Searching sxc.hu Tips

Searching for photos for the elements and principles PowerPoint using sxc.hu can be tricky.

****You can search for terms, but you can also click on BROWSE in the left sidebar and try browsing images in categories.***

Don't steal my examples. Think creatively and come up with your own.



For Line: Think of objects, places or things that might include LINES: Examples: Roads, Bridges, etc.

For Form: Think of 3D objects that someone may have photographed with a full range of value that makes the forms look 3D.  Examples: Architectural Columns, coffee mugs, etc.

For Shape:  Search for shapes, like rectangles, etc.

For Texture:  You can try using the word texture, but you will get the same photos as everyone else.  Try walls, wood, etc.

For Value:  Try finding an image where the photographer draws attention to an area/object by making it the lightest or darkest area of the image.  

For Space: Try finding a photo that shows deep space, or flat space....or uses the NEGATIVE space in a creative way.

For Color:  Don't just search COLOR, or COLORFUL.  Just because a photo is colorful, doesn't make it a great use of color.  Look for a photo that uses a particular color scheme. 

For Balance: Think of the different types of balance: Symmetry, Asymmetrical, or Radial Balance.

For Rhythym:  Don't search the word Rhythm... Look for objects/people/etc that are REPEATED in a photo. 

For Emphasis: Search for a photo that uses Art Elements to draw attention to the focal point of the image.  Remember the ways to emphasize something: Putting it in the center, making it large, giving it a lot of contrast, making it isolated, etc.)

For Proportion:  Proportion doesn't mean that something is large or small.  It means that it is large or small COMPARED to something else.  Look for things that are OUT OF PROPORTION.  This one is harder.

For Unity:  Do NOT search the term UNITY.  You will just find photos of people holding hands!! Look for a photo that uses an art element to make it all look like it "goes together."  For example:  

The repetition of the same shapes and colors in this images creates visual unity.


 

For Variety: This one is harder too. Don't just look for a variety of objects.  Look for something that ARTISTICALLY has variety.  A Variety of colors, shapes, forms, values, textures.  (Not JUST a variety of fruit, or seashells, or whatever)

For Movement: Look for one of the two different types of movement in photography.  One is actual or REAL movement that becomes blurred in the photo.  The other is IMPLIED movement and it occurs when something in the photo causes the viewer's eye to move around the image.