Whats my shape Element Shape What is shape

What’s my shape? Element - Shape

What is shape? • Shape pertains to the use of areas in two-dimensional space that can be defined by edges. [1] Shapes can be geometric (e. g. , square, circle, hexagon, etc. ) or organic (such as the shape of a puddle, blob, leaf, boomerang, banku, etc. ).

Giving the subject a shape • Shape is a two-dimensional element basic to picture composition and is usually the first means by which a viewer identifies an object within the picture • Shapes can be made more dominant by placing them against plain contrasting backgrounds; for example, consider again the white sail against the dark water background.

• The greatest emphasis of shape is achieved when the shape is silhouetted • Silhouettes can create a free shape.

• Isolating a subject’s unique shape is an effective way to create an image with dramatic impact. • Successful material can be found by shooting directly upwards and finding unusual shapes outlined against the sky

Lighting can create shapes • Another way to highlight an object’s shape is by using lighting effects — for instance, interposing the object between the camera and a light source to create a stark silhouette

Why create shape in a picture? • The way subjects connect to each other in a photo forms shapes that draw the eye from subject to subject. • If a photograph's composition lacks shape, the photo becomes too busy or awkward to fully appreciate.

Shapes in Photography • Some shapes are more effective than others in providing an interesting frame for your photo. • For instance, squares and circles tend to be too symmetrical and leave too much empty space around the subjects. • The shapes that work best for composition are triangles and diamonds.

Triangles or Diamonds • Triangles can be formed a few different ways: • If your subject is already triangular or diamond-shaped (like a pyramid), the viewer's eye will automatically focus on that shape.

Triangles or Diamonds • Groups of people can be posed as an irregular triangle. This helps keep people from creating a shapeless blob in a portrait

Triangles in the Negative Space • Different landmarks can be one of three points that form the triangle. • For instance, a person at the forefront of the photo is the first point, a boat far behind the person forms the second point, and an island on the other side of the frame forms the third point

Organic Shapes • Shape is not just limited to silhouettes, of course • Organic shapes occur frequently in nature (hence the name). • They include curves, such as those you might see in the petal of a flower, and irregular shapes such as those you might see on a rock face.

How to get the correct shape • Moving your objects around until your find these pleasing shapes enables you to add dramatic effects to subjects that would otherwise be seen as ordinary.

Your turn • Whenever you’re shooting a scene that doesn’t require you to move fast or lose the shot, take a few moments to carefully examine your surroundings for shape. • If you can’t find any strong shapes in the scene, try a different perspective or angle. • Forcing yourself to notice the shapes in your surroundings will eventually help you develop a natural eye for it.

Assignment • Choose 5 subjects • Shoot 5 pictures of each subject, remember to use at least 2 different points of view. • Each must have a different type of shape represented • Examples: • • • Silhouette Organic shape The shape of an object (many options- square, triangle, rectangle, etc. ) Triangle created in the space around the subject Triangles created by the subject (moving objects into the correct space) The use of lighting to create a shape