Elements Of Design Part 2
Texture, Shape, Form, and Colour as Elements of Design
Continuing from last week’s post about the elements of design, in this post we’ll take a quick look at: texture, shape, form and colour.
Texture is very much a part of our lives and even our speech; words describing texture are common: a rough day, soft touch, sharp mind are just a few examples. Looking for ways to feature texture in our images can be both challenging and rewarding. For good results try side lighting to reveal texture.
Early January morning and frost on my car windows, lit by the dawn breaking in the sky on camera left.

There is no shortage of interesting textures in Nature! I noticed these leaves covered in hoar frost on a picnic table while out for a walk on a frosty New Year’s Eve Day.

With shape as a dominant design element, form and texture can be diminished or lost in shadow areas; silhouettes are a popular way to reveal shape.


Many fine landscape photographers can tell you that form and shape often look their best in side lighting; shadow and light work together to give depth and dimension to images.


The role of colour in composition is another tool to create images with a wow factor or to convey a feeling or mood.
Many holiday resorts are painted in bright colours; the effect is eye catching, fun and cheerful.

The uses and roles of colour are a complex area of study and learning. And yet I think it comes down to what Stephen Covey said: The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. What do we want to say? What mood do we want to capture? Colour has a wonderful range of influence and impact. So what is it we want it to say for us?

The absence of colour in monochrome or duotone images allows details to be the stars of an image; because colour can hog all the attention, removing it allows other elements to shine.

Putting it all together…
It was late afternoon in September on the western point of the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. The sun broke through the clouds to reveal lines, patterns, form, texture and colour.

I believe one of the best things about digital photography is we can experiment with new ideas and the only expense is our time. Yes, many images are deleted as we learn and grow as photographers; but we also will have some really good photos which represent our unique perspective and vision.
That’s a wrap for this series. If you haven’t already joined our Facebook group Rebel Photographers, head on over to share your work and be inspired by other photographers.
Happy shooting,
Cheryl