Balance

This exercise seeks to show how balance works in different images.

I selected six previously taken images and drew on each where I thought the balance features were, as follows:

Here the balance is obvious - a clear fulcrum down the centre of the image with the chair backs acting as similar sized objects balancing near the edge.

The balance in this image derives from the differential focussing. The circled area is sharp with increasingly blurred parts of the image radiating outwards therefrom.

 

A less obvious balance in this image: the tones created by the differential shadow on the left and right of the image balance well. The two uprights provide a natural division (rule of thirds).

There is a triangle effect here with the central small subject off centre balanced by the larger sharp grass in the foreground. A less obvious balance enabled by using a square shape for the image.

Two balance in this image: firstly , the light sky above the horizon is balanced well with the darker sky above - the clouds make for a distinct contrast.; secondly, the the lifebelt and the the tree counterbalance one another.

The larger object of the sculpture is balanced by the smaller cyclist with a central diagonal dividing the two.

Lessons learnt:

• Balance can be seen in many images. It helps to identify the balancing functions to give a good idea of what works in an image. I would like to "think balance", not necessarily to insist on it every time but to be aware of when balance is not there;
• Balance can be more then just position of subjects; it can refer also to tones and colour as demonstrated above.