How to Take a Great Photograph (and what to do with it!)

© Yvonne Linnabary for

Everett Public Schools

Part 2: The Elements of Design

Start with the Elements of Design

• Line

• Shape

• Form

• Value

• Color

• Texture

• Space

Line—We perceive line as the edges of shapes and forms.

Shape-Anything that seems to be a 2-D enclosed space or appears flat.

Form—3-D objects that give the impression of volume and mass.

Value—Darkness, lightness and contrast between tones and shades

Color—The perception and organization of hues, shades, tones

and tints.

Texture—The simulation of tactile surfaces in a photograph.

Space—To create the illusion of depth on a 2-D surface.