The formal elements of photography usually consist of line, shape, focus, texture, repetition/pattern, value/tone, and space.

Lines are seen in all photographs, an element seen in many areas, no matter the subject and context.

Lines usually consist of the following: Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal, and Curved. Horizontal lines are typically seen to create a sense of stability and restfulness. However, it can create drama and rhythm when layered despite their calmer nature. Vertical lines can convey different feelings according to their surroundings; they can present a sense of growth and other variations. Diagonal lines are a symbol of instability due to their tilted position. Lastly, curved lines are much seen in nature and can create a sense of familiarity.

Shapes are vital elements in photographs and can contrast with their background, create recognition of an object, and are usually easily identified. Shapes can be taken differently in the same picture depending on the audience’s perspective on this subject.

Repetition/Pattern is seen in many photographs and is defined as repeated shapes and forms presented to the audience. Due to each object’s likeliness, these pictures usually do not consist of a subject but instead, a pattern that shows a relationship between the repeating objects.

Surface/Texture can be seen in both the natural world and urban life. Texture fills photographs with detail, a different sense of depth and design. Texture without its sense of depth and contrast due to lighting creating a 3D understanding of feeling is a pattern consisting of shapes. It can create visual interest and provide information and context to the picture.

The value/tone is the differentiating colors seen in photography and how the lightness and darkness can affect the pictures entirely. The effects may vary from conveying a different mood to showing a foreign concept.

Lastly, the focus is the subject of a photograph and what the audience is usually attracted to first, conveying the overall message of the composition.

Images can consist of multiple elements at once, and I would argue that all the elements could exist within one composition.

 

Shown in the compositions above, both shape and lines seem to exist within these 5 pictures. In addition, repetition/pattern and texture are seen within the pillars, the leaf, and the plant. However, the focus could be noticed in the first picture and the leaf.

 

Paul Strand, an American photographer and filmmaker. He is well known for shaping photography as an art form in the 20th century.

“Abstraction, Twin Lakes, Connecticut”

In creating this piece, Paul Strand may be focused on the creation of shadows due to the lighting and how it makes shapes on an interesting composition of structures. In addition, the variations in the shades help contrast and create visual interest.

Though the title for this piece is highly fitting, I may name it “Lighting in Abstraction” Just to point out the usage of lighting and how it created this composition.

This piece by Paul Strand seems to have multiple elements, but every aspect seems to have an equal amount of attraction to the audience. In addition, it seems unusual to me how the larger shapes suddenly progress into noticeably smaller forms that seem representative of a pattern in the top right corner.

“Abstraction, Twin Lakes, Connecticut” may contain all the elements within photography. The usage of mirrored diagonal lines represents repetition, and lines, the shadows create large blocks of geometric shapes and can be classified as either shapes or lines. Furthermore, the texture of the structure is vague, but may be due to the camera, or could be a result of how the composition was captured. In this piece, all elements seem to be in focus, despite the differing attention the elements may receive. Lastly, the value/tone is presented through the lighting and slight gradations within the same block of colors. It is highlighted in the bottom left corner of the piece, as a lighter brown color shows a gradient with the dark, almost black shade.

In my perspective, what I value as best in this piece, is how this piece is representative of a myriad of ideas, it is susceptible to differing methods of interpretation and can display the many elements of photography. Above this, the composition seems to be visually compelling, and the structure creates a piece that many may remember.