Even if you are not consciously aware of it, your eyes and your brain respond more favorably to images that are in balance, or are symmetrical, than those that are not. For this reason, photographers can generate strong reactions from their audience by their use of balance—or by their choice to exclude it. Balance, or lack thereof, adds to the meaning of a photograph. In this Assignment, you will take a photograph, balancing the key elements within it through the careful placement of those elements.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Review Chapters 2 and 3 in the course text, The Photographer’s Eye.
• Choose three design features from this week’s reading to apply to your composition of a balanced photograph.
• Review the article, “Visual Balance—Means Taking Another Look” in this week’s Learning Resources and the website “Balance in Composition: Everything You Need to Know.”
• Consider how you will use design features to create balance in the composition of your photograph.
• Compose and take the photograph.

By Day 7

The Assignment:

• Apply design basics to the composition of a balanced photograph by creating a 2-slide PowerPoint presentation that includes the following:

  Slide 1:

  • In one photograph, apply three design features chosen to create balance in your photograph.
  • Include a brief description of your photograph (title and subject).
  • Slide 2:
  • Write a 2- to 3-paragraph description of the three chosen design basics used to create balance in the composition of your photograph. Include answers to the following:
    • Evaluate your effectiveness at achieving your photographic goal.
    • Analyze what you might do differently next time. Explain.
• Be sure to cite at least one example from the course readings to support your writing