Formal Elements of Photography

Photography is an enormous world and there are some principles and elements that can help you to make better images. These are the fundamental components of photography. They are the hand of a photographer, who shape his message or emotion and story through a lens. We will also be unpacking the interpretation of formal elements in photography and moving through each six discussed to date including line, shape, pattern texture tone focus.

What are Formal Elements in Photography?

In photography, formal elements are the basic visual properties of composition and impact in an image. This has to do with more than just the content of images, it is also a matter of how and where photographers use light, color, space as element which often carry ambiguous or symbolic meaning that narrative genres. These are the elements with which photographers can take their work to another level in terms of emotional and visual interest as well.

The Six Formal Elements of Photography:

1. Line: Lines, we can speak far longer because in fact they are one of the most primitive and simple forms of any thing in the field of photography. These can be vertical and horizontal, curved or diagonal in their positioning and they can lead the viewers eye through the picture in a given direction giving the picture some level of motion or flow. Lines may also be applied to establish tension, emphasis or balance and structure within the scene.

   Example: An excellent example of the use of line in photography is Ansel Adam’s monolith, the face of half dome. The vertical lines of mountain and the diagonal line of the shadow imbue the picture with dramatic sense of grandeur.

   

2. Shape: Shapes are the two-dimensional forms that define the boundaries of objects within an image. They can be geometric (such as circles, squares, and triangles) or organic (such as the shape of a leaf or a flower). Shapes can be used to create emphasis, contrast, or repetition within an image.

   Example: The iconic image “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Katsushika Hokusai is a masterful example of the use of shape in photography (or, in this case, traditional Japanese woodblock printing). The enormous wave, with its undulating curves and swirling shapes, dominates the composition and creates a sense of awe and power.

   

3. Pattern:  Patterns are repetitive elements that create a sense of rhythm and order in an image. They can be natural (such as stripes on zebras) or artificial (such as tiles on roofs). Patterns can be used to add interest, texture, or depth to images.

   Example: One specific approach of effective use of pattern in photography subject refer to an interesting street photography work of Vivian Maier. In her images there’s always some objects, such as windows of a building or lines on the sidewalk that have similar formations, which make the image very rhythmic.

   

4. Texture: Texture refers to the visual and tactile quality of an object’s surface. In photography, texture can be conveyed through lighting, shadows, and the use of depth of field. It can add dimension and realism to an image, making it feel more tactile and alive.

   Example: One of the best known examples of texture as one of the elements of a photo is a photograph called ‘Pepper No 30’ by Edward Weston.The photo depicts a peppercorn and its surface in detail: it captures the texture of the pepper grain. Shallow depth of field along with pulsating, soft light contributes to concentrating the viewer’s attention on the texture and form of the peppercorn thus offering the ‘pleasure of touch’.

   

5. Tone: Tone refers to the lightness or darkness of an image, as well as the overall mood or atmosphere it conveys. It can be manipulated through exposure, contrast, and the use of filters. Tone can be used to create a sense of warmth, coolness, happiness, or sadness.

   Example: A powerful example of tone in photography is Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother.” The image features a destitute woman and her children, with their faces etched in exhaustion and despair. The low-key lighting and muted tones create a sense of hopelessness and desperation that is deeply affecting.

   

6. Focus: Focus refers to the clarity or sharpness of an image. It determines which elements within the frame are in sharp focus and which are blurred. Focus can be used to draw attention to a particular subject or element, or to create a sense of depth and dimension.

   Example: One of the most famous focus example in photography  is Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare.” This picture portrays a moment of spontaneous humor and solidarity between two men on the street. The shallow depth of field and clear focus on the subjects’ faces gives the impression of closeness and immediacy that is fascinating.

   

Can an Image Show Just One Element at a Time?

While the image can highlight a single formal element, it is more likely that the images will contain several elements to a different degree. The secret is to utilize these ingredients in a way that is balanced and coherent so that they can be combined to form a solid and powerful composition. Nevertheless, the fact is undeniable that there are many images that promote one aspect only, such as Edward Weston’s “Pepper No. 30” which has the texture emphasizing, and Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare” which has the precise focus. In the end, the decision of which elements to stress the most is up to the photographer and it will be influenced by the subject, the required mood and atmosphere, and the composition of the image as a whole.

Citations:

Wikipedia contributors. “File:Tsunami by Hokusai 19th Century.Jpg.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tsunami_by_hokusai_19th_century.jpg&oldid=1098889935.

Wikimedia.org, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Ansel-adams-monolith-the-face-of-half-dome.jpg/1200px-Ansel-adams-monolith-the-face-of-half-dome.jpg. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

Gstatic.com, https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQSqWuJp8EdKHtlBSXVOzMpD_qSZCMUfBd-rA&s. Accessed 5 Sept. 2024.