Formal Elements are the six basic elements that compose a photo: line, shape, pattern, texture, and tone, which are often used in combination.

Lines are an essential element of photography and are fundamental to photography, and depending on their placement, they can make or break the impression of a photo. So when taking a photo, it’s important to think about where to place your lines to capture a good shot.

Shapes are created through the organic connection of lines, and like lines, shapes have different feelings depending on their placement. For example, circles create a sense of harmony and balance, while triangles emphasize drama.

Pattern is a repetitive element in photography that is used to establish structure in a photo, and you can create a variety of patterns using lines, shapes, and tones.

Texture is a visual aspect of a picture that seems like it could be felt through touch, and it’s something that can add a sense of life and vitality to an otherwise flat and lifeless picture.

Tone refers to the level of brightness in a photo, which can create shadows or highlights in a photo. Most photographs use mostly light and dark tones.

Focus refers to the sharpest part of the photo and is often what photographers want to emphasize.

I think an image can show many different elements at once, because every image in the world has at least lines and tones, and you can build a lot of elements from small things, such as lines can be combined to make shapes, shapes can be organically transformed to make patterns, and colors can be used to make textures through tones.

“Understanding the 7 Formal Elements of Photography.” Focus, focus.picfair.com/articles/7-formal-elements-photography. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.