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Recursos Adicionales
Eye-Catching Images
A GUIDE TO MAKING YOUR IMAGES POP

Not all images are eye-catching or interesting. We have adapted the principles of design that
graphic designers use to make their designs striking and applied them to photography to help
you create more engaging images. While you most likely will not use every element in every
image, these are principles that you should think through when planning out your images.

CONTRAST: Contrast is how different the elements are in a photograph. Examples of this could
be using contrasting colors, or different textures. If everything in the image is sleek and smooth it
will have a different feeling than if it combines smooth and rough items.

This image shows how This image demonstrates

color can be used to contrast in texture by
create contrast. The pop pairing a shaggy rug with
of neon green draws your smooth organic shapes.
eye right to the focus of
the image.

BALANCE: Every item in a photograph carries visual weight. There are two types of balance -
asymmetrical and symmetrical. Asymmetrical uses elements of different weights typically not
centered in the photography. Symmetrical lays out items of the same weight typically along the
centerline of the image. Symmetry looks more planned while asymmetry looks more accidental.

This image is an example Here is an example of

of symmetrical balance - asymmetrical balance -
each object is the same the emphasis is on the
size and they are lined up packaging which is the
along the center plane of largest item and the other
the image. items are varied in sizes
and arranged to bring
balance to the composi-
tion.

WHITE SPACE: White space is also known as “negative space” and it refers to empty space in
the photograph, the place where the eye can breath. Photos with lots of white space feel lighter
while photos with less white space feel heavier. Even when creating an image with less white
space, make sure there are still places in the image that the eye can “rest.”
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Curso de Nombre del Profesor

ATIVE
Recursos Adicionales

This image has a lot of This image has very little

white space - the props white space, but there are
are very minimal and still some empty spaces
there is lots of empty that allow the eye to
space. “rest” and travel through
the photo. It feels much
heavier than the image
on the left.

EMPHASIS: The part of an image that is supposed to stand out the most. Typically in commercial
product photography you would want this to be the product you are shooting, but it could vary
depending on the goal of the image. You can create emphasis through placement, or using
other principles such as contrast, color, etc.

The product is empha- The blue of the bottle is

sized in this image by unique in this scene and
being placed in the pops against the pink,
center on a pedestal. The bringing emphasis to the
props are leading directly bottle. The stream of
to the product which liquid leads to the second
helps it to stand out even most important part of the
more. image - the glass.

MOVEMENT: Movement refers to the way that the eye moves through the image. You typically
want the eye to either start at the most important spot and then be guided through the rest of
the image, or start at a point and be guided to the most important object. The way that items are
placed will help to direct the eyes.

In this image, the eye The fabric is used in this

starts at arm and then is image to draw the eye to
directed to the most from left to right and
important object which is straight to the candle.
the bottle of vitamins.
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PROPORTION: This is the size of the objects in an image in relation to each other. Typically
larger items will be of more importance. You usually want to make sure that you include items of
varying sizes in your images.

The tallest item in this Here is an example of an

shot is the bottle of wine image where the product
which is also the empha- is not the largest item but
sis. All of the other items is still the focus. Note the
are different sizes. One of varying sizes of the props
the burgers has been cut throughout the whole
off so it isn’t the same image.
size as the other burger.

REPETITION: You can use repetition to make a point, or to strengthen and unify an image. For
example, if there is green in the label of the product, you could include other green elements to
tie the image together.

Repetition in the orange The repeating theme in

slices creates a pattern this image is junk food
that becomes the back- which shows the cravings
ground but also empha- that women experience.
sizes the main ingredient The product is also
and flavor in this product. repeated throughout the
image as well as the color
pink.

COLOR: Color communicates the mood and can evoke emotion. Learning color theory will help
you understand what different colors mean and how colors work together. Brighter colored
images will have more energy than images with muted colors.

The monochromatic pink The green in this image is

in this image creates a used to show the natural,
playful, girly, party scene. herbal ingredients while
the orange on the
sleeves is a contrasting
color and draws the eyes
to the focus which is the
bottle of product.