Project 52, Week 9 - Light/Dark Balance

"Balance in photographic composition is a matter of making pictures look harmonious. Each element in a picture has a certain amount of value in respect to all the other elements. Every tone, mass, shape, tree, rock figure, building, line, or shadow contributes a certain amount of weight that must be arranged correctly in the composition to give the impression of balance." (NAVY photography manual)

This month we have discussed several elements and techniques to help us achieve compositional balance and we left out a few. 

This week we look at balancing light and dark elements in our photographs. 

• Dark elements have more visual weight than light colored elements so a larger light area will be needed to balance a dark area
• The eye is drawn to the brightest part of a scene. 
• You can add visual weight to a light colored object by placing it in front of a dark area (and vice versa) 
• Although light and dark balance can sometimes be observed (appreciated) better in black and white photography, it is not limited to black and white photos. 
• The effective balance of light and dark elements can add emotions: drama, mystery, fright, happiness, hope

This topic will be explored in different ways several times in the coming year, but this week look at the suggested photographs to get a feel for this compositional tool and to develop your photographer's eye.

Suggested Reading and Photograph examples:

1. Imogen Cunningham (Warning: she specialized in botanical subjects, industrial landscapes, and nudes)  I also suggest you search Google images for imogen cunningham photography.
2. Balance and Flow in Landscape Photography from Mountain High Workshops; a pdf article illustrating the topic
3. Composition: Balance from Media College.com; two photographs illustrating light/dark balance
4. Basic Composition Techniques: Balance from Expert Photography; an article with photos
5. Balance from North Penn School District
6. Photography Rules of Composition: Visual Weight from Ultimate Photo Tips
7. Fundamental of Photography, Composition & Light by Matt Eddy from Oil-Rig Productions; a pdf file - see pages 6 and 7 -  In the Balance photo on page 6, notice how the shadows balance the lighter background.  In the next slide notice how the dark sky balances the light colored water.

Refer to the 2012-Project-12-52-365 for the year's list of topics.