Blog Post 4- Formal Elements of Photography

The Formal Elements of photography are 6 elements present in every photo and can be described as such. These elements being line, shape, repetition/pattern, texture, value/tone, and focus. The element of line is the literal line of an object or scenery; the outline of the curve or the horizon line. Shape is the general mass of the object in the photo, like the shape of the subject or the backdrop. Repetition or pattern is a repeating image/motif in the photograph. The texture is the roughness or the smoothness of the surface of what’s being photograph. It can also be like a static effect overlaid on the image itself. Value or tone is the form or the contrast between light and dark. This is often seen as shadows or the lighting highlighting a certain part of the subject. Lastly, the focus is how sharp something is in the photo. Often the main focus is the main subject of the photo and will traditionally be the sharpest thing in the photo.

 

Example of line.

The horizon is a clear and clean line across the entire photo.

 

Example of shape

The shape in the image is the individual apples that make up the bunch.

 

Examples of repetition/patterns.

The repetition is each step, they follow one after the other in the same, straight forward looking pattern.

 

Example of texture.

You can see the texture of the straw hat.

 

Example of value/tone.

You can see the depth and value of the subject and the background. The value is the darkness versus the light.

Example of focus.

The focus is sharp when it’s on the lady, but the background is blurry because it isn’t the main focus.

 

I believe an image can show multiple elements of photography at a time. It’s an element, meaning it’s a n aspect of a photo. There can be multiple aspects that make up a photo. For example, the last photo shows the different sharpness by using  focus, but you can also make out the shapes and lines of the boat too.