Formal elements in photography are the visual components that photographers use to create and arrange an image. By identifying and purposefully using these components, an image can be transformed, and everyday things can be turned into appealing visual narratives. Understanding these components helps to highlight the most critical parts of the shot and gives the composition structure. Line, shape and form, pattern, tone, color, texture, and space are the formal elements that are most widely acknowledged. There are differences, however, with some lists replacing size and depth for space and value.

The 6 Elements 

• Line:
  • Lines are fundamental in photography, as paths guiding the viewer’s eye through the composition. They can be straight, curved, horizontal, or vertical. Lines can create direction, outline objects, show movement, or add energy to a photograph.
• Shape:
  • The outlines of items in a photograph are called shapes. They might be organic, like leaves or clouds, or geometric, like squares or circles. An image’s balance and visual appeal are improved by its shapes.
• Pattern:
  • Patterns are created by repeating objects, shapes, or lines. They add rhythm and visual interest to an image.
• Texture:
  • Texture refers to the surface quality of objects in a photograph. Capturing texture depends on light.
• Tone:
  • Tone refers to the lightness or darkness of areas in a photograph. It helps create contrast, depth, and mood.
• Focus:
  • Focus refers to the clarity and sharpness of areas within a photograph. Selective focus can be used to draw attention to specific elements.

The Great Wave

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa” skillfully combines a number of formal components to produce a piece that is both lively and thought-provoking. The smashing wave’s lines, which curve violently and give the fishermen below a sense of imminent danger, dominate the scene. The artwork’s visual impact is enhanced by its shape. The massive waves that reach the sky have claw-like peaks that contrast with the triangle-shaped peak that rises in the distance. The ocean’s rhythmic design and repeating colors both show patterns that create a sense of explosion and activity. A sense of helplessness and coldness is brought about by faded yet calming tones, particularly in chilly blues. Although texture isn’t highlighted directly, the forms and lines express the sea’s strength and roughness. Lastly, Hokusai uses Mount Fuji as a focal point and records a dramatic moment, stopping time and offering a sense of balance in the face of oncoming danger.

Can an Image Show Just One Element at a Time?

While it is possible to create an image that emphasizes a single element, it is nearly impossible to isolate one element completely. For example, a photograph emphasizing line will still inherently contain shapes, tones, and textures. The key is to make one element dominant in the composition. Lines are so important that without them there is no shape and in turn without shape there can be no form. Without form there can be no texture and without texture there can be no pattern.