How to use visual weight in photographic composition.

Photographers are always looking for the best composition of images. By understanding the basic photography rules, you will know how to create amazing photos. Visual weight-also known as "balance"-is one of the composition rules that you can use to enhance photos. Let's see how understanding visual weight will help you become a good photographer.

What is the visual weight in photography? Visual weight or balance is a term that refers to the visual influence of elements in a work. The stronger the visual component of an element, the more eye-catching it is.

In order to achieve a balanced composition, please pay attention to the visual weight of the object. Compared with other elements in the picture, some objects have a stronger sense of existence, and you can use different rules to balance the image. For example, bright areas and dark areas are simple and effective ways to create balance.

Like other areas of photography, unique images that violate the rules can work well. But before you start breaking the rules, you'd better know the rules first!

Types of weight balance in photography 1. Symmetric weight balance

Symmetrical weight, also called "symmetrical balance", is the most obvious way of composition. When using this rule, you arrange the most important element in the center of the picture.

Most images using symmetrical weight balance are in horizontal format. This makes it easier to show symmetry element.

Elements don't need to be precise and perfect, just need to have similar feelings in weight and presence, so that they look balanced.

There are four main types of symmetry in photography. You can try vertical, horizontal, radial and reflective symmetry.

This visual weight balance is the best choice for photographing buildings and landscapes.

2. Asymmetric weight balance

Weight asymmetry, also known as "informal balance", may be difficult to achieve because it is more natural to prefer formal balance.

Following the trichotomy, you will find it easier to compose a composition in this way, and informal balance will help to achieve a unique composition that attracts attention.

If you feel that the scene is not balanced, please put one or more secondary themes in the remaining space.

3. Use stereo photography balance

You will find that size is one of the best ways to show a balanced composition, and we think bigger things are easier to use, even if this is not always the case.

Larger objects bear more weight than smaller objects, which is why they attract more viewers' attention.

You can use this idea to do this, or you can shorten the distance between you and the subject, or you can juxtapose elements of different sizes.

Use this composition method for landscape, street or architectural photography.

4. Create weight balance with color and saturation.

Bold and bright colors are more conspicuous than unsaturated colors. The burst of colors in a dull and monotonous background will attract the attention of the audience. This allows you to set the image and focus on one or two objects.

Colors can complement each other. Therefore, using contrasting colors or contrasting colors as much as possible will help to make the image more interesting.

Similar colors adjacent to each other contribute to a smooth transition from one project to another, which helps the audience to participate for a longer time.

This composition tool is suitable for portrait, food and landscape photography.

If you want to master harmonious composition, it is also useful to learn some color theories and contrast colors.

5. Create weight balance with hue and contrast.

Tone and contrast play an important role in photography. Dark objects bear more balance than light objects, and you can use it to bring benefits to photography.

In black and white photography, tone and contrast are very powerful. In black-and-white photos, the audience's attention is focused on the theme, texture and pattern, not the color. High contrast areas attract the eye, trying to capture dark objects on a light background, and vice versa.

It is wise to add some details in the blank space to help attract the audience. This technology is very useful in landscape, architecture and street photography.

6. Pay attention to different visual textures

Patterns and textures are interesting because even if we don't try, we tend to look for them and focus on them. Strong textures can help build images by balancing off-center themes.

However, a textured background can also distract the audience.

Texture can strengthen other composition rules, and the shapes and forms of foreground and background set off each other. In addition, different textures give different visual weights to elements.

You can use this composition tool in cities, streets, landscapes and abstract photography.

7. Focus weight balance

Focus is a way that we can draw the audience's attention to an area or theme in our photos, and the items in focus will have more visual weight than those out of focus.

Best of all, out-of-focus areas provide useful textures for composition, and they may even focus repeatedly, which makes the audience's eyes move once they find the focus area.

Shallow depth of field is used to achieve this effect, and focal length balance works well in landscape, food and macro photography.

8. Balance visual weight with light and shade

Light and shadow are very powerful tools in photography. Every image is a mixture of light and dark-either white and black, or highlights and shadows.

Dark images help to create an emotional atmosphere and are suitable for more serious and controversial topics. On the contrary, a lighter image can convey a softer and purer feeling.

If the two are mixed, some elements can be given different visual weights.

Darker areas will attract the audience's eyes to brighter areas. For example, you can use this technology for natural framing. Natural framing is very suitable for penetrating effects, because the eyes tend to follow bright areas.