Shapes can be very important and powerful components of photographs. Everything in this world is made up of shapes, and as artists, we can use these various shapes to help us enhance the mood and energy of our photos. Using shapes in unique or interesting ways can take a photo from ordinary to extraordinary. But like other basic elements of photography, using shape is not always simple. There are several different types of shapes that we need to take into account and each shape itself also can convey different feelings.

Shapes can be either positive or negative, for example. A positive shape is simply the shape of the object that is being photographed. Seems simple, but what is a negative shape? A negative shape is the shape of an empty or background area of you photo. Put another way, it is the shape formed between two or more positive shapes. For a relatively simple example, considered a photograph of an open door. The door frame would be the positive shape, while the space inside the door frame would be the negative space.

Shapes can also be organic or geometric. Organic shapes are those found in nature. They may be regular, like the circular area found in the center of a flower or they may be irregular, like the shape of a single oak leaf. More often than not, organic shapes will be at least slightly irregular since exact symmetry rarely occurs in nature. Geometric shapes, on the other hand, are symmetrical and composed of straight lines or regular curves. Geometric shapes are usually found in man made objects like roads or buildings.

There are three “basic” shapes that make up all organic and geometric shapes. They are squares (or rectangles), triangles, and circles. Again, they can be regular (i.e. a square) or irregular (i.e. a polygon), and each shape can help to convey certain feelings or emotions in a photo. Regular shapes tend to indicate order or stability, while irregular shapes create a sense of motion or make a photo more energized. Circles in particular are associated with a sense of motion, whereas squares and rectangles indicate stability. By utilizing these shapes effectively we can draw attention to certain aspects of our photos and help to tell a story or set a mood.

So how do we teach ourselves to recognize and use shapes effectively? Like all the other elements of photography we have discussed the answer is practice. One of the best ways to practice, especially if you’re a beginner is to try shooting silhouettes. When you shoot silhouettes, you take other elements such as detail, textures, and colors out of the way, allowing you to easily concentrate on the shapes. You can also review your work and the work of others and look for shapes. Note how they have been used, and think about the feelings that they convey. Look at the photos that you really like and the ones that you don’t. Do the shapes and the way they interact add strength to the image or do they detract from the image? How could they have been used more effectively? Before long, using shape will become a natural process for you and you will see you own images improving. So enjoy shooting and enjoy getting out in nature!