The phrase of ‘Formal Elements’ in photography means the different fundamental components or the visual features that creates up the whole image, these elements helps to compose the structure and conception of a photograph, which can guide audience’s eye and convey the meaning.

The six formal elements that we discussed in photography are lines, shapes, patterns, texture, tone and focus:

Lines are an common and powerful element that can be present in straight, curved, vertical, horizontal, and diagonal forms, it can helps to lead and create the sense of movement and emphasizes the subject matter.Shapes are the two-dimensional subject that is created by lines, it can rather be geometric, such as squares and circles, or organic like flowers and shells. Shapes can compose the framework and create the pattern, which can emphasize the main subject, build up the contrast and highlight the visual flow.
Patterns are elements or shapes that repeat themselves in an predictable way, patterns can enhance the impact of an image by portraying  and holding the viewer’s attention with  different shapes or colors.

Texture is the feel or quality of an object or surface, it is revealed through the difference in shape, tone and color depth. Capturing the texture in the photo can help to add visual effects, highlight unique patterns, and evoke emotions through the scene.

Tone are the values from bright to dark, it refers to the level of brightness in the photo, which can helps to create different mood and add contrast between colors to make more visual effects through the photo.

Focus is the most highlight area in the photo, it can shows the process of photographers making adjustments to find the most maximum resolution, sharpness, and contrast of the chosen subject. Focus can help to draw audience’s attention, which helps to emphasize the subject that photographers were planing to show.

Emphasis Through Size in Photography

By looking through different photos, I believe an image can show more than one element each time. Photos can conveys different message and ideas from the scene that is being captured, by combining various elements together, the picture can portrays more visual effects and conveys more emotions to the audience. For example, a photo that is focusing on shapes can include patterns, tones and line elements inside, these elements can help to enhance visual view and the interest through the image, which emphasizes the subject that the photographer was trying to show and making the photo more attractive for audience to view on.

 

Citations:

  1. Dima. “Shape in Photography [Examples & Definition].” Mylio Photos Blog, 1 Jan. 2024, inspire.mylio.com/shapes-in-photography/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
  2. Anthony, Jordan. “Emphasis in Photography – What Is Emphasis in Photography?” Art in Context, 12 July 2023, https://artincontext.org/emphasis-in-photography/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.