SHAPE

"Shape" refers to the geometric or organic forms that create an image. They are often composed by lines, though the lines might not be distinct.

In the first image, the viewer is immediately wowed and focuses on the ceiling. Specifically, the shape of the room. It is very unique and dramatic and is beautiful to look at. The image focuses on more than just the lines that compose the image, but on the volume of the room, which is really all about the shape.

The second image again focuses on shape. As a maternity photo, the photographer is emphasizing the belly bump that signifies a new life, a new little baby starting to grow and ready to be born. Without using shape, it would be hard to express these concepts. This photo particularly emphasizes the idea of shape, and the flowing forms beautifully portray this exciting time.

My image at the bottom also focuses on shape very simply. The shape is actually the subject as well. It is not a concrete image, as the shape is made out of a shadow, but the lines form a flowing shape that the viewer perceives is the outline of a person - specifically, the form of the photographer. The viewer's eye is led by the shape, and that is what makes the image interesting.

LINE

Line refers to any stroke between two points, or it could go on as far as the eye can see. Lines make up shapes and so much of an image. Lines can vary, from being curvy or wavy or straight or jagged. They can be think or thin or consistent or squiggly.

The first image focuses on the idea of line. The converging lines of the railroad track are perceived as being very beautiful. That is the main emphasis of this image. It has the feel of journey and adventure because they go off into the distance as far as the eye can see, and the lines produce this effect.

The second image uses lines in a much more discrete way. The subject itself is not the lines, but all the lines of the books form a very cluttered image that shows how many books upon books are available to this little girl. It speaks to the benefit of having an education, and this little girl seems to be smart and taking advantage of that. The horizontal line of the shelf that she is sitting on also helps the viewer's eye know where to focus on; it leads the viewer to look at the little girl in the center. The use of line is part of form, and the form contributes to the subject and then content of the image.

My image also focuses in on lines. The lines provide a path for your eye to travel through the image and make the piece interesting to look at. Without the lines, there would not really be a composition or an image to look at. The lines form an interesting pattern that is enjoyable to look at.

VALUE

Value refers to the shades, or variation between lightness and darkness, of any color. Grayscale shows the wide range of values between black and white, and every color has this scale of value as well.

The first two images I selected because they both have rich, beautiful tones of brown that all differ. That is one of the primary aspects of these images that we first notice and think is beautiful. If they were all one value, they would not be half as beautiful or interesting. The lighter parts show the sunshine and or lights from inside, and the darker parts show shadows and add to the richness of the images.

The image I took at the bottom here isolates value quite a bit as well, because there is not all that much to look at in the picture besides the differing value of the color. The variation makes the image pleasing and beautiful. If it was all one value, it would not have the same effect at all.

FORM

Form is the "how" behind what we do as crafters of images. All of the pieces of an image contribute to the overall work, and each of these pieces make up the form. The direction lines go, the placement of subject, use of color, and so much more are all involved with the form of an image.

I felt like the images below did a good job at demonstrating the concept of form. In the first one, leading lines draw our eyes in to the subject of the picture - the couple near the middle. The walls really make the piece visually pleasing. Also, the couple is not placed exactly in the middle but off to the right, which follows the rule of thirds and makes it more visually pleasing. The warm light matches the concept of love and warmth in their relationship. Since this is an engagement picture, this is fitting. All of these considerations and more are what make up the image, and in this case are what make the image successful.

The next one I appreciated a lot because it shows a lot of attention to detail in regard to form. It is not just a randomly snapped picture of the bride and groom. The bride and groom are actually blurry - and interesting twist considering she was hired to take pictures of the wedding! However, this technical decision has positive consequences in the actual impression of the image. It gives the feeling that the bride and groom have a special moment right then, that no one else can really get a glimpse into. The attention to detail also signifies that this is a special event. Everything down to the tiniest part of the wedding seems perfect, showing what a special day it is.

The final image I took and felt really represented form. I thought it did this because the image itself would not be all that interesting if the form was not beautiful. The image somehow is beautiful. The subject falls off the center which is pleasing, and there is a lot of contrast. The light looks like it is dancing and the use of value adds a lot of depth and interest. The texture and detail make the image unique and interesting to look at.

CONTENT

"Content" refers to the meaning or message of an image, the thoughts and ideas that it conveys.

For instance, in this first image the subject is the two wedding rings that sit there. However, the content goes deeper than that - the image refers to the idea of two lives being joined as one. That two different people with two different symbolic rings are together and will be making vows to one another. The image of the two rings has a meaning beyond just that they are sitting there on a table - they represent a wedding, a union of two people.

The second image's content involves a woman and her son. They obviously live in a different part of the world than we do, and it looks like they could be quite poor. The boy looks saddened and like they are facing hardship. The woman looks hardened and like she is wary of the photographer. The content of this image touches on issues of people and humanity and social justice, of poverty and love and the specialness of being created in the image of God. We resonate with two people in completely different circumstances than us, and have a hard time reconciling and understanding the differences we see in the conditions they live in. It is hard for us to feel settled while looking at her and her child's faces.

The third image is one that I took. I felt this conveyed the topic of content well. We are able to see someone's feet as they cross a bridge in a scenic and wild area. It makes us think of adventure and journeys and wonder where she is going. The direction of the bridge and the direction she is walking all hint to a greater story than just a simple image of a random object.

SUBJECT

Subject refers to what the image focuses on, the object or person that the picture is all about. The image captures a certain topic or glimpse into life, and the main emphasis is the subject.

The first picture I picked has a lot going on, yet the subject is very clear. It is the man doing a fancy jump as he is dancing. Everyone else in the image is looking at him, which clues the viewer in to look along with the crowd. He is doing something fancy and is centered in the image.

The second image I picked has a very clear subject - the teacup candle. Not only is everything else not in focus, but it has lighter values and the eye is drawn right to the teacup. The subject of the teacup gives the feeling of delicateness and daintiness, which ties into the larger subject of a wedding and the elegance of such a special occasion. It focuses in on the accents and style that the bride wanted on her day.

The final image is one that I took and it has an interesting subject - a bright yellow fire hydrant. It is interestingly beautiful because of the bright colors and the small yellow flowers that tie the image together. It is kind of an odd and peculiar image, but the subject is quite apparent due to the color.