Balance in Photography: 5 Types of Balance in Photography

Balance is a compositional technique in photography that involves arranging the main subject and other elements within the frame of a photograph so that everything in the image has equal visual weight. Visual weight refers to the object(s) within the image that draws the viewer’s eye. Typically, objects that are larger or brighter have greater visual weight than smaller or darker ones.

Photographers must consider many elements to achieve a balanced photo, including the size and placement of the main subject within the frame, its proximity to other objects in the image, and the contrast between their colors, tones, and even textures.

To achieve a balanced photograph, photographers must understand how to arrange the main subject in the image and surrounding elements so that one does not have more visual weight than others, resulting in an unbalanced photograph. There are five types of balance in photography composition:

1. 1. Asymmetrical balance: Also known as informal balance, asymmetrical balance involves the deliberate off-center placement of the main subject in the photograph. It’s a common composition technique in photography tutorials, and its core concept of asymmetry informs many of the other types of balances. It’s also a more complicated form of photography composition; to achieve asymmetrical balance, you have to balance the visual weight of your main subject with a dissimilar object or objects on the opposite side of the frame. In some cases, negative space—the unoccupied area surrounding the main subject—can also work as part of asymmetrical balance.
2. 2. Color balance: Color balance is a form of asymmetrical balance that contrasts bright, vibrant colors with more neutral colors. Bright colors have more visual weight than pastel or muted tones, and too much of one or the other can make the image feel unbalanced. You can achieve color balance by juxtaposing a small splash of bold color against a larger neutral, empty space, or vice versa.
3. 3. Conceptual balance: This technique relies more on the idea that’s depicted by the photograph than the individual balance elements. A conceptually balanced composition features two objects that are philosophical opposites. A photograph featuring a modern skyscraper on the left side of the image and a Victorian home on the right side is an example of conceptual balance.
4. 4. Symmetrical balance: Among the most basic compositional techniques is symmetrical balance, also known as formal balance. Symmetrical balance requires the photographer to place the main subject at the center of the image so that both sides appear symmetrical or as a mirror image if vertical lines are drawn through them. In landscape photography, a symmetrically balanced image might feature the reflection of a tree, bird or other object in the water. Some symmetrically balanced photos may feature an abundance of negative space to emphasize the image’s focal point.
5. 5. Tonal balance: Like color balance, tonal balance relies on juxtaposing dark images with lighter ones in black-and-white photography. Dark colors, like bright colors, have greater visual weight than lighter ones, so a tonally balanced photograph would feature images in black and darker shades of grey that contrasted with areas of lighter shades and white.

There are many ways to capture balance in photography. Here are some photography tips for achieving it:

• Use contrast. You can achieve balance by contrasting size (large objects with smaller ones), texture (smooth surfaces with uneven ones), and amount (a single object of one type surrounded by numerous identical objects). Orientation can also provide balance by juxtaposing vertical or diagonal objects, which are heavy in terms of visual weight, with horizontal ones, which have lighter visual weight.
• Experiment with in-camera options. There are many in-camera and post-processing options that you can use to achieve balance in your photos. Adjusting the depth of field or using a wide-angle lens can make images look less busy at the edges of the frame. You can also crop the image or adjust the ratio to draw the viewer’s eye to the object(s) that provide your balance.
• Observe your subject before taking the photo. Look closely at the subject of your photo before you take any pictures. Too many subjects in the frame will leave you with an unbalanced photo. Keep it simple and focus on just a few objects.
• Incorporate the rule of thirds. Asymmetrical balance shares a connection to the rule of thirds. This compositional technique divides any image into three fields by placing an imaginary grid pattern of four vertical and horizontal lines over it. Objects located where the lines intersect on the grid have visual appeal. Use the rule of thirds if you’re unsure of how to balance your image.

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