Project 52, Week 42, Form

Form refers to the three-dimensional quality of an object. 
Forms are lines and shapes with volume.
Circles and squares are shapes. Spheres and cubes are forms

"Form has four basic components: line, shape, texture, and perspective. All of these are made visible by differences in the intensity of tones. But their appearance is modified by the quality of light and its direction. When the intensity, direction, or quality of light changes - lines, shapes, texture, and perspective change and the appearance of form is altered." Garry Black Photography Workshop Notes

Things to Consider:

• Form is created through light, color, tones, contrasts, and shadows.
• Side lighting helps create a sense of form by creating deeper shadows and emphazing texture.
• Always remember the other compositional techniques.  The Five Minute Photography Course from Garry Black Photography Workshop Notes; briefly lists and explains basic principles of composition. 

Suggested Readings and Examples:

1. Discovering Form in Photography by Juergen Roth at Apogee Photo; well illustrated article defining line, shape, and form and how to communicate a sense of form through composition.
2. Shape and Form in Composition by Aamir Shazhad at PictureSocial; explanatory article comparing shape and form
3. The Best Way to Learn about Composition by Andrew Gibson at phototuts+; a good article on composition - the illustrations accompanying the paragraphs on form demonstrates the difference between shape and form and how light is used to show the form.