Frame and Composition: Activity 4

Collect one image where the photographer has placed the main subject off center and retained a sense of balance and one image where the photographer has placed the main subject off center and created a sense of imbalance.

Discuss the possible intentions of the photographer in creating each image.
Create four images, placing the focal point and/or visual weight in different areas of the frame. Discuss whether each image is balanced.

Photo by Ian Sobolev

Photo by AJ Wells

The subject of this photo is the pier that is off centered at the bottom right. However, the photograph continues to stay balanced because the mountains and part of the tree keep the visual weight evenly distributed throughout the frame.









In this photo, the main subject is placed off to the left of the center of the photo. It is an example of imbalance because the right side of the photo is completely black and puts more stress on the bird. Even the stick the bird is on does not lead out far enough to create balance.

Photo by Stephane Paquet

This next photo, like that last, does not have balance. The firefighter is the point of focus and is off set to the left, along with the brick beside him. The gray/white at the right of the photograph practically forces the viewer to direct his or her attention to the subject, creating some discomfort.

Photo by Louren Lucero

The picture of the waterfall does have balance because the visual weight is evenly distributed throughout the entire photograph. The waterfall, which is the subject, is off to the left, while the green hill and rocky cliff balances out the right side of the photo.

Photo by Louren Lucero

My next photo also works with balance. The milky-green river is the focal point, but the lighter cliffs around it create contrast that keep the entire frame balanced.

Photo by Louren Lucero

The last photo, I feel, is the best example of balance. The rocky landscape is the obvious subject, while the green evergreens balance the rest of the photo. The larger evergreen at the left of the photo directly counteracts the rocks in the distance, while the spread of trees at the bottom of the photograph balance out the blue sky at the top.