Creating Meaning with Images
by Tonia Clark
ELEMENTS
SHAPE
Baking is one of my favorite things to do when time permits. These lemon cheesecakes represent the inorganic shape of perfect circles. Just as an apple triggers instant recognition of nostalgia, these tasty treats do the same for our family. Photo was taken during Thanksgiving 2011 with a Samsung Smartphone.
Baking is one of my favorite things to do when time permits. These lemon cheesecakes represent the inorganic shape of perfect circles. Just as an apple triggers instant recognition of nostalgia, these tasty treats do the same for our family. Photo was taken during Thanksgiving 2011 with a Samsung Smartphone.
SPACE
This photo was taken at the historic Rosemary Inn Bed & Breakfast in Augusta, Georgia. The home is filled with beautiful architecture from the antebellum era and this image was captured with a Nikon digital camera. One of the attributes of space is tricking the eye when reading positive and negative space; this photo is an example of an optical illusion. At first glance, the eye perceives this as a hardwood floor with a small lamp. However, it is actually the ceiling in the bedroom during my visit. Looking at the photo a second time, the viewer should notice that the light fixture is attached to the ceiling and not the floor.
This photo was taken at the historic Rosemary Inn Bed & Breakfast in Augusta, Georgia. The home is filled with beautiful architecture from the antebellum era and this image was captured with a Nikon digital camera. One of the attributes of space is tricking the eye when reading positive and negative space; this photo is an example of an optical illusion. At first glance, the eye perceives this as a hardwood floor with a small lamp. However, it is actually the ceiling in the bedroom during my visit. Looking at the photo a second time, the viewer should notice that the light fixture is attached to the ceiling and not the floor.
LINE
This community center room is filled with straight lines throughout the image. Starting from the ceiling, the tiles and lights are constructed with lines forming boxes. The windows and flooring shows the use of lines to form perfect squares in the form of boxes. Finally, the bottom of each wall is bordered with continuous black lines. Photo was taken with a Samsung Smartphone and the space was rented for a family event.
This community center room is filled with straight lines throughout the image. Starting from the ceiling, the tiles and lights are constructed with lines forming boxes. The windows and flooring shows the use of lines to form perfect squares in the form of boxes. Finally, the bottom of each wall is bordered with continuous black lines. Photo was taken with a Samsung Smartphone and the space was rented for a family event.
COLOR
Last spring, I decided to take on a gardening project and along with the help of a friend, this colorful knockout rose bush emerged after a few months. The dark pink rose petals immediately draws attention to the eyes of the viewer. The focus then moves to other flowers surrounding the rosebush. The day lilies and sprinkles of white from the guaras accent the vivid color of the roses. I used an LG Smartphone to take photo and Google editor for cropping.
Last spring, I decided to take on a gardening project and along with the help of a friend, this colorful knockout rose bush emerged after a few months. The dark pink rose petals immediately draws attention to the eyes of the viewer. The focus then moves to other flowers surrounding the rosebush. The day lilies and sprinkles of white from the guaras accent the vivid color of the roses. I used an LG Smartphone to take photo and Google editor for cropping.
PRINCIPLES
RHYTHM/PATTERN
The rhythm/pattern of circles, colors, and dots causes the eyes to perceive movement in this image. Notice the number of circles and colors on each line and the location of each dot within the circle. This pattern is repeated in the next sets of rows with a different color of circles and location of the dots. The sequence continues and the eyes follows the patterns throughout the image resulting in movement. The fabric of this image was taken from a chair in the lobby of my workplace. A Samsung smartphone was used to take photo and Google editor for cropping.
The rhythm/pattern of circles, colors, and dots causes the eyes to perceive movement in this image. Notice the number of circles and colors on each line and the location of each dot within the circle. This pattern is repeated in the next sets of rows with a different color of circles and location of the dots. The sequence continues and the eyes follows the patterns throughout the image resulting in movement. The fabric of this image was taken from a chair in the lobby of my workplace. A Samsung smartphone was used to take photo and Google editor for cropping.
MOVEMENT
The flow of curving lines communicates meandering movement in this image. The eyes are following the winding of each curved line evoking a swirling motion. This photo was captured with a Samsung Smartphone and is from the fabric of a pillow in my home. Google editor was used for cropping.
The flow of curving lines communicates meandering movement in this image. The eyes are following the winding of each curved line evoking a swirling motion. This photo was captured with a Samsung Smartphone and is from the fabric of a pillow in my home. Google editor was used for cropping.
FOCAL POINT
As an element of art, only one focal point should appear in an image. This photo automatically moves the eye to point of entry to my pet, Pepper. Although there are other objects (grass, concrete, ball, etc.) surrounding the focal point, emphasis is only placed on the dominant part of photo. This image was taken in my backyard with a Samsung Smartphone and Windows Photo Editor for cropping.
As an element of art, only one focal point should appear in an image. This photo automatically moves the eye to point of entry to my pet, Pepper. Although there are other objects (grass, concrete, ball, etc.) surrounding the focal point, emphasis is only placed on the dominant part of photo. This image was taken in my backyard with a Samsung Smartphone and Windows Photo Editor for cropping.
UNITY
In order to form unity, all parts of the design should have visual links that work together. The cupcakes in this photo are unified because the decorations of each one sends a visual message that they belong together. I took this image during a cupcake decorating class with an LG Smartphone and used Google Editor for cropping.
In order to form unity, all parts of the design should have visual links that work together. The cupcakes in this photo are unified because the decorations of each one sends a visual message that they belong together. I took this image during a cupcake decorating class with an LG Smartphone and used Google Editor for cropping.
COMBINATIONS: ELEMENTS/PRINCIPLES
SHAPE-RHYTHM/PATTERN
The rectangular shape and design on each cookie in this family favorite dessert, combines the art element of shape and the principle of rhythm/pattern. The viewer of this image will notice that each cookie is comprised of rectangular shape and special design. The eyes will then see that together a pattern is forming throughout the layout. Photo was taken during a family holiday gathering with a Samsung Smartphone and Google Editor was used for cropping.
The rectangular shape and design on each cookie in this family favorite dessert, combines the art element of shape and the principle of rhythm/pattern. The viewer of this image will notice that each cookie is comprised of rectangular shape and special design. The eyes will then see that together a pattern is forming throughout the layout. Photo was taken during a family holiday gathering with a Samsung Smartphone and Google Editor was used for cropping.
LINE/BALANCE
This image was taken in downtown Decatur, GA and is the old DeKalb County Courthouse. This historic landmark is rich with the unique use of lines around the windows, along the columns, steps, and railings to form balance in the eyes of the viewer. I used a Samsung Smartphone and Google Editor for cropping in order to show balance in this image.
This image was taken in downtown Decatur, GA and is the old DeKalb County Courthouse. This historic landmark is rich with the unique use of lines around the windows, along the columns, steps, and railings to form balance in the eyes of the viewer. I used a Samsung Smartphone and Google Editor for cropping in order to show balance in this image.
TEXTURE/UNITY
Located in front of the Old Courthouse in downtown Decatur, GA, this bronze sculpture of a happy couple combines the art element of texture and the principle of unity. The metal of the statue shows the texture and sets it apart from other objects in this image. The closeness of the couple demonstrates unity in the eyes of the viewer. Image was shot with a Samsung Smartphone.
Located in front of the Old Courthouse in downtown Decatur, GA, this bronze sculpture of a happy couple combines the art element of texture and the principle of unity. The metal of the statue shows the texture and sets it apart from other objects in this image. The closeness of the couple demonstrates unity in the eyes of the viewer. Image was shot with a Samsung Smartphone.
VALUE/FOCAL POINT
In the eyes of the viewer, the tones of light and dark add value to the focal point in this photo. Visual interest is immediately drawn to the puppy and marks the location where the eye's attention is focused. The position of the light and dark makes the object even more intriguing. This is a picture of my pet on his first day home and was taken with a Samsung Smartphone. I used Google Editor to transform this image to black and white.
In the eyes of the viewer, the tones of light and dark add value to the focal point in this photo. Visual interest is immediately drawn to the puppy and marks the location where the eye's attention is focused. The position of the light and dark makes the object even more intriguing. This is a picture of my pet on his first day home and was taken with a Samsung Smartphone. I used Google Editor to transform this image to black and white.
GESTALT THEORY
CLOSURE
In order to form closure, we mentally fill in the gaps to complete a perceived shape. In this image, we fill in the gap to complete the triangle shape located in the center. A pillow from my home was used to capture Gestalt's theory of closure. I used a Samsung Smartphone to take photo and Google Editor for cropping.
In order to form closure, we mentally fill in the gaps to complete a perceived shape. In this image, we fill in the gap to complete the triangle shape located in the center. A pillow from my home was used to capture Gestalt's theory of closure. I used a Samsung Smartphone to take photo and Google Editor for cropping.
PROXIMITY
Located in Sandy Springs, GA in the Perimeter center business district, these office buildings are known as the "King and Queen Towers." These structures are positioned close together and give us the perception that they belong to the same group. Although their sizes and tops are different, the Gestalt theory of proximity sends a message to our brains that they belong together. This image was taken with a Samsung Smartphone and Google Editor was used for cropping.
Located in Sandy Springs, GA in the Perimeter center business district, these office buildings are known as the "King and Queen Towers." These structures are positioned close together and give us the perception that they belong to the same group. Although their sizes and tops are different, the Gestalt theory of proximity sends a message to our brains that they belong together. This image was taken with a Samsung Smartphone and Google Editor was used for cropping.
SIMILARITY
The Gestalt theory of similarity occurs when we group things together with similar properties such as color or shape. In this photo, our minds group the similar colors of blue and white and the circular shape of the cupcakes. This image was taken a at a graduation party with a Samsung Smartphone. |
CONTINUITY
This photo represents the continuous pattern of the cross beyond its ending points. The Gestalt theory of continuity allows our minds to see the black cross in the image instead of the joining of the four lines. I used a Samsung Smartphone to capture the design from a dress and used Google Editor to crop edges of the photo.
This photo represents the continuous pattern of the cross beyond its ending points. The Gestalt theory of continuity allows our minds to see the black cross in the image instead of the joining of the four lines. I used a Samsung Smartphone to capture the design from a dress and used Google Editor to crop edges of the photo.
REFLECTION
Many years have gone by since I was enrolled in an art class. The experience gained from this assignment was valuable and insightful. When I began working on this assignment, I was quickly reminded that art is everyone and I began to see it all around me. I thoroughly enjoyed perusing numerous photos to find the different representations of art. During certain points, it was challenging for me to find photos that fit all of the art forms and forced me to think of creative ways to show them. This would be a fun and engaging assignment for students to learn how to read images. It also gives them the opportunity to be creative and share their interests with others. I am looking forward to sharing this activity with colleagues to help them create meaning with images for themselves and their students.