Mindmap- Formal Elements

Discussion- Formal Elements

There are 10 main formal elements lines, colour, shape, tone, movement, pattern, texture, depth and reflection. Photographers use these elements to there advantage and by enhancing and combining multiple formal elements you can create an interesting piece of work which will stand out. I think by using the formal element in a variety of different ways we can explore the visual world and improve our images to create photographs which people will find impressive. There are also a variety of techniques involving enhancing or changing areas of the formal elements. These help improve or adapt on an image, this shows how vital they are to the way in which we take images and then make them more interesting and exciting.

Lines

Lines create the basics of our photos without it we wouldn't be anywhere, lines creates definition within and image and can help make an object or subject within a photograph standout. Its also the ways in which different lines join up and form together which give us unique and different images which we see. They also give us a feel for the image for example sharp, harsh lines you would associate with danger where as you would think of curved lines as more soft and gentle.

Colour

Colour I believe to be the formal element which everyone by passes however can be very vital in some images. Colour creates the world around us and many photographers capture this beauty. Although colour is an important formal element and can help create definition as well as highlight certain aspects within an image, when involved in techniques like selective colour or a black and white effect it is sometimes better for a image to loss their colour to show there true meaning, message or beauty.

Tone 

I personally love the use of tone within photography I think that it can improve an image and give it an antique feel or help the idea of the image stand out. I find some photos  are better suited in black and white or another tone affect.

Movement

Movement can be shown in a variety of ways, one of which is by a blurred object another is simply having a movement implied withing an image. For example a person who appears to be running or you could have what appears to be an image which looks like many images put togther like the one shown to the left. My favourite way to show movement is to have the focus on an image and to show the place around blurred I think that this can show a deeper meaning and often create very interesting images. I really like the way in which people try this technique differently.

Pattern

Patterns can often make photography very interesting and help improve an image. Pattern is not always in images or the focus of images however can occur in photos even when not meaning to, for example taking a picture of someone and the back ground being a brick wall creating a pattern. There are often natural patterns within plants and animals which many photographers like to capture and show in various different ways there are also many different interesting man made patterns which can help create incredible images. I think that sometimes using to much pattern or a mixture of to much of a contrasting pattern within a image can make it look over crowded and ruin an image.

Texture

I love how texture can be reflected withing photos. I think that the idea an image can make you imagine and think or relate to different things is an interesting concept. I like how there are so many different textures to show that you could use them in a variety of ways to reflect different emotions or actions.

Shape 

I like how certain photographs can be aimed or focused on one shape and create a simple but lovely photo. Objects can also stand out within photos depending on their shape and create a bold statement within an image.

Depth

I think that depth is a formal element which is not portrayed in every image however when shown is certain images can be very effective and look very nice. I think that depth is all apart of the angle, position and focal point of the image and when used in the right way can create lovely images.

Form 

I think form is all about displaying a 3 dimensional object and showing them in a 2 dimension, an image. Shadowing is the key way of how form is show within a photo, this alone with the different shades and tones that it reflects creating depth and dimension in the image.

Reflection 

Reflection can be shown in many ways in photography it can be shown in a mirror, puddle, reflective surface or even a shadow however it could also be a technique used within photoshop or another photo editing software. I think reflection can often be used with water and with lakes to almost show two images in one. Foe example, showing the sky in the beauty of the shimmering water as well as what surrounds the lake. There are some photographer which have experimented with mirrors and took photos like the image shown to the side. I think that reflection is a formal element which can make photography more interesting and gives inspiration for a photographer to be more experimental with their work.

To conclude I think by studying these formal element and ways in which to contribute them in photography it has helped me develop understanding and ideas. As well as techniques which can be used to the advantage of these formal elements. By researching and spending time to look at these formal elements it has helped to develop my overall photography skills. 

Straight Prints- Form

Work Diary- Form

Evaluation 

When it come to shooting for form I was confused as to how I could display it in my image however once I stated taking a few picture I think that my photos came out well. I also used a few different items when I shoot form and feel they did create some interesting images, for example the image bellow of my glasses. I tried to concentration on taking a variety of photos and not just of building as I started out doing during this shoot.

This is my favorite image out of all the ones I took for form. I like how the shadow is created by the glasses onto the bricks. I also think this image does portray form well and in an interesting way.

I like the way in which form is shown in this image through the strong shadow on the floor. I think that the way in which the shadow is behind the bench and highlights the bench even more. 

Progression 

If i was to continue with this project and develop it further I would like to explore form with different items or people and shoot in a studio environment. However next time I would like to research more before and create more unique ideas.

I choose the few images below as they inspire me and relate to how I would like to take photos if I was to continue with this project..

Image Bank- Form

I chose these image to put in my image bank for form as I like how they show form and they give me some good ideas and inspiration for when taking my form images. I like how a few of the images are in black and white, i think that it gives the image a better look overall and can display form more clearly.

Definition Post- Form

Definition 

• The visible shape or configuration of something.
• A particular way in which a thing exists or appears.

Describing Form

• Apperance
• Shape
• 3D
• Structure

This is one of my favourite images for form that I have looked at. I really like the way in which the images shows the 3D shape of the mask. I think this image is very dramatic in the way it has been taken and the tones of which it involves. 

I think the way in which this photograph has been taken has highlighted the baby foot and made it seem 3D. I like how the background is slightly blurred to make the focal point of them image stand out more and create a stronger depth in the image.

I like how shadowing has been used in this image and how it creates a love heart. Also I like how the mugs have been positioned  to show two handles and one full mug. 

 

This image is similar to the babies foot in how the background is slightly blurry to highlight the tennis ball and the shape of it. I really like how natural lighting has been used in this photographer to create the shadows and give the tennis ball shape.

Own Definition

• The way in which an image can be seen, in this case making  displaying the 3D nature of the object ivisable within the image 

Straight Prints- Depth

Work Diary- Depth

Evaluation

We originally went out to shoot form however due to the weather we was unable to take picture for form so changed to depth. I didn't have many ideas of how I could represent depth without it seeming boring however I think my photos turned out well and represent depth clearly. Below are what I think are my two best images.

I like the image above however I think it should be straightened. I like how the background has people in as well and reelect the distance within the image.

I like the way in which depth is created within this images and how the focused of the person zooms in. 

Progression

If i was to continue with this project i would like to take picture involving many different people and man made building.

These are some images which inspire me within this project 

Image bank- Depth

I choose the images above to represent depth as I believe they all show depth in an interesting way. I think images like this can be created by the angles and focus of the image. For example many of the able show a burled background to show the distance between the main subjects and surrounding objects. I like the way in which the padlock image above has been taken at a angle creating a direction down the image along the chain. Also I like the way the way there is a lot of space in-between the bottom of the image and where the padlock starts helping to create this idea of depth. 

I also chose some images of depth being shown in a natural environment to display how depth is everywhere it is how we see things, The distance we travel. We see the world and look into the distance and are unable to appreciate the beauty, by using depth in photography you can create beautiful and unique photos.