Line

Lines can be used to direct the viewer's attention. It is a visual element of length 

and can guide the eye to create perspective. Line defines to direction and position of 

the design. It can also create visual interest and convey a message in the image. 

Colour

A component of light. The colour we see is influenced by the characteristics of 

the source. Colour has three properties, they are hue, saturation and value.  

Hue is the name of the colour. 

Saturation is the purity of the colour 

Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour 

Value/Tone

Value in photography represents how dark or light colour. Tone is the levels  

of brightness in the photograph. Tone is the lightness or darkness of an object.

Texture

Texture is the visual quality of the surface of an object. It brings life and vibrance 

to images that would otherwise appear flat. Texture can also be rough, smooth, spikey etc. 

Balance

Balance is a compositional technique that involves arranging the main subject and 

Other elements within the frame of a photograph. There are three main types of balance 

Horizontal balance, vertical balance and radial balance. 

Contrast

Contrast is the variation between light and dark in an image. Lower contrast photos 

Have little difference between colours and can appear dull or flat. Creates visual excitement and adds interest to the work. 

Emphasis

Refers to the technique of drawing attention to a particular subject or element. Its used to 

create dominance and focus in designs.  

Repetition

Can be the images main subject instead of being a tool. Repetition means using repeating shapes or a repetitive pattern inside the frame. It works within the pattern to make the artwork seem 

Active. Can create interest, movement and harmony.  

Movement

Using elements to direct a viewer's eye along a path. Show action and direction. Gives a  

viewer a strong sense of what would happen if the scene "unpaused". 

Rhythm

Rhythm and movement work together to create the visual element of a musical beat.  

repetition or alternation of visual elements within a scene, can achieve these through lines, shapes, colours and textures.  

Scale and Proportion

Proportion allows us to give a scale of values, it establishes a relationship between the size of a photographic element. Refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The golden ratio and rule of thirds are thought to be naturally pleasing.

Variety

Consists of the differences in objects that add interest to a visual image. Breaking a pattern can enliven a visual image. Using different colours, shapes or objects, also by varying the angles from which the photo is taken using different lighting.

Pattern

Can add visual excitement to an image, can be found anywhere and is completely seen within shapes, colours or textures. 

Volume

Extension in three dimensions of a region of space, can be assessed in height, width and depth. Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object in a three dimensional space.

Unity

A principle if visual design using tone, shape, line, colour, texture and space. Harmony of the whole composition. 

Harmony

Is well presented where no parts of an image feels out of place, all parts of the visual image relates to a complement each other. Pulls the pieces of a visual image together. Patterns or shapes helps achieve harmony.