Focal Point & Placement
Lines & Shapes
Pattern, Texture & Repetition
Using Space
Keep Your Balance
Contrast & Visual Impact
100
This term describes the point in an image where the photographer wants the viewer's eye to go.
What is a focal point?
100
These can be real or imaginary and are used to direct the viewer's eye toward important elements.
What are leading lines?
100
This element of composition appeals to our sense of touch even though a photograph itself is two-dimensional.
What is texture?
100
In composition, this is the area occupied by the subject.
What is positive space?
The reading contrasts the subject's positive space with the empty area surrounding it.
100
This type of balance places visual elements of equal weight on both sides of a horizontal or vertical center line.
What is symmetrical balance?
100
This technique places unlike visual elements next to one another to intensify their characteristics or create meaning.
What is contrast?
200
This composition technique removes unnecessary elements so that the subject is clear and definitive.
This composition technique removes unnecessary elements so that the subject is clear and definitive.
200
True or False: Leading lines must be actual, visible lines such as roads, fences, or railroad tracks.
hey can be actual or implied lines.
200
Patterns can create this visual quality, similar to a beat in music.
What is rhythm?
200
The area surrounding the subject is called this.
What is negative space?
200
True or False: A composition must be symmetrical to be visually balanced.
What is False
200
Name three visual elements that the reading says can be used to create contrast.
shadow, light, color, size, shape, texture
300
The Rule of Thirds divides an image using this many horizontal and vertical lines.
What are two horizontal and two vertical lines?
Bonus: How many sections does that create?
300
Rivers, horizon lines, and mountain ridges are examples of this type of naturally occurring compositional device.
What are leading lines?
300
A photographer creates a row of identical red lockers and places one blue locker in the middle. What technique has the photographer used to create the focal point?
What is interrupting/breaking a pattern?
The reading explains that interrupting an established pattern shifts attention from the group to the individual.
(alternate answer: contrast)
300
A photographer places a tiny person against a huge, empty sky. Which compositional concept is most strongly being emphasized?
What is negative space?
300
A large person on the left side of a photograph is balanced by several smaller objects on the right. What type of balance is being used?
What is asymmetrical balance?
It uses differing visual elements of unequal weight to achieve balance.
300
Orange and blue placed together create strong contrast because they have this relationship on the color wheel.
What are complementary colors?
The reading identifies complementary colors as opposite one another on the color wheel and therefore producing the greatest contrast.
400
When using the Rule of Thirds for a landscape, the reading recommends placing this important line along either the upper or lower horizontal third.
What is the horizon?
400
According to the reading, this geometric shape is often used to suggest strength, hierarchy, and power dynamics between subjects.
What is a triangle?
400
This specific type of pattern relies on multiple iterations of the same subjects, colors, shapes, people, or other elements.
What is repetition?
400
This technique makes positive space take up most or all of the photograph.
What is fill the frame?
400
The visual elements spread outward from a central point. What type of balance is this?
What is radial balance?
400
Besides simply saying "contrast," identify the specific type of contrast and explain what it accomplishes.
Color contrast. The difference in light and shadow adds depth and dimension and can make the subject stand out from the background.
500
This composition technique begins with a diagonal across the image and adds lines from the remaining corners that intersect the diagonal at 90°.
What is the Golden Triangle?
500
What composition technique is being demonstrated?
What is frame within a frame? The reading specifically mentions doorways, windows, and furniture as possible framing elements.
500
Identify the technique and explain what it does to the viewer's attention.
Repetition.
Repeating the subject forces attention toward the focal point or message.
500
A photographer wants to fill the frame but cannot physically get closer to the subject. Name two other methods given in the reading that could accomplish the same result.
zoom lens, macro lens, or cropping during editing.
500
Explain one major visual difference between symmetrical balance and asymmetrical balance.
Symmetrical balance uses elements of equal visual weight on opposite sides of a center line,
Asymmetrical balance uses different elements of unequal weight that nevertheless create an overall sense of balance.
500
Final Jeopardy
This photograph uses several compositional techniques simultaneously. work as a team to identify as many techniques used. You must also explain how each was used. Write them down. The team with the most techniques wins 500 points.
- Leading Lines: The railing and curved curb move the eye through the frame toward the cyclist.
- Rule of Thirds: The cyclist occupies an off-center area rather than the middle of the composition.
- Shapes: Curves, rectangles, verticals, and geometric architectural forms organize the photograph.
- Pattern/Repetition: The repeated vertical bars of the railing and repeated stair forms create rhythm.
- Depth: The foreground staircase, middle-ground railing, and street/cyclist below create very distinct spatial layers.
- Contrast: The dark railing and cyclist contrast strongly against the lighter pavement and stairs.
- Angle: The elevated viewpoint looking down is also extremely important to how the photograph works.