Illustrated Discussion

The Formal Elements

The Formal Elements are: Line, Colour, Pattern, Depth, Texture, Reflection, Form, Tone, Shape and Movement. These elements are so important because they direct our definition of what we see in everyday life. We are able to categorize certain aspects of objects, scenery, places etc., into these formal elements, which makes them extremely valuable. The formal elements help to describe a picture, by turning what we see, into words. Without these elements, we wouldn't be able to clarify what we see (in a piece of artwork or a photograph etc.) 

The formal elements are particularly valuable in artwork, such as paintings, drawings etc., and photography because they give an artist/photographer a direction in what their work is going to mean and say to every viewer. These elements each individually give an artist/photographer an aim for a subject or focus in their work. This allows them to explain, in words, what the work they have produced displays and means, but also allows the viewers to interpret their own opinion of their work. Nevertheless, whether it be the artist/photographer or the viewer explaining the work, the only way they will do so, is by using these formal elements as a basis for their explanation. 

Internet Images

Photographs need the formal elements in order to explain what they are representing and what they mean, but in order to explain the formal elements, I have included photographs from famous photographers, which I have found on the internet, to show what they represent and what they mean as well.

Ansel Adams

This image was taken by Ansel Adams. Here, we can see many formal elements, such as, Line, Texture, Pattern, Form and Shape. Without the formal elements, we wouldn't be able to confer what we see in this photograph, nor would we be able to explain it.

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Like so, with this image from Henri Cartier-Bresson. We are able to see Line, Form, Depth, Movement and Shape. But not only can we establish what this photo shows, we are also able to interpret what the photographers' main focus was. 

 Louise Dahl-Wolfe

Obviously, there are many formal elements in each of these photographs, but without them, the photographer wouldn't have had an aim or a subject to set emphasis on. Again with this photo from Louise Dahl-Wolfe, we are able to see the formal elements of Reflection, Form, Movement and Depth. 

Robert Doisneau

If the formal elements did not exist, and so, photographers' did not have a focus to work with, we also wouldn't be able to explain what we see right here in this image from Robert Doisneau, alongside the other photographs above. Here, I can evidently see Line, Depth, Form, Shape, Texture and Pattern. 

This also applies to artwork/artists' and everyday life in general.