space. Principles of organization The artist determines what the center of interest (focus in photography) of the art work will be, and composes the elements accordingly. The gaze of the viewer will then tend to linger over these points of interest, elements are arranged with consideration of several factors (known variously as the principles of organization, principles of art, or principles of design) into a harmonious whole which works together to produce the desired statement – a phenomenon commonly referred to as unity. Such factors in composition should not be confused with the elements of art (or elements of design) themselves. For example, shape is an element; the usage of shape is characterized by various principles. Some principles of organization affecting the composition of a picture are: Shape and proportion Positioning/orientation/balance/harmony among the elements The area within the field of view used for the picture ("cropping") The path or direction followed by the viewer's eye when they observe the image. Negative space Color Contrast: the value, or degree of lightness and darkness, used within the picture. Arrangement: for example, use of the golden mean or the rule of thirds Lines Rhythm Illumination or lighting Repetition (sometimes building into pattern; rhythm also comes into play, as does geometry) Perspective Breaking the rules can create tension or unease, yet it can add interest to the picture if used carefully Viewpoint (leading with the eye) The position of the viewer can strongly influence the aesthetics of an image, even if the subject is entirely imaginary and viewed "within the mind's eye". Not only does it influence the elements within the picture, but it also influences the viewer's interpretation of the subject. For example, if a boy is photographed from above, perhaps from the eye level of an adult, he is diminished in stature. A photograph taken at the child's level would treat him as an equal, and one taken from below could result in an impression of dominance. Therefore, the photographer is choosing the viewer's positioning. A subject can be rendered more dramatic when it fills the frame. There exists a tendency to perceive things as larger than they actually are, and filling the frame fulfills this psychological mechanism. This can be used to eliminate distractions from the background. In photography, altering the position of the camera can change the image so that the subject has fewer or more distractions with which to