elements of style

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

[marina]

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

[Marcie]

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

[Malin]

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/

[Vanessa]

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 :)

[BlessedMess]

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/

[Puna]

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/

[Elizabeth]

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

[Custom Logo Design]

Looking nice pic many concept is hidden behind this pic.

[lucy]

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/

[Aia]

definitely some shine & color & pattern here.

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

[Katrina Kennedy]

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

[Jen at Cabin Fever]

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

[melissa]

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

[Vanessa]

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/

[Diane]

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.

[Becky Sue]

Color, shine, texture and pattern...

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

[damiec]

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/

[Victoria]

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. :)

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

Happy Monday to all ;)

[Trude]

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/

[cigi]

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!

[Katy]

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/

[Nalen Aguilar]

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.

[Secret Agent Mama - Mishelle Lane]

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

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

[student aid]

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

[Stephanie]

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

[Lori]

This enormous strawberry is in style!!

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

[Jen]

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/

[Heather]

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/

[Valerie]

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

[Elizabeth]

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.

[manilenya]

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!

[Deirdre]

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 :-) :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/4588590626/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/4594503686/

[Elizabeth]

No worries Nalen!

[georgia]

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

[georgia]

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

[Kayt]

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/

[Shelli]

Ive been known to even shoot toothpaste.

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

[Marianne LoMonaco]

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/

[medical school]

Thanks for sharing the elements of style.