The 7 formal elements of photography

Formal elements are design elements that all image makers should be aware of when considering their image compositions. They can often make up the primary visual features of a frame and, when applied, have the potential to transform simple subjects into fantastic shots, as we’ll explain in this video.

The seven formal elements are commonly known as:

Line
Shape & Form
Pattern
Tone
Colour
Texture
Space

Using formal elements in your frame will bring order to your compositions and help you emphasise the most critical aspects of the scene. They can be applied to practically any subject or genre in photography. In fact, many of the world's most successful photographers base their images around formal elements, and understanding them is essential to developing your skills for any photographer.

This video breaks down each formal element with visual examples, so you can begin to identify where you can find them in the environment around you. Overall, it will help you familiarise yourself with the formal elements of photography so that you can apply them to all of your image compositions.

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