The three levels of emphasis are:
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dominant element,
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sub-dominant elements,
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subordinate elements.
[Guided Search]
The principle of emphasis can be seen from different perspectives so it is important to be exposed to different viewpoints. Click http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/cgdt/emphasis.htm to view design theory websites or using your internet search engine, enter “principles of design emphasis” or “design principles emphasis” as a search term. You should view several different websites to ensure that you read a number of different articles on emphasis and view a wide variety of examples.
When you are done, ask yourself if you feel confident that you can identify the type of emphasis present in an image and how that emphasis creates the focal point of the composition.
[Rule of Thirds]
In Western cultures, the viewer is naturally drawn to read or view things from left to right horizontally. Other cultures read or view things from right to left and some cultures even read from top to bottom! The rule of thirds is a compositional tool that guides photographers and media artists in the placement of the primary emphasis. Basically, take any frame or image and divide it into thirds placing the main elements of the composition on the lines.
[Tip]
Someone once said that rules were to be broken. Sometimes it is ok to “break” the rule of thirds.
[Guided Search]
There are multiple websites with detailed descriptions on how the rule of thirds works and when can you deviate from the rule. You can also find excellent illustrations of each. Using your internet search engine, enter “rule of thirds” as a search term. Look at several different websites and examine the example images that illustrate the rule of thirds. You can also view http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html for an excellent article. Another excellent webpage that really helps understand the power of "rule of thirds" in composing a photo can be found at http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/rule-of-thirds.htm.
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[Project]
Continuing with the project that you started in this training room, you are going to continue building a visual composition in the form of an illustrative poster or presentation slide that will demonstrate the principles of design. Use a camera or image editing software to capture/create examples of each type of emphasis. Now add a brief caption for each image that describes the 3 types of emphasis in your image. Superimpose a grid to add the rule of thirds to your image. Add “Emphasis” as a title to your composition.
Principle of Design - Emphasis
Emphasis is the intentional direction of the photographer to some aspect of the photo. There are several different ways that can be employed to create emphasis in a visual composition.
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Emphasis can be intensified using contrast
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Geometric shapes are dominant
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Colour adds emphasis
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Use positioning to create emphasis by isolation
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Focus creates emphasis
For most impact, place the important information in the composition according to the rule of thirds.
The dominant element is the large bright orange circle
The sub-dominant elements are the 3 coloured squares
The subordinate elements are the remaining grey squares