Mind Map- Formal Elements

Definition- Reflection

Dictionary Definition of Reflections 
The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat or sound without absorbing it: the reflection of light.

Describing word for Reflection

• View
• repeat 
• Imagination
• Illusion
• outline
• faint
• colourless        

analysis of 4 photographs 

This photograph uses the formal element reflection. The reflection is shown through the horses eye. The light is shining through the horses eye to produce the reflection to be shown in the eye. This is very unique and interesting to look at. The photograph has been taken extremely close up this is to make sure the viewer sees the reflection clearly as the reflection is very small and faint. The use of colours in this photograph brings out both the detail of the horses eye and facial features and the reflection itself.

This photograph uses the the formal element reflection. The reflection has been shown from the reflection of the two swans in the water. Reflections is shown very well through water mainly. This is very affective as it develops the photograph of just two swans to a repeated reflection which creates the photograph to look more interesting and more detailed. The photograph is centred in the middle and is shows the background in the distance to make sure that the reflection stands out and is the main focus of the photograph.

This photograph uses the formal element of reflection. The reflection has been produced by the bright sun reflecting the three people. This is very affective as it shows a repeated amount of reflections instead of one and adds more shape and the atmosphere of fun to the photograph. The colours are very bright and warming to create the three people and the reflection to stand out. The photograph is very wide to make sure it fits all three people in and there reflections.

In this photograph uses the formal element reflection. The reflection has been produced in the water. The reflection is of bright pink pretty flowers. This photograph is a natural photograph with very bright colours. The reflection is very clear and the colours are still very bright this draws the viewer to the reflections as its very clear and obvious to look at. The flowers have been taken to the right hand side with a space to there left this is to make the photograph different instead of taking them in the centre.

My own Definition

My own definition of reflection is that it is a faint repeat of something that has been reflected by light or the sun. The best things it is shown through is a mirror, windows or buildings.

Work Diary

My first photograph that I'm going to evaluate is my reflection photograph that is of a reflection of a building through a window. This photograph is very well laid out as the reflection is very clear to see. The camera angle is very different as its showing half the window and then half the reflected building. This photograph shows reflection through a window and has a dark lighting to show the viewer the main formal element of this photograph is reflection as this is what's shown brighter. To improve this photograph I would of kept my camera steadier so there is no blurring in the photograph.

The second photograph I'm going to evaluate is the photograph of a girl taking a photograph and the reflection of her fall body is in a glass building. This photograph has even sides to it and shows reflection very well. The photograph has been taken from behind to show an interesting angle of reflection. To improve this photograph I would make the photograph much lighter and not use as much excess space above the girls head to keep the focus on reflection.

When I was taking these reflection photographs the weather was very damp and it had rained earlier I found this easier to get reflection through puddles as there was lots. However because the weather was very duel my photographs weren't coming out light therefore I was having to lighten my photographs which decreased the sharpness of them. To improve onto this shoot I would take more photographs in puddles and at different angles and would take more photographs.

Image Bank Reflection

Reflection is where you produce a reflection of yourself an object or anything that contains an amount of light being reflected. You can find reflections in puddles, windows, mirrors or buildings. Reflections is a very good formal element to produce photography with as i think its very interesting to see a repeat of the same focus but in a different angle. These photographs below show the use of the formal element reflections in there photographs. The first one is of a row of trees and bushes along the side of a lake. The sky is very warm and bright and the sunlight is brightly shining on the lake to reflect the trees onto the lake. This photograph is horizontal and has been taken from a distance of the tree's to show the reflection underneath the tree's to get a repetitive effect. By having the tree's and reflection a dark black and the sky a sun set colour scheme creates the reflection to stand out hugely and make the viewer draw there eyes to this. This photograph also captivates a relaxed and calming atmosphere.

The second photograph is of a young boy standing in front of a puddle. His body is reflected from the light to the puddle. The photograph has been diagonally angled to only show the young boys legs and shoes and then in the puddle reflection his body features from chest up. This is very captivating and different as the photographer could of just taken the reflection just showing his legs and shoes. But he didn't to make the reflection more obvious and to make this photograph very strange as the young boys chest and face isn't natural to be below the legs and shoes. The colours in this photograph are that the ground and sky are very dull looking but the young boy is wearing very bright clothing this to create the reflection of the young boy and the young boy stand out from the background so that the viewer automatically knows he's being reflected. As well putting colour in this photograph creates more detail to the photograph.

The third photograph is of a natural girl who has her hair up in a bun and is standing in front of a mirror. The girl is looking downwards this is to show half of her face features so the reflection shows the other half. The photograph is in black and white this is to show huge detail and make this photograph very sharp to see the outline of her reflection and her very clear. By the girl being positioned to the side then leads the viewer to her reflection this shows that this photograph has been very well laid out and thought through deeply. The reflection is very fuzzy this is to show the difference between the real girl which is a very clear and sharp and the reflection which is very faint. This photograph has a sense of grace and this is shown through the reflection and the suttle colours.

The forth photograph is of a long row of pink blossom tree's that have puddles in front of them all to which reflect the long row of tree's onto the ground. In the distance there is a figure of someone jumping in the air this person has also been reflected. This photograph contains bright colours of pinks and greens to show a bright and happy atmosphere as it is spring season. The way that this photograph has been taken the tree's get smaller as they fade into the distance. This is very affective as it creates the photograph to look very busy and by having the tree's different sizes it gives the photograph more shape and captivates the viewer more.

The fifth photograph is of two young children walking to the sea. There reflection is behind them where the whole body has been reflected backwards. The photograph is in black and white and this brings out the reflection better. The use of black and white also makes this photograph professional and makes it have the feel of a very loving family photograph. By having the the beach in the photograph shows a story behind the photograph. Also the reflection is very wavy and looks as if the reflection is under the sea this links to the photograph very well.

The sixth photograph is of someone taking a photograph of someones sunglasses very close up. The sun glasses are mirrors so that the photographer is reflected into them. The whole photograph is in black and white other then one shade of the sun glasses where the reflection is. This is in bright colours to stand out from the whole picture. This photograph is very clever and different which will draw people into the photograph.

 

Health Check Discussion

Discussion
The ten formal elements that im studying for photography are lines,blur,colour,pattern,shape,tone,form,depth,,reflection and movement. Line is a geometric figure formed by a point moving along a fixed direction and the reverse direction. Lines appear in our every day life. They are in natural and man made objects examples of these are an umbrella, drains, bricks, stairs,shoes, hair and trees. Lines can be curved,straight,veritcal or horiztonal this is very clever as lines can change the way an photo looks just by its composition.

The second formal element in studying is blur this is an indistinct and hazy outline or appearance. Blur can be smudged or misty looking to create movement in photography. you can capture blur in every day life when people are walking,dancing, jumping, using there body in any movement. You can also blur objects by moving your camrea instead of them moving for example a watch which is man made to blu it would create it to look repeated as more than one would appear on the screen. Blur is something the human eye cant see but the camrea can capture this is very interesting and by capturing these blurred movements in a photograph is captivating.

 The Third Formal element i am studying is colour. Colour is a property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light. Colour can be found in our everyday life examples for this is plants,flowers,buildings, walls.paint,concrete, barriers. These objects are man made and natural which makes colour a huge element used in society. There is a huge range of colours from bright luminouse pinks,greens and blues to dull and moncrome blacks and greys. Colours represent feelings and emotions and are what our naked eye see's. Without colour the world would be very dull and not have an affective atmospheres.

 The forth formal element i am studying is pattern this is a reapeated decorative design that is recurring. This is also found in our every lifestyles for examples they are bricks, tiles, floors, wooden walls,drains, leaves, clothing and radiotors. Pattern is a very creative design that is in our lifes. Pattern is found in almost everything and is very eye catchy. Pattern makes things more exciting and is a structure that can be anything to anyones imagintion.

The fifith formal element i am studying is shape this is a external form, contours, or outline of someone or something. Shape is found in our every day lifes and examples of this is flowers, plug sockets, tables, chairs, fire alarms,jewlerry and door locks. Shape can be very basic or very complex but is something that you learn from a very young agge. It is part of our lifes and is the outline of anything we use,see and toutch.

The sixth formal element i am studying is tone this is a effect of colour or of light and shade in a picture which has a slight degree of differnece in instensity of colour. Tone is found in plants,walls,buildings, fences,will barrows, concrete and tiles. Tone is where there is a shade of light and dark in one object this is produced by the weather, the way it has been made, how old it is and how much it gets used. For example if a piece of jewlery doesnt get cleaned it will turn rusty and have two toned of colour in it.

The last formal element i am studying is depth this is the condition or quality of being deep. Depth can be captured from country sdie landscapes, flowers, bridges, train tracks and basically anything that has lentgh and a journey to distant. Depth creates a photo to look very complex. Depth can be taken from natural or man made things thatg converge.

 

 

The next formal element i am studying is shape this is the outline of anything in the visual world which forms a shape. Examples of shapes are sqaures, rectangles and cicles these are basic shapes where as complex shapes would be trapiziems and cuboids. Shapes can be found in our everyday lifes in things such as buildings, humans, flowers, books and furniture. Shapes are easy to notice and are found in almost anything you can see.

 

Another formal element i am studying is reflection. Things such as light and sound can be reflected. In our every day life you can use reflection in photography by looking into a mirror to show your own reflection. You can also see reflection through water, lakes and puddles. As well as through buildings that have glass or mirrord windows.

 

The next formal element i study is texture. Texture is the feel of the object. The textures can be rough,soft,smooth,rubbery,hard. I see texture in my everyday life it appears in almost anything. Leaves can have the texture of being smooth when there new and fresh and when there wilted and old they can have a crispy rough texture. Where as concrete have a rough texture as the material is very hard and solid.

 

The last formal element i studied is form. Form is the 3d nature of an object and is there to show the shadow. If you are photographing form for example a building you need to take a photograh of the corner of a building where there is lightness and darkness to show the 3D affect of the building. Also you can photograph form of a human by taking a shot where they are facing oppostie a light source and you can see the shadow of there clothing and hair to show its 3D nature and then a black silouhette of ther face which will show the darkness of form.

 

 

Definiton- Tone

Dictonary Definiton of Tone
 General effect of colour or of light and shade in a picture which has a slight degree of differnece in instensity of colour.

Describing words for Tone

• lightness
• darkness
• contrast
• shade
• black and white
• combination of colour

Anaylsing four photographs of tone

 This Photograph is of the country side. The tress and grass are all in still movement as the wind is blowing them in one directon. The sky is full of grey clouds but has the bright sun creeping through. This photograph shows tone through the grass,tress and sky. This is because they all contain two differnent intense shades of black and white which gives them a three dimensional look to them. They also contain a tone through the light of the sun and darkness of the clouds. The atmosphere this photograph brings is a calming but typical countryside english weather.

 This photograph is of a group of plants in still movement as the wind is blowing them in one direction. This photograph contains the use of tone. This is shown in the grass and plants this is becuase in the plants they have a white tone to them that has a hint of darkness in them where the dark sky is enhancing there darkness. Also the grass blur in the background contains a mixture of lightness and darkness this is tone as there is to shades used. This photograph is very clear to see the tone as the photograph is very close up.


This photograph is of a lake with stones and wilted plants at the side of the lake. This photograph contains the use of tone through the lake's water, the stones and the sky. This is because in the lakes's water there is two tones one being light and the other being dark this has occured through the refelction of the sun. The sky is toned aswell as it contains two shades one being a light and the other being a dark grey. This sets a scarey mood to the calming plants and lake. The stones also contain tone as they have dark and light hints in them aswell this makes them look three dimensional and stand out.

 This photograph is of thin plants and the background of a huge field. Tone is used in this photograph as the sky has two shades of lightness and darkness. This creates the photograph to look very affective as the sky sets the atmosphere and creates the plants to look more interesting then what they are. This photograph is very basic but my using tone gives the photograph a three dimensional feel to it.

My own Definition
A shade of a colour whether it will be light or dark.

Work Diary

The first photograph im going to evaluate is the wall photograph. This photograph shows very clearly what tone is by using the two light and dark colours next to it to show the contrast. The way that darker side has less thickness then the lighter side makes the photograph different however to improve this photograph the sides could be both even to see if the photograph creates tone to give a different affect.

The second photograph im going to evaluate is the fence photograph. This photograph has been taken from a high angle then the mini fences this is very different and creates tone to be shown more clear as you can see the difference between the lightness of the fence and the darkness of the ground behind it. To improve this photograph i could of cut the left of the photograph to makes the fence even so there is four columns instead of four and a bit.

The day i went out to photograph this formale element the weather was very bright and dry this made it easier for myslef to see where tone is being used. To develop my photographs i woud take more man made photographs as most of my photographs i took were of nature.

Image Bank Tone

In all these photographs tone is used to show the lightness and darkness of the photographs without showing any relation to the colours. In the first photograph tone is used as the background surrounding the two hands. The backgrounds shade is very dark this creates a intimate atmosphere and creates the two hands to stand out. The black background and white hands contrast however the hands are also toned and disappear in the dark tone to give the arms shape. The second Photograph also uses tone to as the photograph is of two flowers. The tone is used as the black and white colour creates the flowers and plants in the background to contain a light and dark shade. This creates the photograph to look very real and creates the photograph to no longer look flat but three dimensaional. This photograph contains beauty as nature is the main focus and theme. The third Photograph uses tone in the patterned stars as the colours of the starts have two differnet shades of bronze in them this makes the photograph look very affective as it gives the photograph more shape and makes the stars stand out more. The forth photograpah shows tone through the brick walls as the colours are of the same shade but different shade which created the photograph to look very old and ancient as well as three dimensional. The fifth shows tone through bright colours as the leaf has a bright coloured base but the shadow of darkness covers a part of it to give it tone. As well as the background being blurred which combines all the natural colours to produce tone. The last photograph uses tones as the concrete cracks have a deep black inbetween them where as the actual concrete itself is a lighter shade.

Definition- Depth

Dictionary Definition of Depth
The condition or quality of being deep

Describing words for Depth

• strength
• distance
• deep
• range
• steepness
• length
• three dimensional
• width
• blur

Analysing four photographs of depth

In this photograph it shows depth. This photograph is of a white fence with small pebbles balancing on the tops with grass plants in the background. The use of depth is where the fence starts of very close up and then gets further away to show the length of it. The closer pebbles are much more sharp and focused but as the fence gets more depth the pebbles turn unfocused and blurred. The plants in the background at colour to the photograph and is there to fill a space because if the plants weren't there the use of depth wouldn't be as compact and narrow therefore not being as affective.

In this photograph there is also use of depth. The glass cups filled with sweets are lined up and the camera has taken them from the side angle to show the depth of them. This is very affective as its creatively done and shows  the glasses from an interesting angle instead of face on which wouldn't be as complex and appealing to look at. The bright colours also create the photograph to have more depth as the colours turn unfocused when the get further away from the camera. I think this photograph is very good as they have managed to blur all the glasses other then the second one in this makes this photograph different and shows depth in a different way.




This photograph shows depth as the photograph is of the side of a house and scraps of wood and metal outside it. The use of depth has been taken from the side but diagonally angled to a high angle to show more depth and create the photograph to look like some sort of illusion. The black and white colours create this photograph to look very vintage and brings out the depth more. I think this photograh is very high quality and is something that would inspire me with my work.

In this photograph it shows depth this is becuase the long bridge has been taken at the start of the bridge to show the long lentgh. This is very affective as the further the bridge gets the smaller it is and narrower it goes. The differnce with this photograph is that the further it gets it still stays in focus but only slightly blurs but the others become unofocused and extremely blurred. This photogrpahy also contains form as the shadow on the bridge is showing this. The bright colours are very engaging and the long bridge leads the viwers eyes through a journey to the relaxing and sensational sea and villas on the other side. This photograph reminds me of a chilled holiday which puts me in a postive mood





My own Definiton of Depth
Depth is when something is taken from a certain angle to produce length  or width that has a close up object and then unfocused objects. The use of depth is to show a journey and make a photograph more intersting to look at.

Work Diary

The first photograph i am going to evaluate is the long drain


edit. This photograph shows depth extremly well as it shows the lentgh of the drain starting from a closeup and leading the viewers eyes through to the end. This photograph is very clear and the colours are very sharp. To improve this photograph i would of takne out the red tiles at the side to put more focus on the drain to create the depth to be more narrow.

The second photograph im going to evaluate is the head light photograph. This has been taken from a low angle to show the full lengthg of the head light starting from the bottom. This photograph isnt one of my best as the colours are very dark and there is a faint pink line in the sky which i couldnt make disappear. however the dark colour of the head light creates depth to be seen very clear.

The day i went out to take photographs for this formal element the weather was vey bright and dry therefore i took alot of photographs outside. To develop my shoot i would of taken more photos to get a better understanding of depth.