A Sense of Balance
Monday and we are into the second week of our Rāhui. How are you going? It seems to me like this journey of our new-new is taking a while. Now I am trying to find my new-new norm, I am creating routines so I find a sense of balance in my day. It helps. Up in the morning first thing and straight into some exercise. Shower, breaky, chats and go take Molly for a walk. Then into some work. I plan my day so I know what I want to achieve. Establishing my targets and making more. The end of the day depends on the type of day on what I do. If it is grey I have to admit, I am not that inspired to go out. If it sunny I am drawn outside for another stroll and more photography. Probably like most people. If I keep developing my routines, I get to create my sense of balance in each day. During my day it is hard for me not to think of photography. I admit I am a little obsessed and thoroughly enjoy the process. I actually find it very therapeutic.
Having a sense of balance was the third guideline I proposed in my blog on April 2nd. To gain this there are some technical elements you can use. Like dividing your frame up into threes and if your main subject is situated in the frame where the lines intersect this is often where the viewer is naturally drawn. There are many configurations that help, so I suggest you start with the basics then work out from there. You will discover a range of ways you can frame an image. For example the golden triangle, golden ratio, Fibonacci spiral, and the diagonal. These are all ways to position your subject and make your images great. Look them up :)
Cover Image
Canon EOS R, f/16, 20sec, 70mm, ISO-100 - 'Old Wharf'
This image has a level of simplicity and a sense of balance. I think to improve the image I wonder if I could have cropped in tighter? None the less I like the image.
Panasonic, G9, f/6.3, 1/250sec, 56mm = 112mm, ISO-800 - 'Covid Escape'
This image would not make you go wow. However, I put it in to show a sense of balance. The runner, boat sheds and rock outcrop provide the image a sense of balance. What would make this a much better image is light, and that I did not have time to wait, nor was it ever going to brighten up in the time I had.
Panasonic, G9, f/7.1, 1/250sec, 54mm = 114mm, ISO-800 - 'Leaving'
The image is balanced by three elements. Two leaves and the stalk. I took this looking up so the bright clouded sky was the background. I applied three stops of exposure compensation in the camera to ensure the leaves were correctly exposed.
Andy`s Photography Tip: 'A Sense of Balance'
Consider your photography as art! One of the rules from my blog on April 2 when composing an image was;
3. A sense of balance
Some questions to ask yourself that may help;
- What are the key elements in your image?
- Do these elements create a sense of balance within your image?
- Do the main elements of the image intersect with the grid points or rule of thirds?
- Is there extra clutter in your frame that will be distracting and make your image look too complicated?
Please put a comment or emoji below. If you have any questions pop them in the comments box below or send me a video with your questions via Facebook - keep taking photos and get out there!
Andy Thompson