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Emphasis - special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
I love to have more attention onto a single item rather than many. Which is what I love about macro images.
The emphasis being put here is on the fly, the background has nothing else interesting that could distract viewers from the only thing interesting here, the fly.
Asymmetrical Balance—elements in an image appear “out of balance” but actually do have an order based on the Rule of Thirds—divide a photo into equal thirds, both horizontally & vertically, which creates a tic-tac-toe like grid...Tip: the elements that appear at the intersections of these grid lines in composition always appear more appealing and artistic to a viewer by building more of the element of value (“pop”) in an image
There is asymmetrical balance shown here by the pigeons looking at the water. It may look like the pigeons are the only focus on the left of the picture, but the water is just as important with the pigeons looking down at it. Look at the pattern of the water, looks so silky yet salty. Like the tears of my enemies.
Radial Balance—occurs when the elements radiate from a central point of an image…this usually shows forceful or highly focused movement...Tip: radial balance is easily created in an image of a wheel or flower
Radial balance is shown here by the Sun reflecting sunlight down onto the water and the light there reflecting all over the picture.
Symmetrical Balance—balance of elements is equal on both sides: centered left & right, and/or centered top & bottom of an image...Tip: symmetrical balance is easily created as a mirror image in a composition or an when an object is placed directly in the center
Symmetrical balance is shown here by there being an equal number of objects on both sides. The ramp is in the middle, two benches on each side, trees, and buildings.
Proportion—creates frame of reference for the viewer of the actual real-life size, scale, & distance of objects within an image (i.e….placing a person in an image shows size). It also includes purposefully omitting clues of size, scale, and distance to create an illusion that something is bigger than it truly is...Tip: try to include hints as to the size of the subject in the image…but remember, sometimes it might be more powerful to hide the true size of the subject from the viewer
My subject here is the motorboat. You can see the distance that I took this picture from by the ocean surrounding the boat. You know the boat is the size of a car, now look how small it looks compared to the water around it. This is due to distance. The line in the image also looks like it is very far due to the motorboat in the image.
Movement—2 forms: (1)how a viewer’s eyes travels through an image (i.e. using leading lines), and (2) any actual (or implied) motion of the elements within an image...Tip: movement is key to keeping a viewer’s attention and interest as they take a journey through the image
There are two different movements in this picture. The way a viewer's eyes will move from left to right on the roller coaster, and the way the roller coaster is moving to the right.
Variety—using different elements that are unrelated and diverse to create more contrast and emotion in an image...Tip: remember that too much variety makes an image distracting
There is some variety in this image. The different objects in this image, combined with the desert scenery, make the tone of this image sort of lonely or quiet. Kind of sad too with the graffiti written on the board, makes it look like this place has no company.
Unity—all individual parts support and relate to each other to harmonize & make a single cohesive image...Tip: remember that too much unity makes an image boring
I really like this picture. All the parts in this image basically group up to form one peaceful image. Makes you feel like you are looking out the window and you see it sunny, like a beautiful day.
Pattern—organized repetition of art elements like colors, shapes & lines create a rhythm in an image...Tip: the key to pattern is repetition
This image shows pattern with the sticks all leading towards the middle. Kind of also gives a sense of unity. So, continue going clockwise or counterclockwise, and either way you will get a pattern in this image.
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