The Crucifix of Badia Fiorentina, Florence

Photograph Copyright ©2013 Loo Yen Yeo. All Rights Reserved.

Concept: Balance (dynamic equilibrium); Single point (extreme periphery); Triangles (downward-pointing)

Description: The eye is naturally drawn to bright points of light, in this case the window in the apse of the Florentine Abbey, a site famous for manuscript copying and illumination. The framing of the window at the periphery is to accommodate the size and position of the crucifix - its visual counterweight. There are two main triangles: a literal downward-pointing triangle, whose two sides are formed by the crucifix's suspending filaments; a horizontal triangle implied by the apse window and the cross.

Title: 'Assumption of the Virgin'

Frescoes of the Right Transept, Basilica di Santa Trinità, Florence

Photograph Copyright ©2013 Loo Yen Yeo. All Rights Reserved.

Concept: Gestalt perception (continuity); Triangles (implication); Gestalt perception (proximity); Gestalt perception (similarity); Gestalt perception (common fate); Gestalt perception (completion); Balance (static equilibrium); Dividing the frame (simple geometric)

Description: The top of the vaulted arch (out of shot) forms the apex of an implied triangle by the Principle of Continuity, with its baseline at the cornice. Four triangles are contained therein: two actual ones, above two implied triangles of the chapel arches. The shadows and the altar of the Doni Chapel imply further triangles. Principles of Proximity and Similarity combine to Common Fate - completing the larger triangles of the chapels, and implying two more by the fall of shadows within them.

Title: Ascension

02.03 Balance

The concept of balance lies at the centre of visual composition. Balance is the establishment of equilibrium through the resolution of visual tension in order to give images harmony.

Static equilibrium
Balance is achieved through symmetry, where elements of equal weight are placed equidistant from a central point or axis - everything 'falls away' from this centre evenly giving a measured, uniform feeling. The possibilities for symmetrical composition occur more frequently in man-made environments.

Dynamic equilibrium
Balance is achieved through asymmetry, where elements are placed at distances inversely proportional to their weight from the central point or axis - flow of movement from the centre occurs at different rates, accelerating and decelerating, giving rise to a sense of dynamism.

In practice, the environment rarely provides us with perfect conditions, so the resolution of visual tension from multiple sources cannot be achieved in a formulaic manner, requiring us instead to resort to the use of developed intuition.

Imbalance
Harmony may not be necessary or even desirable in the visual expression of an idea. The unease from a sense of unchecked falling, of suspension, or of a lack of resolution, can increase the intensity with which emotionally-charged content is experienced.

So perhaps it would be better to say that the concept of balance, its presence or absence, lies at the centre of visual composition.

Victoria Ivanova at Teatro Titano, San Marino

Photograph Copyright ©2012 Loo Yen Yeo. All Rights Reserved.

Concepts: Motion (complex streaking); Itten's contrasts (black/white); Balance (imbalance); Dynamic tension (single object)

Description: Victoria Ivanova's solo performance "Dervish tours" was captured in San Marino's national theatre, Teatro Titano, during the 32nd World Congress on Dance Research. The world's top dance professionals and researchers were brought together for a magical weekend in late June 2012 by Unione Folclorica Italiana (UFI) under the auspices Conseil International de la Dance (CID) UNESCO.

The framing of Victoria's twirling figure is deliberately offset creating dynamism through imbalance (in the conventional sense). However her orientation into larger space prevents the visual weight from pitching too far to the right; if she were to face the other direction, there would be greater imbalance and sense of progressive movement to the right.

Title: Victoria