• Introduction
• Subject
• Composition
  • Perception
    • Gestalt
    • Grouping
    • Space
    • Depth
    • Constancy
  • Elements
    • Lines
    • Shapes
    • Forms
    • Value
    • Color
    • Texture
  • Relation
    • Isolation
    • Placement
    • Patterns
    • Balance
    • Dominance
    • Mergers
    • Framing
    • Layers
  • Scene
    • Lighting
    • People
    • Study
    • Q&A

Photo Composition for Better Photography

Notes from the Web

 

Shapes

 

 

A shape is a two dimensional area which stands out from the surrounding space because of a defined boundrary or because of a difference of line, color, intensity, or texture.

 

Shapes also play a dominant role in identifying objects in everyday life.

 

 

Shapes can be real or implied:

• Real shapes - examples
  • Natural or organic shapes - stones, leaves, clouds, plants, humans, etc
    
  • Geometric shapes - composed of one or more simple shapes (circle, square, hexagon, etc) such as ponds, race tracks, crystals, buildings, man-made objects
    
  • Shape as outline - silhouettes, skylines, etc
    
    
• Implied shapes - including
  • Shapes created by lines that connect objects, such as the eliptical shape created by the circular arranglement of four birds
  • Shapes created by regions of contrast or color such as a bright region in the middle of a photo
  • Shapes created by objects that form the sides of a shape. For example, a man reclining at the base of a tree join to form a slender triangular shape
  • Shapes can also be carved out by the positive and negative space of a photo.

 

 

More about shapes

 

• Simple shapes such as squares or circles will tend to dominate a photo, and thus can often be found at the the photo's center.
• The eye enjoys interesting shapes and forms, and will stay in the picture to examine each one
• Consider placing people so they form an implied shape such as a triangle, diamond, or circle.