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Figure 12-15.Pyramid form.

Journalist 3 & 2 - Introduction to Journalism and other reporting practices
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Figure 12-14.—Compositional balance. or  value,  and  the  objects  all  appear  to  belong  in  the scene.   Balance   can   best   be   achieved   by   offsetting unequal sizes, shapes, tones or objects in a scene. A   good   method   of   balancing   objects   of   unlike shapes  and  weight  is  that  they  be  placed  at  unequal distances from the imaginary center of support. In other words, a small object placed a greater distance from the center   counterbalances   a   much   larger   object   just   as though they were on a pair of scales. A small object of considerable   importance   and   weight   can   be   used   to balance effectively a large, but less important object (fig. 12-14). The  mental  impression  of  weight  is  a  factor  in determining the relative placement of objects in a scene. Size alone does not determine the weight or value of an object.  The  tone  of  the  object  and  placement  in  the photograph are factors in deter-mining its importance. FORMS In analyzing masterpieces to learn the secret of their effectiveness,  some  experts  found  that  the  parts  of  the photograph  are  grouped according  to  some  geometrical form.  This  finding  can  prove  useful  in  planning  the composition   of   your   photograph;   however,   you   are cautioned  against  applying  it  too  mechanically.  If  you use   these   forms   without   modification,   the   resulting photographs  are  likely  to  be  stilted  and  dull.  The  real trick  is  to  use  them  in  such  a  reamer  as  to  hide  them partially. The most important basic forms are as follows: the pyramid  (sometimes  called  the  triangle),  the  circle,  the cross, the “L,” the radii and the “S.” All of these forms may  be  used  in  composition  of  material  in  a  vertical plane    or    in    a    photograph    involving    perspective. Combinations  of  these  forms,  such  as  a  circle  and  a cross, may appear in one photograph. Pyramid The pyramid form (fig. 12-15) suggests symmetry, solidity,  aspiration  or  dignity.  We  see  it  in  religious photographs,  in  church  spires  and  in  portraits  with  the head as the apex of the triangle. Circle The  circle  lends  itself  to  flower  studies,  still  life, graceful groups or landscapes timed in trees. Cross The cross composition is found in a sailboat with its reflection  in  water  forming  one  line  and  the  horizon forming the other. “L” The “L” composition may occur when a tree at one side  of  the  photograph  forms  an  “L”  with  the  horizon line. Radii The   radii   composition   has   lines   leading   into   a center,  or  out  from  it,  as  spokes  lead  to  the  hub  of  a wheel. 12-16







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