Emphasis refers to the very first thing your eye sees when it looks at a photograph.
A good photographer can use Emphasis to really direct where they want the viewer to look first, and show what is most important inside the photograph.
Emphasis can be as simple as a different color, form, or material.
But Emphasis can be a little more complex:
Image by Steve McCurry. The Afghan woman. Published in National Geographic.
One of the most iconic portraits of the 20th century, McCurry’s photograph of a young Afghan woman has gained international recognition since first being published in National Geographic in 1985. The emphasis on the photograph is her sea-green eyes looking directly at the camera (and as the viewer, you). You can’t help but study her gaze as it seems not happy but not quite sad.
Emphasis can combine almost any element or principle of design but for this project, let’s take a look at three was to use emphasis:
- Color: place a bright vivid color against something dark or neutral
place an object that is the same as others in a photograph but different color.
- Perspective: Play around with where you photograph an object and its placement relative to the background. Large objects in a foreground are going to stick out more than something in the middle/background.
3. Line: Leading Lines can be used to direct the viewer’s attention to the subject / area in the photograph.
Your Assignment:
Today in-class (small teams):
Take a National Geographic Magazine and find an excellent photographic example of emphasis. With you team answer the questions and be prepared to share with the class.
- What form of emphasis is this? (color, size, leading lines, shape)
- Why is this image so successful? How does the viewer look at the photograph? (hint: movement…how does the viewer’s eye look around the image)
Make sure to catch up on the emphasis lesson here
Create 3 photographs that demonstrate:
- Good emphasis using color
- Good emphasis using perspective / size
- Good emphasis using leading lines
The Photo Class Place 