The formal elements are Line, shape, form, movement, tone, Colour, Pattern, Depth, texture and reflection. The formal elements are the basics in what is needed to create a photograph and these can be arranged in ways in order to create different and better photographs. The formal elements can be used to show things that are not shown to the human eye for example movement is shown in photography by blurring which you wouldn't see normally.I will create image banks and work diaries in order to track my progress in photography and see improvements over time.
Lines are shown in most photography as most things are made up of strait, curved and wavy etc. but some photographers choose to take pictures emphasising the lines in the photo. Railway tracks and buildings have quite obvious lines within them creating quite intricate and detailed photos.Shapes are shown in many different things such windows, signs, shadows, drains etc.
Form is found in shadows which show the three dimensional shape of an object.
Movement is shown in the blurring in a picture. Cars and amusement park rides often show blurring and movement when photographed due to there lights and movement.
Tone is the dark and light shades in a photo often in black and white photos. Tone is often shown in photos of plants, and things with contrasting colours.
Colour is found everywhere but photos showing colour are commonly of flowers, plants and brightly coloured objects making colour a main focus point of a picture.Pattern is often found in birds feathers, animal patterns and landscape's.
Depth is found in the height of buildings, lengths of roads and rows of objects.
Light is a key when photographing texture, when the light shines on a textured object in a certain way all of the varied textures show up. Tree bark, bricks and paths often show different textures.
Reflections are shown in windows, mirrors and most things that are made of glass.
Formal elements help to break down everyday life in order to create effective photographs.
