Visual Photography Vocabulary
By: Nikki Thompson
CONTENT
DEFINITION:The subject of the photograph
Photo by: Erinhkw
The subject is a baby shown at different angles.
ABSTRACT
DEFINITION: An image that
has formal elements (lines, shapes, etc.) that are not recognizable shapes
Photo by: Rialynn
This photograph shows different colors, shapes, and lines that do not form any shapes or objects we can give a particular name to.
REPRESENTATIONAL
DEFINITION:An image with recognizable shapes
Photo by:Joan Dubanoski
In this photograph, we are able to tell the photograph is of apples based on the shape and the color.
EXPRESSIVE
DEFINITION:Communicates emotion
Photo by: Angela Thompson
In this picture, there is a smiling toddler. A smiling toddler makes people smile, even if it is the littlest smile.
SUBJECT
DEFINITION:Who or what is in the photograph
Photo by: ammgramm
The subject in this photo is the vase of tulips.
THEME
DEFINITION:A unifying or dominant idea in a work of art or a collection
Photo by: Angela Thompson
Dogs are the theme of this dog cake. Even though the dogs are not present, it is understood this is for a dog because of the dog bones, treats, and training pads.
INTENTION
DEFINITION:Why the artist made a work of art
Photo by:Angela Thompson
The photographer is wanting others to think this frosted leaf looks neat and unique.
DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY
DEFINITION:The main purpose is to record a significant person, place, or event
Photo by: Sherry Oberle
In this photograph, this person is zip lining through Hocking Hills during the day time Canopy Tours. Going through the air, through trees, at about 75+ feet in the air is not an everyday event and should be documented.
LANDSCAPE
DEFINITION: Image of the natural environment
Photo by:Angela Thompson
This photograph is Mount Pleasant in Rising Park. This is part of the natural environment.
PORTRAIT
DEFINITION:A photograph of a person or people
Photo by:Angela Thompson
This photograph shows three girls in Rising Park.
FOCUS
DEFINITION:The clarity of objects in a photograph
Photo by:Donna aka Miz Booshay
In this photograph, the bikes are in clear focus and everything else is blurred.
LIGHT
DEFINITION:Source of, amount, and direction of light on objects in a photograph
Photo by:Ree Drummond
In this photograph, the lighting is hitting the front and not the back.
LINE
DEFINITION:A visible or invisible path between two points
Photo by:Ree Drummond
The girl in this photograph is looking at the bubble on the wand, making an invisible line, which draws you attention to the bubble.
GEOMETRIC SHAPE
DEFINITION:Photographs of simple shapes found in geometry
Photo by:Santini Roberto
Looking up, the glass makes squares.
ORGANIC SHAPE
DEFINITION:Shapes or object made from the natural environment
Photo by:Sherry Oberle
This photograph is of the Devil’s Bathtub in Hocking Hills. The Devil’s Bathtub is in an oval shape.
TEXTURE
DEFINITION:How the surface of an object appears to feel when touched
Photo by:Angela Thompson
The wall the Preying Mantis is sitting on looks rough and bumpy.
VALUE/TONES
DEFINITION:Dark colors to light colors
Photo by:Ree Drummond
This photograph has a boy blacked out in front of a colorful background, making the boy appear closer than the background.
ANGLE/VANTAGE POINT
DEFINITION:Angle the photographer took the picture
Photo by:Angela Thompson
The photographer of this image held the camera above the cup and at an angle to the left.
BACKGROUND
DEFINITION:Part of a picture that seems to be toward the back
Photo by:Angela Thompson
The hills and the sky are in the back of this landscape scene.
BALANCE
DEFINITION:How the image is distributed
Photo by:Andy Geraghty
If you were to take the picture and fold it in half, the two birds would be symmetrical.
CENTRAL FOCUS
DEFINITION:One object is more focused than the other
Photo by:Ahamed Iqbal
The person in the back is in a clear focus. The web-like object helps to focus it.
COMPOSITION
DEFINITION:Arrangement of formal elements that makes an image
Photo by:RawheaD Rex
The photographer has arranged the photo so that the contour of the bridge is visually appealing.
CONTOUR
DEFINITION:Outline of an object or shape
Photo by:Steve Jurvetson
The lines in the snow contours the shape of a S or Snake.
CONTRAST
DEFINITION:Differences between texture, values, and lines
Photo by:Angela Thompson
Around the edges, the lighting is darker than around the head of the cat.
FRAMING
DEFINITION:Object placed within the boundaries of the photograph
Photo by:Sherry Oberle
The most important parts of the photograph, the cat and the bag, are in the middle and the least important parts are around the outside.
RULE OF THREES/THIRDS
DEFINTION:Main object is in one-third of the entire photograph
Photo by:Liz Masoner
The building is the right 1/3 part of the photograph.
SETTING
DEFINITION:Actual physicalSurroundings Or scenery
Photo by:Allanah Thompson
There is a swamp like area around the Alligators.