Dividing The Frame

Exercise: Balance

A selection of previously taken photographs and why I think they are either balanced or unbalanced.

Picture 1

 

Sketch 1

For Picture 1 I have selected a shot of a live band in action. The photograph was taken almost side-on to the stage. The bass player is the most prominent, and largest subject in the frame. He is placed almost centrally within the image and even though there are three other musicians in view, the fact that he does occupy a dominant central area gives the composition some balance.

Picture 2

Sketch 2

In picture 2 I am playing cards with myself. Everything in the frame is of similar dimensions. However, because of the vacant space to the right of the image this photograph is unbalanced.

Picture 3

Sketch 3

Picture 3 appears nicely balanced as there are lines of symmetry in the form of foliage, radiating around the central subject.

Picture 4

Sketch 4

 In picture 4, again the largest subject within the composition is closer to the centre of the image with the smaller object nearer the edge. This gives the picture good balance, aided by the fact that the face of the sphinx is looking into the rest of the frame.

Picture 5

Sketch 5

 Picture 5 also has good balance as, similarly to picture 3, we have lines of symmetry throughout the image radiating around the central window. The eyes are naturally drawn through the image.

Picture 6

Sketch 6

In picture 6 we have a coin and its reflection. The reflection is positioned fairly centrally but the coin itself is slightly offset to the left. This unbalances the image in my opinion, making the picture almost appear to lean to one side.

This exercise on balance has been a real eye opener. For many years I have liked certain pictures for their balanced composition but without really appreciating the elements involved in producing good balance. Certainly this is something I hope to take forward with me and apply to my future work.

Exercise: Positioning the horizon

While working on the exercise "Object in different positions in the frame" I decided to shoot the sequence for "Positioning the horizon" immediately afterwards. Firstly because the subject matter seemed to fit, and secondly because the weather and light were too nice not to take advantage of.

Photograph 1

In photograph 1 the horizon has been placed very close to the top of the image. At the time of shooting this scene I thought it looked a little odd. However, once processed it doesn't look quite so bad, despite the lack of obvious foreground interest. I think the curve of darker ground in the foreground probably demands just a little attention.

Photograph 2

In photograph 2 the horizon now occupies a spot approximately one third of a frame from the top. Although this corresponds to the "rule of thirds", the picture seems to lack the depth of photograph 1.

Photograph 3

The horizon has been placed centrally in photograph 3. The picture does seem fairly static, although having the fisherman set one third into the frame from the left does counteract this somewhat. Overall I think this is a fairly pleasing, well balanced image.

Photograph 4

The horizon now occupies a position one third from the bottom of the frame in photograph 4, again a classic "rule of thirds" composition. This places more emphasis on the sky, which unfortunately on this ocassion is completely featureless! Had there been an amount of cloud formation, this would have been a very pleasing picture. As it is it still isn't too bad.

Photograph 5

In photograph 5 I have positioned the horizon as close as I can to the bottom of the frame without cutting off the fishermans legs. Of the five photographs in this exercise this is the one I like the least. It lacks depth and the emphasis has been placed more on the sky than the man with the fishing rods.

Of all the pictures here I'd say that for me Photograph 4 just edges out Photograph 1. Photograph 1 was a bit of a surprise for me, I hadn't expected it to have demanded so much attention, particularly with what initially seems like a bare foreground. Closer inspection reveals that the foreground is more interesting than seen at first glance and certainly adds depth to the image. Definitely something to think about in the future. Photograph 4 just looks really well balanced. The horizon is a third of the way up and the fisherman is a third of the way in. It just needs a little more character in the sky.