exercise 8: Balance

This exercise examines how composition of various elements balances a photograph. We are asked to consider old photo's we've taken in the past and work out their balance... where they are weighted. Below are the photographs with sketches:

When I took this picture I was focusing on capturing the pattern of the sky light as set against the central building. Looking at it again it's clear that the banners are as integral to the composition as the the hard structures, were they not there, then the skylight would dominate the picture. Their position with the picture draws the focus onto the central structure

I love this photo, it's so quirky and tongue in cheek. The composition loosely follows the rule that the larger element should spread towards the centre and the smaller element should be placed towards the edge. Almost! I'll know for next time

Not sure what to make of this one... the central reflection of the sunset sky dominates the picture as intended but on reflection, I'm not sure that this photograph works. the darker areas don't so much focus the eye on the subject but rather distract the attention. I thought I liked it but no more

Rule of thirds with a twist? Elements of water, earth and air each sharing a space in the picture. I think that the band of vegetation breaks up the horizon and creates a focal point which is reflected in the water

This photograph was intentionally taken with most of the areas underexposed to try and capture the last rays of sunlight breaking through the trees. I wasn't thinking of how to balance the picture at the time, but it is interesting to see that both above and below the light the picture is very underexposed and yet the light breaking through the middle of the picture acts as a counter weight to the darker areas balancing the picture as a whole.

When i took this I was trying to mimic the old painters who always painted along strict geometric principles, usually involving a triangle. Not sure it works as well with corals!