Compelling Photographs: The Elements and Principles of Design

It’s probably not the first thing you think about when you’re going to make a picture.  But an awareness of the Elements and Principles of Design will help improve your work.  For some photographers, this article will be a review, for others, it will be new, but regardless, it will sharpen your photographic eye.
The Elements and Principles of Design are the backbone of photography and indeed, for all the visual arts.  This article takes a fresh look at what the Elements and Principles of Design are and how they can be used to make your photographs better.

LINES
Lines are the first of these Elements.  A line is a point in motion, with only one dimension-length, and the longer its length, the greater the visual importance.  There are many different types of lines and they will  have an impact on your photography.  Lines, just like colour, can also have an emotional impact as well.  Where do the lines take your eyes? In the above photograph, the clothes' lines take your eyes across the ...