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elements of style

May 10, 2010 By Paige Balcer

If you ever watch TLC’s What Not to Wear, then you’ve heard Stacy and Clinton tell countless women to look for “color, texture, pattern and shine” to create stylish outfits. And although creating a trendy look is different than taking an interesting photo, some of the same principles apply. It’s about mixing contrasting colors and textures to draw attention to your subject. Not only can we be on the lookout for interesting textures, colors and patterns but unique perspectives and compositions. And when these elements are used sparingly, the results can be pretty eye-catching.

Do you have any examples of a photo that includes all or some of these elements of style (color, texture, pattern and shine)?

Comments

  1. marina says

    May 10, 2010 at 8:02 am

    A beautiful shot and a beautiful post, Paige!
    Here is a photo I shot yesterday
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/36167691@N03/4592961186/?edited=1

  2. Marcie says

    May 10, 2010 at 8:15 am

    Just a little color..pattern and texture here:
    http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1166

  3. Malin says

    May 10, 2010 at 8:26 am

    Here is one of mine with texture in. And colour. And pattern. And yes, I think some shine too :).
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34701818@N08/4547173927/

  4. Vanessa says

    May 10, 2010 at 8:40 am

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3750104169/in/set-72157607625768404/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3710488543/in/set-72157607625768404/
    happy (colourful, textured, patterned, shiny) monday ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. BlessedMess says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:21 am

    hm, not much pattern (well maybe the window pane? or the drops?) But definitely color, texture and shine.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/4438475027/in/set-72157623463406760/

  6. Puna says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:29 am

    I’m not sure if this covers it all but I love putting thing in a mosaic…

    http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2010/05/may-4-the-quartet/

  7. Elizabeth says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:35 am

    Texture! http://www.flickr.com/photos/elizabethclarkphotographer/4361082677/

  8. Custom Logo Design says

    May 10, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    Looking nice pic many concept is hidden behind this pic.

  9. lucy says

    May 10, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    I loved this box of plastic rings I spotted in a gift shop — the light was hitting them just right to give them all the elements of color, texture, pattern, and shine:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/4557033017/

  10. Aia says

    May 10, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    definitely some shine & color & pattern here.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/aclamp/4580694620/

  11. Katrina Kennedy says

    May 10, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    My first photo in My Post For My Mom captures many of the elements.

    http://ianck.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-post-is-for-my-mom.html

  12. Jen at Cabin Fever says

    May 10, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    I have many…. just check out my blog. I post everything on there that I take. Or my photography website.
    I love that photo you posted! Its one of those things that no one would ever think would make a good photo, but you know what, it does!

    http://www.cabinfeververmont.com

    http://www.nekphotography.com

  13. melissa says

    May 10, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    This post is all about texture: http://melissamillerphotos.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/05/alphabet-art.html

  14. Vanessa says

    May 10, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    can i come back and contribute again? just remembered this shot i posted the other day. hee!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/4585786725/

  15. Diane says

    May 10, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    Great post and image for illustration of those great points.
    I just realized I have too many examples and had a hard time picking just one. I hope you don’t mind if I share two examples:

    http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/?p=2228

    and

    http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/?p=2248

    I look forward to checking out some of the others images too! Great post Paige.

  16. Becky Sue says

    May 10, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Color, shine, texture and pattern…

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/4558845165/

  17. damiec says

    May 10, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    Color is probably the most obvious element in most of my photos, but this one has some interesting texture too:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/4587659271/

    and this one is mostly about texture, but it was the shine that caught my eye in the first place:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/4588353116/

  18. Victoria says

    May 10, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    My daughter often collects the dandelion heads in a cup or container or whatever she can put them in. Then she finds a spot to sit, make wishes and blow them away. Your shot above made me think of this. Thank You. ๐Ÿ™‚

    My pick for today’s post?
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/6riddles/4421812686/in/set-72157623017471431/

    Happy Monday to all ๐Ÿ˜‰

  19. Trude says

    May 10, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    So, so true! Color and some shine, for Mother’s Day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4593916167/

    Also pattern and sparkle Saturday night: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4593916063/

  20. cigi says

    May 10, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    This one has color, texture and pattern and more sheen than shine: http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/32365/

    This one texture, pattern and shine with just a hint of color: http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/76365/

    Thanks for the great post and the food for thought!

  21. Katy says

    May 10, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    This is from January (sorry to bring back ice in May!), but I love the colour and texture of the old wood behind the ice covered plants.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/katyharmer/4274048981/

  22. Nalen Aguilar says

    May 10, 2010 at 6:13 pm

    I guess I have some of the elements here

    http://manilenya.com/2010/05/10/right-to-serenity/

    Thanks to Elizabeth Clark for her photo that I used as a second photo.

  23. Secret Agent Mama - Mishelle Lane says

    May 10, 2010 at 6:33 pm

    A snap I got yesterday. Full of what is being described.

    My Mother’s Day:
    http://secretagentmama.com/blog/2010/05/10/8039/

  24. student aid says

    May 10, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    Wounder full nice amazing color thanks for this nice posting
    http://www.estudentaid.com/

  25. Stephanie says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    Here’s one with some color and texture. And a little bit of love too!

    http://bigmariolife.blogspot.com/2010/03/hint-of-nostalgia.html

  26. Lori says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    This enormous strawberry is in style!!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderwood/4428381784/

  27. Jen says

    May 11, 2010 at 2:24 am

    This is one of my favorite photos from our cabin vacation last summmer – all three elements – color, texture, pattern and shine (plus my little guy, too).

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/enniferj8/3898203645/in/set-72157622171966715/

  28. Heather says

    May 11, 2010 at 2:30 am

    love the idea of texture and patterns.
    a little shine is always great too!
    this was taken last year but wanted to share.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/htekmo/3851701143/in/set-72157605108082204/

  29. Valerie says

    May 11, 2010 at 4:19 am

    I love looking at something closely. Texture sometimes comes as a surprise. But you can find patterns you didn’t notice at first too. http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2010/03/daffodils.html

  30. Elizabeth says

    May 11, 2010 at 5:35 am

    Re:
    I guess I have some of the elements here

    http://manilenya.com/2010/05/10/right-to-serenity/

    Thanks to Elizabeth Clark for her photo that I used as a second photo.
    May 10, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterNalen Aguilar

    FYI, I didn’t give permission for this picture to be used.

  31. manilenya says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:28 am

    hi,

    I already removed my post and | sent Elizabeth a message of apology and forgiveness for not asking her permission and just followed my impulse to use her photo when I processed mine.

    I am deeply sorry, it was the first time I grabbed a photo without asking a permission and I don’t want to justify anymore, whatever mistakes I have done.

    One thing I am happy about with my sad situation is that, at least she found MY MISTAKE THROUGH ME.

    Please accept my sincere apology and I hope that you won’t take that one mistakes against me.

    i do hope that I am still welcome here.

    THANK YOU!

  32. Deirdre says

    May 11, 2010 at 7:05 am

    What a great idea. I’m enjoying going through everyone’s photos!

    Here are a few that have texture, color, & pattern. I’m not sure about shine. I’m not such a shiny gal ๐Ÿ™‚ :
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/4588590626/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/4594503686/

  33. Elizabeth says

    May 11, 2010 at 7:15 am

    No worries Nalen!

  34. georgia says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    loving the texture in the bench… so much character in the aged wood and peeling paint.

    how ’bout some pink for color,
    dots for pattern,
    and stucco walls for texture… with a little texture of my own added.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/28567264@N05/4598811634/?addedcomment=1#comment72157624041387242

  35. georgia says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:36 pm

    oops… wrong link.
    here is the correct link.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/28567264@N05/4598811634/

  36. Kayt says

    May 12, 2010 at 5:51 am

    Love this post and all the links to wonderful photos!

    Here’s one I call "Banana." I don’t know why I call it that, other than the color, but for some reason, I think of a banana when I look at it. The color contrast of the yellow against the blue is classic.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/12685767@N08/2660622908/in/set-72157605259586017/

  37. Shelli says

    May 13, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    Ive been known to even shoot toothpaste.

    http://decksitters.my-expressions.com/archives/1322_1051692178/44795

  38. Marianne LoMonaco says

    May 15, 2010 at 2:22 am

    A few of my shots of colour, shine, texture and pattern…

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariannelomonaco/4545996576/in/set-72157623419473565/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariannelomonaco/4554176987/in/set-72157623419473565/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariannelomonaco/4406022321/in/set-72157623419473565/

  39. medical school says

    May 20, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    Thanks for sharing the elements of style.

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