Project 12, Month 10, Shapes & Forms

Shape is a 2-dimensional element while Form is viewed as a 3-dimensional object.

A shape is a space outlined by elements such as lines, color, and value.  It may be an actual solid object (such as a traffic sign) or may be more of a perceived shape (such as a group of people arranged in a circle).

"In the two dimensional world, there are three simple geometric shapes. [ circle, rectangle, and triangle]. ... Shape is to form as a square is to a cube.  In the three dimensional world, the basic geometric forms are cube, sphere, pyramid, cylinder and cones."  (Aamir Shahzed )

"Forms are defined by their lines, shapes, and volume ... Photographing form can be capturing an overall contour of a three-dimensional object - say, a flower - or composing an image from an unusual perspective and capturing its shape in an abstract way." (Juergen Roth)


Things to consider:

• Everything has a shape of some kind.  It may be one simple geometric shape or it may be a combination of the basic shapes.  It may be an actual solid object or an implied/abstract shape or form.
• Repeated shapes make a pattern. 
• A silhouette is a shape whether it's of a person, a cat, a tree, or a street sign.  
• Camera angle/position is important. An element viewed from the side will usually have a different shape and form than when viewed from the front.
• Use of light and shadow is very important when photographing a form. Side light usually works best to add shadows and depth.

Suggested Readings and Examples:

1. Discovering Form in Photography by Juergen Roth at Apogee Photo
2. Use of Structures in Photo Composition by Kim Rormark at Digital Photography Tips Online; very short article 
3. Advanced Composition: Using Geometry by Christina N. Dickson at Digital Photography School; well illustrated article
4. Use a triangle as a composition technique by Jim Harmer at Improve Photography; tip # 9
5. Photography Composition: The Golden Triangle Rule by Mira Crisp at Crisp Photoworks; well illustrated article
6. Shape and Form in Composition by Aamir Shahzed at Picture Social; illustrated short article
7. Capturing Shapes and Patterns in Outdoor Photos by Layne Kennedy at Photoguide; 90 second YouTube video
8. Emphasize Shape and Form in Macro Photography by Thomas Clark at Dummies.com Macro & Close-up Photography; a short illustrated article
9. Form, Shape and Space by Charlotte Jirousek at Cornell University from the Art, Design, and Visual Thinking course;
10. Shape and Form, Reflections, and Combining Multiple Elements by Andy Long at First Light; 5 paragraphs on Shape and Form
11. Elements of Design Shape & Form 1 by CanadaDadProduction; a 1:49 minute YouTube video
12. Image composition, stable, instable, diagonal, powerful and spiral composition at artmediaphotography.com; more illustrations than words; uses art to show compositional elements - look for square, triangle, circle, and spiral.  (Tip: read down in columns instead of across)