Visual Language in Photography

Visual Language
	abstract: an image that emphasizes elements (line, shape, etc) rather than specific objects.
	content: the subject or the theme captured in a photograph.
	direct approach:  without using unusual angles or distortion.
	documentary photography: photographs whose main purpose is to record a place, people or event.
	expressive: expressing emotions.
	geometric shape: simple shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, etc.
	intention: reason for the photograph
	landscape: an image that portrays the natural environment or landscape.
	objective: a point of view free from a main subject.
	organic shape: natural shapes from things like trees, hills, forrests.
	representational: an image which shows recognizable subjects.
	subject: the main thing in the image.
	theme: a unifying or dominant idea or purpose of an image.

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Visual Elements Practice the use of these words by asking the following questions:
	focus: what areas appears sharp and what is out of focus?
	light: What time of day? what mood? what is the light trying to capture? to create shadows and other shapes.
	line:  are they pointing somewhere? or used in a picture?
	repetition: repeating shapes or themes in a photograph.
	shape: what shapes can you see? what do mood do they create?
	space: is there depth or is it a shallow depth of field? aperture? in focus or out?
	texture: what it would be like to touch it or feel it?
	value: what is the value light or dark?

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Composition of the Photograph
	angle: the vantage point from which the photograph was taken.
	background: the backdrop or scene of the picture.
	balance: is it symmetrical? rotated etc?
	central focus: the object most in focus.
	composition: the way in which the photograph is made or is composed.
	contour: the outline of an object or shape.
	contrast: the strong differences between dark and light.
	framing: the frames or rule of thirds may be used.
	setting: the location or setting for the photograph.
	vantage point: the place from which a photograph was taken.