Points (2.1a) - positioning a point

Requirement
6 to 12 photographs


Purpose
To show how points create attention and movement


Technical learning

Points are a fundamental design element

What is a point? 

• A subject becomes a 'point' where it is small in the frame and contrasts with its background (e.g. a boat on a larger expanse of water)

What role does it play? 

• It draws attention to the subject - if it fails to do this (say, if the subject is too large relative to its background), the subject is not, or stops being, a point

How do you position a point in the frame? 

• 3 options: middle, off-centre or near the edge. 
• However, your choice of location must add meaning or impact to the image
• Balance, equilibrium between the elements, is also important 

Project and images

1. Note as many situations of images with points
2. Review own past photographs and note obvious points
3. Shoot 3 images showing examples of points: middle, off centre and close to the edge of the frame.

Stable centred point, divides the frame symetrically
and holds the eye fixed in the middle. Contrast to create
the point comes from difference colour, sharpness and texture

Slightly off centre, forces the eye to explore the edges
of the frame before returning to the point.

Point in upper right part of frame, encourages the eye to
move to the framme edges, back to the subject and then to
repeat this journey. Creates tension.

• consider the relationship the point has in each frame, in terms of movement and division
• movement arises from the relationship between the points and the sides of the frame
• division arises from imaginary lines running through the  point across and down towards the edges of the frame.