Form is a crucial aspect of composing a photograph. It can help achieve equilibrium and uniformity in your images, as well as direct the viewer's attention to the focal point. These are just a couple of ways in which shape and form can be utilized.
This post will explore the various ways in which shape can be employed in photography to enhance the visual appeal of your images.
Understanding Classic Design Elements in Photography Every Photographer Should Be Familiar With
There are six fundamental art and design elements that are essential to grasp. This article focuses on the concept of shape. However, we will briefly touch upon all six elements to gain a better comprehension of the broader design principles.
All six elements are interconnected. To delve deeper into the concept of shape and form within photography, we will explore all six elements.
1. Shape
A shape is essentially two-dimensional. Although a photograph itself is two-dimensional, shapes within a photograph lack depth.
By utilizing lighting or perspective, you can introduce depth to a two-dimensional shape. Once depth is added, a shape transforms into a 3D form.
2. Form
Objects that appear to possess depth are known as 3D forms rather than shapes. Therefore, even within a two-dimensional image, viewers can perceive depth extending beyond the object's frontal surface.
Depth in forms is achieved through light and shadow, or by altering the perspective to reveal the form's angles and edges instead of a direct frontal view.
3. Line
Lines define the boundaries of shapes, and they can also create shapes independently. Lines guide the viewer's gaze within a photograph, and they are useful for segmenting and framing images. Lines are a powerful compositional tool in photography.
4. Pattern
When lines, shapes, or forms repeat, they generate a pattern. Patterns can induce a sense of tranquillity, but disrupting a pattern can evoke a feeling of unrest.
5. Texture
Texture adds depth to a two-dimensional image. Texture in photography can be emphasized through the interplay of light and shadow.
6. Colour
While colour may not be classified as a geometrical design element, it remains significant in design and photography. Colour, or the absence of it, plays a crucial role in attracting attention and eliciting emotions.
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The 4 Types of Shapes in Photography Composition
Photography involves various aspects of shape, distinct from those taught in elementary school. Shapes in photography are classified in different manners.
Geometric Shapes
Geometric shapes have precise, straight edges with clear and consistent angles and lines. These shapes are commonly found in man-made structures and are often highlighted in abstract and architectural photography.
Organic Shapes
Organic shapes are characterized by curves and lack geometric perfection. They are natural and irregular in form, commonly observed in nature such as the curve of a tree branch or the contour of a flower petal.
Positive Shapes
A positive shape refers to the primary shape of an object. It is the shape of the object itself, visible when the object is present.
Negative Space
Negative space is the unoccupied area within a photograph. It could be exemplified by a crevice in a canyon wall or a shape formed by the boundaries of two positive shapes.
10 Ways You Can Use Shape and Form in Photography Composition
Although all these concepts and ideas are intriguing, the challenge lies in implementing them practically. The initial step involves recognizing that the objects we perceive consist of shapes, forms, and lines. Breaking down images in this manner aids in grasping the fundamentals of composition in photography.
To apply these principles to your photography, start by analyzing your own work to identify shapes and forms. Additionally, you can explore the works of other photographers to observe how they incorporate form in their photography.
The subsequent step is integrating these concepts into your photography. Here are some guidelines for utilizing shape and form in photography composition.
1. Utilize Shape and Form to Evoke Emotions in Your Photography
We are aware that specific colors can evoke emotions. However, shape and form also play a crucial role in determining the mood of a photograph.
Comprehending how shape and form influence a photograph's mood equips you with additional creative tools. This knowledge enables you to explore novel ways of expressing emotions and narratives.
Circular shapes convey a sense of fluidity due to their absence of sharp corners and edges. Rounded forms also evoke feelings of serenity and tranquility.
Squares and rectangles typically evoke a sense of solidity. Straight lines suggest confidence and strength while also possessing a harsh quality associated with obstinacy or anger.
Triangles in photography guide the viewer's gaze like an arrow. Inverting the triangle so it rests on its tip symbolizes an imbalance.
Irregular shapes, characterized by varying side lengths, can induce a sense of tension and unease in your photography.
Photographers can leverage lines to influence the mood of their images. The orientation of a line can dictate the mood projected by the image.
Diagonal lines imply motion and direction, creating a sense of movement. Diagonal lines and shapes direct the viewer's eye depending on their orientation. A diagonal line extending towards the horizon imparts depth to a photograph.
A vertical line conveys strength and stability. Conversely, a horizontal line is synonymous with tranquility and peace, as exemplified by a distant sea horizon.
Curved lines evoke a similar sensation to circles and ovals, suggesting motion. Organic shapes formed by curved lines evoke a natural and serene ambiance.
2. Manipulate Shape and Form in Photography
It's not always possible to alter the shapes of objects in your images. While you can manipulate a piece of paper into a ball or cut an apple in half, transforming the edges of a square concrete block is much more challenging.
However, this limitation doesn't mean that you can't play with shape and form in photography. One approach is to capture the broadside of a barn to emphasize its rectangular shape. Alternatively, you can experiment with different perspectives to modify the barn's appearance.
For instance, positioning yourself at a corner can introduce diagonal lines and elongate the shape.
By backlighting a ball, you can portray it as a solid, round shape. Conversely, using side-lighting can add depth to its form.
Moreover, you can employ this technique to transform a round shape into a crescent through the interplay of light and shadow, similar to the effect of sunlight on the Moon.
3. Play With Perspective to Find Different Shapes and Forms
A 3D object can appear differently depending on the viewing angle. For instance, a coffee mug may look like a cylinder when seen from the side and a perfect circle when viewed from above. Changing your viewpoint can alter the appearance of various objects.
Examine the object from all perspectives. Identify the shape that captivates you the most or the one that conveys the desired mood.
Once again, adjusting your perspective allows you to decide whether to capture a shape or a form. Photograph head-on for a shape or position yourself to view multiple sides simultaneously for a sense of depth.
4. Use Light to Add a Third Dimension
To transform shapes into 3D forms, photographers have a second option, which involves using light. If the goal is to highlight the shape, position the light directly in front of or behind the subject. This positioning will result in either a silhouette or a front-lit shape.
For a depiction of a 3D form, adjust the light to illuminate the subject from an angle. The side lighting will cast shadows that convey to our brain the three-dimensional nature of what might initially seem flat.
5. Use Focal Length to Play with Shape and Form
The choice of lens significantly impacts how shapes are perceived in an image. Wide-angle lenses, for instance, have a tendency to distort straight lines, while tilt-shift lenses can correct this distortion.
However, the impact of lens selection extends beyond distortion. The focal length of a lens can either magnify or minimize the perceived distance between objects. Wide-angle lenses create the illusion of greater distance between objects, whereas telephoto lenses bring objects closer together visually.
To create the impression of objects being closer together without physically moving them, opt for a longer lens. Conversely, to enhance the sense of distance, use a wider lens. This principle also applies when dealing with different parts of the same object in terms of form.
6. Use Lines in Your Photography Composition
Shapes and forms are powerful tools for composition in photography. However, a single line can also serve as an effective compositional element.
When searching for lines, approach it in a similar manner as you would for shapes. Seek out lines that guide the viewer's gaze towards the main subject. Identify straight lines that extend into the distance to add depth to your composition.
Lines have the ability to introduce textures, and when grouped together, they can form new shapes. Alter your viewpoint to provide a different perspective on the lines, which can redefine their role in your photographic work.
Consider the message you wish to convey through your image. Are you focusing on shapes or lines? If uncertain, simplify your compositions. One approach is to explore abstract photography by capturing basic shapes and lines.
7. Look for Multiple Shapes to Create Patterns
When taking photos, it's likely that you won't be capturing just a single shape against a plain background. Pay attention to any repeated shapes or echoes of shapes appearing in various parts of the image.
Utilize repeated shapes to form patterns in your photos. These patterns can be abstract or serve to guide the viewer's gaze or create optical illusions.
Seek out shapes that offer contrast to each other, such as various geometric shapes or a mix of geometric and organic shapes.
Enhance your compositional abilities by actively searching for shapes in photography. Start with simple, minimalist compositions and then apply these skills to different aspects of photography.
8. Look For Negative Shapes
Negative shapes are less common because they are harder to spot. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore them.
When the empty space between two objects creates a recognizable shape, it can make a strong composition. And a negative shape can often have a more significant impact than a positive shape.
When you’re looking at shape and form, note the space between the objects. What shapes can you find in those areas?
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9. Find Balance in Your Composition
Consider how the shape and form impact your photos. Do they occupy a small portion of the frame or fill the entire image?
The concept of balance lies in the space surrounding the shapes. You can opt for minimalistic compositions that emphasize shapes in photography, or you can create more intricate images using shapes and forms.
Experiment with different perspectives by zooming in or using a wide-angle lens to observe how the shape's perception changes.
A wide-angle shot of a basic geometric shape can convey minimalism, while a close-up can highlight texture or accentuate lines.
Balance plays a crucial role in directing the viewer's focus on specific aspects of a shape. For instance, you can enhance the symmetry of an architectural element by leaving ample space around it.
You can match the space around the object to its size or utilize negative space to convey scale or imbalance.
Enhance the emotional impact of a curved form by applying the rule of thirds, or emphasize a shape's symmetry by centering it within the composition.
10. Harness the Power of Triangles
Each shape plays a crucial role in photography, with triangles standing out as particularly impactful. They establish a focal point that guides the viewer's gaze and can effectively direct attention towards a specific area.
Given this dynamic quality, professionals in portrait photography frequently recommend arranging a group of individuals in a triangular formation. This setup prompts the viewer's eye to traverse the entire group.
Triangles can be observed in both geometric and natural environments, and they can be combined to produce three-dimensional structures in photography, like pyramids.
Conclusion—How to Use Form and Shape in Photography
In everyday life, we tend to see things for what they are. But as photographers, we need to change the way we see the world. We need to look more carefully at shape and form. We can look a little deeper to see what shapes and forms make up the world we see.
The composition will always be influenced by what inspires you as an individual. But learning how to use shape and form in photography can help you develop your compositional style.
Shape and form in photography are essential parts of image composition. Once you understand the shapes and forms that build the world around us, you can construct powerful photographs.
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