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Foreground/ Background

Foreground/ Background

Foreground/Background Foreground is something that appears close up front, and background is something that appears far away. In an image, something close is usually larger and something far away is smaller. Something close is usually in focus and something far away is out of focus, but not always. In images, things in the foreground and background have a connection and usually say something about each other.

Framing the Subject

Framing the Subject The palm fronds around the edge frame the subject of the far off sail boat making us focus on an otherwise small object in an image. Framing a subject is when something in an image makes a frame around the edge somehow. It will give something a feeling of importance.

Formal Balance

Formal Balance Formal balance is when an image is the same, on two sides, if you were to split it in half. The imaginary line that splits it in half is called the “axis”. The symmetry in the image along a central axis, as well as the symmetry of each body to itself in the image give a feeling of balance to the poses they are doing. The arrangement of the photo, their ages and their facial expressions give us the feeling that yoga is effective for all ages, if done well.

Informal Balance

Informal Balance Informal balance is when an image is not the same on both sides of an axis, an imaginary line that splits it in half. The image appears busier or “heavier” on one side. The image is arranged off center. The heavy counterweight is held up and back in the photo, with the crane's neck making lines that point down to the digging head. This downward imbalance gives us the feeling the head is about to start digging deeply in just a moment.

Head Room

Head Room Head room is the room above around a person's head in an image. Often it is not thought about at all, but it has an effect of how you subconsciously think about a person. When room is left around a person's head we tend to think of them as not being close to us. When the head room is cropped at the forehead we tend to feel close to the person and into their secrets. This image is a head shot, and has just enough room at the top to accommodate her upward gaze. The space is even around her head at the front, top and back so there is visual balance. There is more room than usual at the top which draws us on her expression and angelic feel.

Leading Lines

Leading Lines Leading lines are strong lines in an image, that because of they way they point or turn, lead your eye around an image. Leading lines give an image a sense of movement or can give direction to a visual message. The lines of the jutting breakwater stones and the coastline lead our eye to the city in the distant horizon. With the high angle and these lines, we feel like we are being directed toward a landing.

Lighting for Effect

Lighting for Effect Lighting for effect is the use of darks, lights and color to give a feeling. Dark colors can be sad and feel hopeless, light colors can give a feeling of goodness and hope. Light can also bring attention to an object's power. This photo uses dark blues and purple to create a feeling of cold. The bright lights on the ship across the water, get our attention. Those well lit rooms in the distance on that ship feel warm and safe compared to the coldness of the blue and dark of the outside of the ship in the foreground.

Backlighting

Backlighting is simply an image taken with bright light behind it. Often the foreground is dark, but not always. Backlighting often gives a thing ina an image a feeling of mysterious power. The backlighting of the sun on the horse in this photo frames the horse's head in a momentary halo. The backlighting connects us to a feeling of mysterious power to the horse.

High Angle

High Angle A high angle is when we, the viewer are high up looking down at something in an image. It often gives the subject of an image a feeling of being small and not powerful. We are above the woman in this image, looking down. She is looking up at us with a pleasing smile. This angle of vision where we look down at our subject has a disarming quality. She is not above us in the least.

Low Angle

Low Angle Low angle is when we, the viewers, are low down looking up at a subject. This often gives a sense of power and strength to a subject. In this image the young girl is almost as tall as the church. Despite her girl t-shirt and the fact she is a child she has a feeling of being powerful.