Balance

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Balance

One of the dictionary definitions of balance is that it is a ‘state of equilibrium… created by an equal distribution of weight.’ The opposite to balance is… imbalance, when equilibrium is no longer possible due to instability caused by an unequal distribution of weight. All of which – honestly! – has relevance to composition.

First though, here is a small thought experiment to try. Look at one of your recent photos and imagine that it is supported by a pivot placed centrally beneath. Now, look at both halves of the image above the pivot. Is there more happening visually one side? If so, this is an indication that a picture is unbalanced. This can be taken further by assigning a metaphorical weight to elements in an image. A heavy element is something that immediately attracts our attention, such as a person, or a bright colour like red or yellow. (Cooler colours such as blue or green are less visually heavy than warm colours like red.). A shot with one or more people on one side only is far more visually heavy on that side than the other. (The image would therefore tip over in that direction on our imaginary pivot.) The way around this is to add something that acts as a counterweight, such as moving a few people to the other side, or adding an equally visually heavy ‘counterweight’, such as an unusual natural or architectural feature. Other examples of subjects with a heavy visual weight include writing, found on signs or posters, for example, as well as animals and body parts such as the eyes and hands.

Is this a good or bad thing? Symmetrical images are the ultimate balanced image, and it has been hinted that these can be pleasing if lacking in dynamism. Something that is unbalanced has an inherent tension and interest. The appeal of a game like Jenga is watching to see when the tower will topple, and delighting when it finally does. (Unless of course it was your block that caused the fall.) If the tower were permanently stable it would be a very dull game. An unbalanced picture often has a similar appeal.