Part 2 - summary

I've kind of struggled with this part of the course. I had great gusto when I started, but attacked things in a bit of a disjointed manner. I also set my expectations too high as to how quick I could finish this part - especially when I suddenly got really busy with work and so hit a brick wall and haven't really done anything at all for about 3 weeks.

So before I start the actual assignment I wanted to make a few notes on the subjects covered in the part.

Points
Small and in contrast to a relatively plain background. Can be created by lighting alone. Draws the eye strongly. Movement - the dynamic is created by drawing attention from the side of the frame to the point. Division - the point acts like a division, horizontally and vertically.

Multiple points
Results in multiple lines of movement and multiple points of division. Balance can be difficult to maintain, as can a sense of cohesion.

Lines
Depend on contrast. Can be by implication - need only a few points to imply a line. Relate to the frame.

Horizontal lines
Act like a base. Are static.

Vertical lines
More movement. More confrontational to the viewer.

Diagonals
Created by viewpoint, perspective, angle. Emphasises by wide-angle lenses. Greater sense of movement - contrast more with the frame. Physically unstable. Important in determining movement of eye within the frame.

Curves
Movement. Similarly to diagonal but more graceful.

Implied lines
Eye lines. Extension of a line. Continuation of movement.

Shapes
Shapes are both outline and enclosure - dependent on subject and lighting.

Regular shapes are more dominant in composition than irregular.

Contrast determines the strength of the shape.

Definable shape organises a picture. Encloses. Groups. Provides coherence.

Triangles
Dynamic - partly due to pointing and partly due to 2 diagonals. 2 sides willy imply a 3rd.

Perspective also plays a part.

Can be implied. 3 points will always produce a triangle.

Rectangles
Relate to the shape of the frame. Often man made. Less implied. Less imaginative. But demand precision - from an angle the perspective creates a trapezoid.

Circles
Hard to find. But is the tightest and most compact.

Rhythm and Pattern
Repetition creates a Visual beat.

Rhythm - movement across a picture
Pattern - essentially static, covers an area