Formal elements are elements in photography that are used to make a photo. The elements include line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, and focus.

Lines

👆 ‘New York City,’ 1974 by Harry Callahan

In photography, there are many objects that can act as lines in a photo. They can be straight, curvy, thin, or thick, and most of the time create direction and show movement and energy.

 

Shapes

👆 ‘Paper Self,’ 2012 by Abelardo Morell

Shapes can be straight-edged or curved but depending on how the photo is taken the shapes can bring a different feeling to the photo and how the viewer sees it.

 

Patterns

👆 Transparent City #12 by Michael Wolf

Objects, shapes, or lines can all create repetition in a photo, which produces a rhythm or pattern that appeals to the viewer. Occasionally, photos will also feature reflections or echoes in some aspects.

 

Texture

👆 ‘Ice,’ Lofoten, Norway, 2017 by Hans Strand

In most cases, texture adds visual interest to a photo, and really brings the viewer of the photo into the environment, as if touching what was inside the photo was possible.

 

Tone

👆 Salvage Series by Dan Ferro

Tones can range from dark to light. If a pure color was added to grey, there would be tone.

 

Focus

👆 Motion Flower, 1967 by Ernst Haas

Focus allows objects in a photo to appear clearer or sharper, while having other things blurred. This aspect may be “played around” with by photographers to create interesting effects.