The following is a direct copy and has been Pasted in for future reference from the Art of Photography coursework PDF Doc. (pasted in Maroon)
6 photographs
Take half a dozen of your own already-taken photographs, and decide how the balance works in each one. It doesn’t matter whether the main elements in the picture are masses of tone or colour, or arrangements of points or lines. Look for what seems to you to be the dominant part (or parts) of the image. Identify them in a small rectangular sketch, as in the examples above, and alongside sketch the ‘weighing scale’ interpretation. Now compare the different pictures. Did you find it easier to identify the balance in some of them than in others? In general, the simpler the composition of a photograph that is, the fewer and more distinct the elements – the more obvious the balance will be.
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Equipment
Previous pictures I have taken, to be assessed on Balance characteristics.
Method & Approach
I have selected six pictures, previously taken by me and applied a visual Balance in the form of a simple rectangular diagram and also beneath each image a diagram giving a ‘weighing scale’ interpretation.
Please see pictures and captions below for visual understanding.
Note – all pictures have been compressed hence there will be a quality reduction when enlarging.
Starting with an easy picture in the diagram below we can see a representation of the Balance of this image.
Simple Diagram representing the balance of the above picture.
Simple diagram representing a ‘weighing scale’ interpretation of the above picture.
With this picture in the diagram below we can see a representation of the balance laying heavier to the left-hand side.
Simple Diagram representing the balance of the above picture.
Simple diagram representing a ‘weighing scale’ interpretation of the above picture.
Due to the visual weight of the buildings being more biased to the left in this picture, the diagram below represents the balance laying heavier to the left-hand side.
Simple Diagram representing the balance of the above picture.
Simple diagram representing a ‘weighing scale’ interpretation of the above picture.
In this picture the trees are pretty much equally displaced within the frame and in the diagram below we can see a representation of the balance laying central or equally balanced.
Simple Diagram representing the balance of the above picture.
Simple diagram representing a ‘weighing scale’ interpretation of the above picture.
Above in this picture we see the motorhome being slightly more biased to the left, the diagram below represents this by showing the balance laying just a little heavier to the left side.
Simple Diagram representing the balance of the above picture.
Simple diagram representing a ‘weighing scale’ interpretation of the above picture.
In this picture the new leaves on the tree come in from the right but due to the focal effect and the similarity in background colour, it could be suggested that it is central. Being critical I would class it as slightly biased to the right in balance.
Simple Diagram representing the balance of the above picture.
Simple diagram representing a ‘weighing scale’ interpretation of the above picture.
What have I learnt from this exercise
From this exercise I have learnt that pictures all have a character of their own and with this comes a visual balance in the way the pictures sits, some lay heavy either side and some are slightly or very central.
My Reflection
I have also learnt that prior taking a picture, we might adhere to the rule of thirds, the lesson here is don’t just shoot, take into account the balance when looking through the viewfinder.
stingray493 