's life? It looks like there are five soldiers raising an American flag? How is the artwork‬ ‭balanced? Do the images form a pattern or demonstrate movement? Did the artist use contrast?‬ ‭Just like in aesthetic scanning, you can ask and answer any question you can think of that deals‬ ‭with the elements of art or principles of design. Continue to think about the photo of the soldiers‬ ‭as you consider and analyze. What shapes or images do you see in the image? What medium‬ ‭was used? What is the title and artist? Do you know anything about the artist's life? It looks like‬ ‭there are five soldiers raising an American flag. The negative space at the top of the image‬ ‭serves to emphasize the American flag. The bottom half of the image is very heavy, but the flag‬ ‭dominates the top half and lends weight. You may have found even more ways that the‬ ‭principles of design are used in this image! Interpreting This is when it gets fun! Now you will be‬ ‭ sing your ideas from describing and analyzing the piece of art, along with your knowledge from‬ u ‭life, to come up with your best guess about the meaning of the artwork. It can help to think about‬ ‭when the artist lived, where the artist lived, and any other information you gathered in the last‬ ‭two steps. Why did the artist create this piece? What message is the artist trying to‬ ‭communicate? Do you think there are symbols, images or patterns that represent something‬ ‭else, in this work of art? Let's examine our photo of the soldiers at Iwo Jima once more. Then‬ ‭ask yourself: Why did the artist create this piece? What message is he trying to communicate?‬ ‭How do you know? Are there symbols, images, or patterns that represent something else in this‬ ‭work of art? The artist created this piece to help the world understand what was happening on‬ ‭Iwo Jima and for people in the future to remember the war. These are just examples, and you‬ ‭may have been able to interpret even more information about the image! Evaluating Woman‬ ‭bends closer in a photography gallery to analyze it more closely. What does the photograph‬ ‭make you think about? Now you will take all the information and ideas you've gathered in the‬ ‭last three steps to make a judgement about the piece of art. In this method of art criticism, you‬ ‭can state your personal opinions, but they must be supported by information or reasons.‬ ‭Remember, just because a piece of art makes you uncomfortable or seems unattractive doesn't‬ ‭automatically mean that it is weak artwork. Do you like or dislike this work? Why? Was the artist‬ ‭successful in communicating his or her message? Why do you think that? Would you hang this‬ ‭piece of art in your room? Why or why not? Is it strong enough to hang in a museum? When it‬ ‭comes to the image of the soldiers who are raising the American flag, ask yourself these‬ ‭evaluation questions: communicating his message? I like this piece of artwork. I might not‬ ‭choose to hang it in my bedroom because it is a very serious, heavy image. The artist‬ ‭successfully uses many of the elements of art and principles of design to create a striking image‬ ‭that captures the eye. Part of evaluating an image with the four-step method of art criticism is‬ ‭drawing on your understanding of life, and everyone's understanding of life is unique. Although‬ ‭we only tried these two art criticism methods on photographs, they can be used to critique any‬ ‭type of visual art, from architecture to watercolor paintings. In the activity section, you will be‬ ‭using these two methods to practice critiquing other types of visual art! Knowledge Check Test‬ ‭your knowledge of new information by answering these questions, and then review the‬ ‭feedback. What principles of design is Kenny most likely thinking of as he plans his photograph?‬ ‭Kenny is most likely thinking of line and form as he sets up his shot. Kenny is most likely‬ ‭thinking of movement and contrast as he sets up his shot. Kenny is most likely thinking of line‬ ‭and rhythm as he sets up his shot. Kenny is most likely thinking of movement and pattern as he‬ ‭sets up his shot. Daouda is trying to use aesthetic scanning to analyze a piece of art. Thinking‬ ‭about applying the elements of art and principles of design will make you take photos that your‬ ‭teacher and audience will like better than the photos you took before. Being able to explain‬ ‭these elements and principles make you an expert photographer. Thinking about the elements‬ ‭of art and principles of design will help you take stronger, more attractive photos. Conclusion‬ ‭Understanding the elements of art, the principles of design, and the two methods of critiquing art‬ ‭discussed here will help you become a better photographer. Think about contrast and emphasis‬ ‭before you take the picture. How can you align your shots or time your photography sessions to‬ ‭create stronger images? You have the tools you need to improve your outcomes, now go try‬ ‭them out!‬