Seeing The Elements Of Design

I recently decided to take a walk in search of inspiration, and it turned out to be a delightful decision. Armed with my camera, I ventured into nature, captivated by the endless beauty surrounding me. There's something magical about how much natural splendor can be captured in a single moment.

As I strolled, I kept in mind the six essential elements of photography, aiming to capture a unique shot for each one.

**Format** was my first focus. I edited the chosen photo in Adobe Lightroom, and the grid feature proved to be incredibly useful. Cropping with the rule of thirds in mind and adding a subtle vignette transformed the image, bringing balance and a pleasing aesthetic to the overall composition.

Next up was **lines**. I was drawn to the railroad tracks, and after cropping and straightening them with the grid, the image came alive. The lines naturally guide the viewer’s eye toward the horizon, creating depth. I chose a wider aperture to keep the tracks sharp at the foreground while softening them as they drift off into the distance.

For **shape**, I selected a shot that beautifully showcased positive and negative space. This interplay draws attention to the subject, making it the focal point. Using Lightroom, I adjusted the color saturation and exposure while straightening the lines to perfectly center the subject. The result was striking.

When it came to **value**, I found myself lying on my back at the end of my driveway as the sun began to set. Waiting for the perfect moment, I captured a car's headlights as they illuminated the cinder block fence, casting enchanting shadows on the trees. With Lightroom, I enhanced the blacks and shadows, cropped the photo, and meticulously adjusted the highlights to highlight the scene's drama.

The element of **texture** came next. Using Lightroom once more, I cranked up the texture and colors, widening the aperture to draw attention to the car’s metal surface and the debris around it. The contrast and detail were simply stunning.

Finally, I tackled **color**. I played around with the tone curve, increasing saturation while using the histogram to soften the blacks and shadows. Employing a wide aperture allowed the background to blur, directing the viewer's gaze to the vibrant colors and intricate details of a nearby bird. I was astonished at how close I could get!

                                       

Each element allowed me to creatively express my surroundings, reminding me that inspiration is often just a stroll away.