The Formal Elements in a Photograph
The formal elements of any photographs are listed below. When identifying key parts of any image and describing them this is a list of parts (with supporting notes) that you should be able to identify and discuss...
Colour – Is the photograph colour or black and white? How does this affect the mood? How important is colour in the composition of the image?
Tone – Is the photograph high or low contrast? How and why? If black and white, the photography is exclusively tonal.
Line – What sorts of lines are there in the photograph? How have they been positioned in relation to the rest of the composition? What effect does this have? How do the lines affect the viewer's experience of the photograph - do the lines guide the viewer?
Shape – What sorts of shapes are there in the image? Doe they remind you of anything? Do you think the photographer meant this?
Pattern/Texture – What kinds of patterns and/or textures are there in the photograph? Do the patterns or texture(s) repeat? Do the patterns guide the viewer in any way?
Colour – Is the photograph colour or black and white? How does this affect the mood? How important is colour in the composition of the image?
Tone – Is the photograph high or low contrast? How and why? If black and white, the photography is exclusively tonal.
Line – What sorts of lines are there in the photograph? How have they been positioned in relation to the rest of the composition? What effect does this have? How do the lines affect the viewer's experience of the photograph - do the lines guide the viewer?
Shape – What sorts of shapes are there in the image? Doe they remind you of anything? Do you think the photographer meant this?
Pattern/Texture – What kinds of patterns and/or textures are there in the photograph? Do the patterns or texture(s) repeat? Do the patterns guide the viewer in any way?