Composition shapes and colours

Raddii - this is a connection of lines meeting in the centre and it is also a expansion of lines leaving the centre of an image. Radii are usually found in nature. One example of the man-made Radii is the spokes of a wheel on a car. Eyes have two ways to go - either drawn into the picture area or led out of the picture area or image. Be careful how you use the Radii and try to have the eye led into the image.

A Cross shows an opposing force that will give the picture a feeling of cohesion. Now, the horizontal bar of the Cross will act as a stopper while the vertical pole can act as a leading line in the image. For example, the windows in a large skyscraper will form crosses and will keep your interest in the image. A Cross also has religious meaning and the subtle use of the Cross can give hidden meaning to an image.

The rectangle makes an attractive frame in the image. Use it to accentuate important subject matter. Often it's a frame within a frame in an image. For example, a tree with an overhanging branch at the right side of the picture area will form a rectangle and help frame the main subject in the imabe. You will make the centre of interest stand out and be noticed clearly in the image.

The use of colour can also help in Photo-Composition by drawing attention to the subjects and objects of interest. Note, the eye will always go to the brightest and lightest colours in an image. Watch the play of colours at all times and make sure they are doing what you desire.

Now, the Value of colours are Intensity, Brightness and Luminance Factor values. Colours are said to have Strong or Weak Values in photographic terms. Colours can be Warm or Cold, Advancing or Receding in value. Physics shows that the longer wavelengths from Red to Yellow are usually described as Strong, Warm, Advancing colours. The shorter wavelengths, the Greens and Blues are described as Weak, Cold and Receding.

Now, pastel colors are Quiet and Moody while Bright colors are Strong and Active in value. Certain colours react very strongly with each other to give Strong Contrasts and will become Discords rather than Harmonies in practice.

Now, hue is the scientific counterpart for the more popular word colour used in every day life. Now, red, Yellow, Green and Blue are the Primary hues, while Orange, Blue-Green, and Violet are Secondary hues in science.

Also in physics, complementary colours that go with each other will complement each other and are desirable in any painting or image. Place the Primary and Secondary colors on a Colour Wheel and you will find that Red will be opposite Green; Orange will be opposite Blue etc. Note that these opposites are Complementary Colours and can be used together to create the best Color Harmony in an image. A Red barn in a Green field of grass has harmony in the image. Blue and Orange sky of a sunset has colour harmony as well. Look for Complementary Colours in the visual image you plan to photograph and use them to create better images.