Shape vs. Form in Photography

Shape in Photography

SHAPE is two dimensions (2-D)

This can be any enclosed space with a closed line around it. The line can be seen or not seen as an outline. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bird, or a plane, or Superman, it is a two-dimensional representation of something we recognize. This includes height and length.

Form has width also known as depth)

​Shape has height and length only

Multiple Select

Shape is

• flat

• 2-dimensional

• an object with height and length

• all of the answers

• any closed space that has a line around it.

There are two categories of shapes

organic shapes and geometric shapes

Organic shapes

​shapes, often curvilinear in appearance, that are similar to those found in nature, such as plants.

​​Geometric Shapes

​GEOMETRIC: any shapes and based on math principles, such as a square, circle, and triangle.

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The subjects are flat having height and length only.​

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Shapes in photography can also be created by other 3-Dimensional subjects. The shapes are usually formed by the empty space in and around the subjects. This empty space is called negative space.

Multiple Choice

Which category of shape is the photograph?

• Organic

• Geometric

Multiple Choice

Which category of shape is the photograph?

• Organic

• Geometric

Multiple Choice

Which category of shape is the photograph?

• Organic

• Geometric

Form

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• Shows details of object

• has length, height and depth (depth and width is the same)

• form is 3-dimensions

Form has width also known as depth)

​Shape has height and length only

Form: Subjects have length, height and width (depth.

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Multiple Choice

Form has

• length

• width

• length, height, depth

• height

Multiple Choice

How many dimensions does form have?

• 3-dimensional

• 2-dimensional

Multiple Choice

How many dimensions does shape have?

• 3-dimensional

• 2-dimensional