For many hundreds of years artists have been applying “principals” of art and design to enhance their output. These art principals are a matter of choice used to best portray the elements within a format. How can the use of principals aid in the way the viewer scans the image?
Although initially the principals evolved for the artist they can also be used by the artistic photographer who wishes to personalize his work. When one is aware of principals they can be perceived in how they were used in famous paintings hanging in museums. To the uninitiated they are not obvious, but they do control how the eye scans the image.
The use of principals is not a mechanical process, rather it is a means of selecting and applying a tested step in the making of the final image. Preferably being applied at the time of the exposure but also used in post exposure manipulation..
It is evident that many factors enter into the creation of an artistic image, basically they can be divided into three areas craft, art and creativity.
1. Craft being the control of the medium, the mechanical, optics, exposure, etc.
2. Art the means of presenting the image in the best way using art principals.
3. Creativity adding the personal touch, the signature of the maker.
There is a melding of the three areas in the creation of a personal image.
Self talk is a way to deliberate decisions of choice, here are a few examples.
How can I make my presentation a personal statement?
What is the best format for the elements?
Should the format be limited to the format of film or paper, or will another format offer the best arrangement of the main element and the supporting elements?
Where in the format is the strongest point to place the most important element?
How best to use contrast of density, size, color, tonality?
What is the best viewpoint, camera angle?
What exposure will result in the effect desired?
Why does the principal of using thirds work? How does it control eye movement? Which third is the strongest point?
What are implied lines? How do implied diagonal lines control eye movement?
How does the average person scan an image? What principles can be used to change this?
Though the beginner will be slow in applying principles, with time they become part of the intuitive process and pop up very quickly when needed.
