Formal Elements

The Formal Elements Are:
Form
Line
Shape
Space
Texture

Form
Form is how you define the object you are taking  a picture. For instance, with human form i might be how the person is postured on how well the outlines of the body is impressed upon the picture. Another example would be standing next to a tall building & taking a photo looking straight up.

Line
Line is a regular pattern that joins together a number of elements of the image, that line doesn't have to be straight, the strongest images often include lines that are curved. The power of the line comes in its ability to capture the eye and direct how it scans through an image. The nature of the curve is important - a line curving into the image is always stronger than a line that curves out of the image.

Shape
The way subjects connect to each other in a photo forms shapes that draw the eye from the subject to the subject. If the photo composition lacks shape,then the photo becomes too busy and awkward to appreciate. 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 can be from in different ways such, if your subject is already triangular or diamond-shape (like a pyramid), the viewers eyes will automatically focus on that shape.

If your subject is already triangular or diamond-shaped (like a pyramid), the viewer’s eye will automatically focus on that shape.