How to Balance a Photo

A major component of photo composition is balance. Although a strong focal point will draw the viewer's eyes, a photo that is too strongly weighted in any one visual aspect -- such as subject size, color or contrast -- may look off, unnatural, or overwhelming. Compositional balance attempts to "right the ship" by adding secondary points of interest; by reframing the shot or finding new angles from which to shoot, the photo can end up being much stronger than the original composition. Post-production re-balancing can also be done using several methods.

Instructions

Taking the Photo

1




A lower or higher point of view may create a stronger composition.

Find a different height from which to shoot. By lowering yourself to ground level or shooting from an elevated position, the composition changes dramatically. For example, a landscape shot with a lot of empty space may be saved by shooting from a higher position, which puts more of the land in the composition.

2

Find a new angle. Moving horizontally can place a tree, bush or other object into the composition; these objects may also work well for a "frame-within-a-frame" type of shot.

3

Zoom. If you have a lens with zoom capability, try shooting from the same angle with different focal lengths to find a composition without too much empty or overly busy space.

4




Try a vertical composition for a more balanced shot.

Turn the camera to shoot vertically. A taller composition may work better, especially if it is a busy or overly contrasty background.

Post-Processing

5

Crop the photo. Like zooming, cropping allows you to find a better composition from the same angle. Try a variety of different crops with different sizes and locations.

6




A black and white treatment may work better for some compositions.

Convert the photo to black and white. If clashing colors or an overly saturated background is detracting from the photograph's main subject, a gray-scale conversion may end up in a stronger composition.

7

Increase the contrast or saturation. If the photo is flat or dull in terms of color and contrast, this may help to create a more appealing image.

---

A major component of photo composition is balance. Although a strong focal point will draw the viewer's eyes, a photo that is too strongly weighted in any one visual aspect -- such as subject size, color or contrast -- may look off, unnatural, or overwhelming. Compositional balance attempts to "right the ship" by adding secondary points of interest; by reframing the shot or finding new angles from which to shoot, the photo can end up being much stronger than the original composition. Post-production re-balancing can also be done using several methods.

Instructions

Taking the Photo

1




A lower or higher point of view may create a stronger composition.

Find a different height from which to shoot. By lowering yourself to ground level or shooting from an elevated position, the composition changes dramatically. For example, a landscape shot with a lot of empty space may be saved by shooting from a higher position, which puts more of the land in the composition.

2

Find a new angle. Moving horizontally can place a tree, bush or other object into the composition; these objects may also work well for a "frame-within-a-frame" type of shot.

3

Zoom. If you have a lens with zoom capability, try shooting from the same angle with different focal lengths to find a composition without too much empty or overly busy space.

4




Try a vertical composition for a more balanced shot.

Turn the camera to shoot vertically. A taller composition may work better, especially if it is a busy or overly contrasty background.

Post-Processing

5

Crop the photo. Like zooming, cropping allows you to find a better composition from the same angle. Try a variety of different crops with different sizes and locations.

6




A black and white treatment may work better for some compositions.

Convert the photo to black and white. If clashing colors or an overly saturated background is detracting from the photograph's main subject, a gray-scale conversion may end up in a stronger composition.

7

Increase the contrast or saturation. If the photo is flat or dull in terms of color and contrast, this may help to create a more appealing image.

---

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