Balance

Something we have not covered yet is balance, this terms refers to the weight a subject has within an image, the following paragraph explains this better...

Balance is a compositional technique in photography that juxtaposes images within a frame so that the objects are of equal visual weight. When different parts of a photo command your attention equally, perfect balance is achieved. In photography, there are two main techniques of balance you should be aware of: formal and informal. We’ll discuss the difference between each and how they can affect your photo.

It's essentially a composition element that looks at the weight a subject has across the overall image. 

Formal balance can be defined as symmetrical balance. All you have to do is frame the shot so that one or more identical or similar subjects are repeated symmetrical on each sides of a given point.

Informal balance is a less obvious form of balance in photography and requires more attention. It’s a concept that can be difficult to be specific about because it can be achieved in a variety of ways. Simply put, informal balance occurs when dissimilar elements balance each other out on each side of the frame. The size of each element can be irrelevant, but more often than not it’s better to have a larger element juxtaposed with a smaller element or elements to make a good composition.

What is the best way to compose this photograph?

Task:

1. Look at your old photographs, pick one and have a go at analysing making sure to cover  balance in your analysis.
2. Make your own notes on balance and how to use it in your work