Formal elements are the 6 techniques that allow images to include simple objects and turn them in to great photos, especially when photographers are trying to make their shots abstract and special. The formal elements are lines, shapes, textures, focus, tones and patterns.

1. Lines

In this photo, the railroad is in the middle of the photo, and it forms two straight lines. The lines are reflecting sunlight as it points to the direct center of the whole image. However, the background environment presents a very calm mood, and no movement is shown.

2. Shapes

There are many similar squares that were laid next to each other, but one of them were removed. The removed square stands out as the shadow, creating a good comparison with the lighting around it.

3. Pattern

The rectangles in this photo are organized as columns, but a thin line was also captured across the photo. The strong rhythm of the rectangle does seem rather outstanding from other repeated items.

4. Focus

The photographer separated the photo into two parts, where the center was a zoomed-in area with high clarity under the’ wheel’ and the surrounding followed up the same sight under a blurry filter.

5. Value

In this photo, a clear range of light and darkness was developed. The closed up matter, which is the tree, was shot as the darkest element in the whole photo, followed up by the forest behind it. The far sight, however, was somewhat misty and white.

6.Texture

In this simple image, the photographer allowed the surface of the water to form a very calm sight for the audience, where people could easily feel the soft, wavy texture of water.