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.