FORMAL ELEMENTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
There are some basic design principles in photography, generally known as formal elements, which all photographers should be mindful of when composing their images.
Formal elements are visual characteristics that can turn simple photos into amazing shots when used. The seven formal elements are:
Line
Form & Shape
Pattern
Tone
Colour
Texture
Space
EXPLANATION WITH MY WORK
Lines: You can use lines to guide the viewer through the frame or a specific point. These are known as "leading lines". These lines don't have to be straight but can be horizontal, vertical, curved, at an angle or random.
In this image, there are vertical and horizontal lines. The shadows help your eyes go to the main subject, the model standing in the middle ground. There are also other lines in the frame which help your eyes to scope the entire image. The blue handrail leads your eyes towards the man in the far back while the vertical lines on the ground lead you to the left.
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Shape & Form: Shape usually refers to a 2D outline of a subject while form refers to a figure that takes a 3D appearance. Successfully showing shape and form in your composition can turn figures and landscapes into an image's focal point. Using a range of lighting techniques and paying attention to shadows will improve the photographs' shapes and forms.
In this photograph, both shape and form are present in the frame. The different levels of light and shadows help give the shape form.
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Pattern: Symmetry and repetition can create interesting images. Flat and even lighting work effectively for patterns since it highlights the repeated feature in the frame, try different lighting techniques for 3D patterns.
This photo has a visible pattern and is symmetrical. The dark vertical shadows in the bottom right and top left corners frame the design and make the image balanced. The soft light and shadows outline the bars well, and nothing overpowers each other.
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Tone: Using contrast with light and dark areas to show depth in the image shows tone. This is especially relevant in black and white photography and can guide the viewer through the picture when there is no colour to concentrate their attention. You can also use various lighting techniques and contrast levels to bring out tonal ranges in the photographs.
This image shows detail in the frame, from what the man is wearing to the vinyl surrounding him. You can see every detail without anything overpowering each other. The man is still the main subject, but your eyes drift outwards because of the equal lighting.
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Colour: Having a distinct colour in an image can make a bold statement and express a mood and be striking. You can also pinpoint a particular colour and create a statement by making it stand out.
The bright colour of the plant makes your eyes instantly go towards it. It gives the feeling of spring in the bright light of the sun. The texture of the leaves also gives the image with character with the colour.
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Texture: Focusing on texture can bring the image to life and create a connection with the viewer. All surfaces and environments can create texture by using different levels of depth of field and lighting.
You can see the textural quality in the tree's trunk and even in the metal bars in this photograph. The tree is rough while the bars are smooth. You can also see bits of rust in the bars.
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Space: Having space in your photos create scale and brings depth to the image. It also creates breathing space for the main subject and allows the viewer to focus on the image's main features. It is especially useful in outdoor photography, where you can emphasis the scale of your surroundings.
The space in this image is used nicely with the location and what the subject is doing. The model is waiting to cross the road and seeing the car in the space in front works well. The light is also used well with the bright and darker parts in the photo.
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