Nashville National Cemetery 10/2020
Gestalt Principles and Exercise
'Gestalt' meaning form in German, is a study of how our perception follows patterns to identify and differentiate objects and environments in our field of view.
The Gestalt Principles are rules that help to organize the way our minds process visual stimulus. As our eyes absorb light from our surroundings, our brain learns to process that information and creates short cuts to identify faster. This happens quickly and subconsciously. The principles allow us to reflect on those processes more specifically.
To make artwork that is easy to read and is organized, the Gestalt Principles can be used as a guide to better compose the artwork in a way that is easier and more pleasant for the eye to view. When taking photographs they are a guide to cropping and finding a focus or common theme in your surroundings. When painting, it can help to make the paint more convincing as a representation by creating proper contrast and relation between components of the artwork and imitate the way objects are differentiated in our natural field of vision.
1. Figure-Ground
Focusing on an object or form that differs from its background due to distance. Perceiving objects as foreground and background, and finding a figure or focus that is perceived as an object over a common surrounding.
Unknown Figure, 2020. Digital Photograph.
2. Similarity
When there are more than one figures that share common characteristics, the brain connects them and forms groupings. These groups are formed from similar shape, color, or visual composition.
BB 102, 2020. Digital Photograph.
3. Proximity
Figures or objects closer to each other are grouped and appear related. The chief characteristic shared is their location in relation to each other and the spaces between. There is a stronger connect with proximity than similarity and it can override similar aspects. If for example there is a gap between a group of similar objects, it would create two groups even though they look the same.
National Cemetery Proximity, 2020. Digital Photograph.
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