Assignment Two: Elements of Design

Assignment 2- Elements of Design

The aim for this assignment was to use what I've learned throughout the past exercises to produce a set of 10-15 photographs of a particular subject showing:

Single point dominating the composition
Two points
Several points in a deliberate shape
Combination of vertical and horizontal lines
Diagonals
Curves
Distinct, even if irregular shapes
At least two kinds of implied triangle
Rhythm
Pattern

I did struggle to settle on the subject at first. I decided on "flowers", then changed to "food". It took planning most of the images to realize that that subject really wasn't going to work for me in this assignment. So I finally chose my own subject, the seaside town of Skegness.  I think it gave me the freedom to get images that were still related to the subject, but more varied than in the other themes I chose before.  I also chose to convert all my images to black and white as in previous exercises to help concentrate more on the elements of design rather than getting distracted by the colour, and in some ways, by the subject. Although I think both the subject and elements of design are equally important and should both be used to compliment the other rather than choosing to focus on just one.

1. Single Point domination the composition 

Keeping my subject in mind, I headed to the sea first to find this post ideal for the single point. I chose to position the wind turbines in the background to keep some other interest besides the main subject without it getting too distracting and risk bringing more points into the picture. 

2. Two Points

I found two points one of the easier effects to find, leaving me with several pictures to choose for this one. I decided on this view of St Matthew's church. I aligned both points so they also make an implied diagonal line through the frame.

3. Several points in a deliberate shape

For some reason, i found this picture the most challenging to find, and I think that's reflected  in the outcome. It's a simple diamond pattern on the side of a house, created in both the shape of the points and the way they're positioned.

4. A combination of horizontal and vertical lines

This was intended for either horizontal and vertical lines or an implied triangle (by perspective), though I thought it better suited the former because of the bold and repetitive lines that make up the pattern on the building. I think it's slightly imbalanced with more verticals than horizontals (probably emphasised by using a portrait frame), but in my opinion, it still works for the assignment criteria.

5. Diagonals

I got this shot from underneath the pier of the metal supports that hold it up. I took several different angles of this, but I like the depth in this one by the lines converging though the frame towards the edge, creating diagonals from both the top and bottom supports and the ones in between. 

6. Curves

The Ferris wheel at the fairground provided a nice curved shape from both it's outline and the multiple "cars" it holds.

7. Distinct, even if irregular shapes

This photo was planned for "curves" but I though it was also suited for "distinct shapes". You can clearly see the flower in the centre, and the circular patterns around it.

8. Implied triangles

Implied triangles formed by both the two bottom points and the top of the lamp (apex at top) and by the shape of the actual lamp (inverted triangle). 

I also tried to create implied triangles using the people on the beach; an exercise which  I found interesting but I don't think it quite works due to the amount of other distractions in the picture that could be interpreted as points themselves. 

9. Rhythm

I like this one for rhythm, but i should have made sure all the posts were properly in focus as only the lamps further away are. To improve this, I would use a narrower aperture to ensure more of the picture is focused. 

10. Pattern

I had a few ideas for pattern while planning the assignment, but went for this picture of the side of St Matthew's rather than the pattern of the pavement or the more regularly shaped bricks of a modern building. I also chose to include the ivy as it adds interest and variation while not becoming too distracting or breaking up the pattern completely. As with previous exercises with pattern, it fills the entire frame, giving the viewer  little or no indication of scale.

In conclusion, I found the assignment very interesting and enjoyed looking for all the effects connected to one particular subject or theme as opposed to taking completely unrelated photo's. I found some of the pictures much more challenging than others. The several points in a deliberate shape and distinct,if irregular shapes I found the hardest, though they are the ones that in theory I think give the most freedom. It was also interesting to find that quite a few of the pictures overlapped in more than one category. For example, the picture I took intended for "curves" I felt better represented "distinct shapes" and "horizontal + Vertical" would have also qualified as an implied triangle. The past module has really helped introduce me to the Elements of design and how to use them effectively, as well as getting comfortable with subjects I wouldn't otherwise have chosen to photograph.