Photography is what one “sees”. When two people look at an image, each one will “see” it differently. After all, art is personal expression.
That being said, there are certain principles that create the foundation of great artwork. Keeping these few principles in mind while composing your image can greatly enhance your photography.
Seeing creatively is an important aspect of photography. In an image there can be various shapes, lines, colors and other elements of design; it is the interaction between these elements that defines how compelling an image is.
The principles of design
The principles of design are concepts used to organize and arrange the structural visual elements of design that we discussed last time. The principles integrate the elements and build on each other. A good way to think about a principle of design is that it is something that can be repeatedly applied with the different elements to produce unity and harmony in a composition.
The art of composition is the ability to effectively arrange the various elements of an image in such a way that the resulting photograph expresses what you want to communicate. It’s very likely that you may already intuitively arrange elements so they "look right" but learning these principles of design may help you to better understand how to communicate with your audience and create the image you are after.
1. Balance:
Balance refers to the arrangement of objects and the visual equilibrium they create in an image. Balance is created when lines, textures, colors, and shapes are combined harmoniously, equalizing the visual impact of each element in the image. The elements within the composition have a sense of “weight” visually, the positioning of which can leave an image feeling either balanced or unbalanced.
An unbalanced image will feel like there is something missing and causes discomfort for the viewer; this is different, however, from an asymmetrical composition. In a symmetrical composition elements are evenly placed in an image or the two sides of the composition mirror each other.
An asymmetrical composition is when visual elements are unevenly placed in an image. Both, however, can be successful.
Although asymmetrical balance often appears more casual and less planned, it takes greater thought to balance larger objects against smaller ones, or large areas of color against smaller areas. The position of the elements is critical in an asymmetrical composition; a heavy visual weight on one side can usually be balanced by a lighter one on the other.
2. Movement:
Movement in an image can be both literal and compositional.
Literal movement is actual physical movement in the image. Examples of literal movement in food photography include: pouring, shaking, tearing, and eating. Compositional movement is the movement of the viewer’s eye through the composition to the areas of emphasis.
Unlike sequential art forms such as music or film, a photograph is revealed to the viewer at once. The photographer needs to create an area of emphasis, a focal point, which will lead the viewer through the frame as they take in the whole image.
Compositional movement can be directed by lines, shapes, or colors. For example, two similar shapes, even on different sides of an image, will lead the eye from one to the other.
3. Pattern:
Pattern is the repetition of elements such as shape, texture or form. Patterns create a rhythm that the eyes enjoy following and give a sense of structure to an image. Rhythm is based on repetition; an easy way to achieve rhythm is by using similar shapes.
There are different ways to use patterns. It can be used as the main subject but is more often used as a supporting element to enhance a composition. Supporting element patterns strengthen and add interest to your main subject.
When lines, shapes, and colors within a picture occur in an orderly way, they create patterns that can enhance the focus of an image. Pattern, like texture, is found almost everywhere; you just have to keep an eye out.
4. Scale and Proportion:
Scale and Proportion are closely tied to one another and affect the overall feel of an image. When an image lacks proper scale and proportion it can feel unsettling but when used well, they give an image a feeling of harmony.
Scale refers to the overall size of an object within the frame. Proportion is the relative size of objects to one another. A good example of proportion in terms of food photography would be the relationship of the food and the way it is plated.
The principles of scale and proportion are also tied to emphasis and focal point. Don’t be afraid to experiment with scale and proportion, sometimes an intentionally over-scaled object can become a focal point and can have a dynamic effect on an image.
The end goal is to keep the visual elements and principles of design in mind when composing an image.
When creating your image ask yourself: How do things look? Does what you see in the viewfinder match with what you envisioned? How can you use lines, shapes, space, colors and texture to create a sense of balance, movement, pattern, or proportion?
Everyone’s creative process is different; experiment and find what works for you.
(A big thank you to everyone who took the time to send in their photos)
Read part one of the food photography series: Learning the Visual Elements of Design.
Read part 3 of the food photography series: Prop Styling with Paula Walters
Read part 4 of the food photography series: Food Styling Q &A with Tami Hardeman
Coming up soon in the photography series is going to be a Q&A with a food stylist and she wants YOUR questions!
So if you've ever had anything you've wanted to know about food styling this is your chance to ask. Just leave your question for her in the comments or you can email them to me at gourmandeinthekitchen[at]gmail[dot]com.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Jamie says
Indeed, a great series, especially for those of us who are more verbal than visual. A gorgeous selection of images you have selected, too. Beautiful. But what annoys me as someone who looks at a lot of blogs and who reads a lot of food magazines - something that no one seems to discuss - is the trend of a photo being over-stylized to the point of being clichéd; the trend of styling a certain way so many photos by the same photographer end up all looking like the same photo; the trend of styling a certain way becoming the "accepted" way to style so many bloggers end up offering us the same basic photo. Does this make sense? Like writing, photos should not only be personal to the person taking it but should fluctuate in mood, emotion, setting for the same person. What do you think about this? It just seems that in the world of food blogs there are so many fabulous photos out there and super talented photographers now but also way too much of the same old, same old.
Kitchen Belleicious says
I love reading all your tips and tricks. I learn so much from you! Thanks for doing this series. I definitely need to learn some new things! Hope you had a great weekend!
p.s. you know you could just come and take all my pics for me and then I wouldn't have to learn anything! LOL!
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
Really well written post Sylvie! I enjoyed reading this 🙂
Cristina, from Buenos Aires to Paris says
I had read this post a few days ago..(didn't have time to write a comment) and I remembered it SO much today, when I saw the unbalanced photos I had taken !!!
Thanks for all the tips!
claudia lamascolo says
It's a diffinite gift to be able to follow all the photography rules of pure flawless execution every time. I can see it requires alot more work than my amatuer shots show. This is very helpful, I admire those foodies that get it, understand it and embrace it.. these are just gorgeous, it like interior decorating I cant do that either~ thanks for showing me how its really done... this was just awesome~
Moiz Khan says
I am surely going to apply these principles not only in food photography but other categories too
mycookinghut says
Great write-up!!
Karen says
Nicely done tutorial, Sylvie.
El says
Wonderful post. I love the shots you chose.
anh says
A brilliant post Sylvie! And thanks so much for including that cafe corner photo of mine.