Still Compositions

The Diagonal Rule

A photo using the diagonal rule sends the viewer's eye across the z axis of the picture. This photo starts at the bottom corner, but leads your eye through the bottom corner to the top opposite corner. The use of a diagonal in this photo shows more dynamics than if it was on a horizontal axis. 

Motion Vectors

This photo shows the motion vector as it guides the direction the eye moves through the photograph. This framing traps the girl in and has the sense that she has no where to go. As the baby is the main subject, it creates a comforting feeling knowing the baby is safe and won't fall off the trampoline. There can be a lot of psychological contexts taken from using motion vectors in a photograph. 

Rule of Thirds

In this photo the main point of interest are the rocks mixed in the water and sky. The main points of interest take up two-thirds of the frame, where as the negative space, the sand, only takes up the one-third. The main points are in the lines of intersection. 

Contrast, Balance, and Harmony

The Contrast of this photo is the sharp image of the arm, piece of the tutu and the corner of her head compared to the soft image of her silhouette in the window. The contrast creates the image. Without the reflection, we would not know what the woman was or is doing. The contrast of the colors give it a subtle and pleasant view. The shadow gives it depth and also makes you wonder if she is in a studio looking out or on the street looking in.

This would be an asymmetrical image. You are only seeing a little section of her body while the whole body is displayed in the reflection. The use of asymmetrical balance in this image makes it more interesting. If we saw the whole body in the image it would still be beautiful, but this makes is stupefying. It's curious and allows the mind to draw conclusions. By ignoring symmetrical design the image causes amusement and pleasure to the eye.

Harmony is established through the reflected silhouette. It gives that beautiful image of the ballerina and the awe of the beauty. As a dancer who always dreamed of performing in New York, it gives me that hope. I draw the conclusion that she is standing outside looking in on her dream of dancing at a prestige company. It gives the feeling of hope and establishes a dream.

Bounty vs Brawny

A paper towel is a paper towel, but the design is what sells it. As I have compared Bounty to Brawny a few things struck out to me. First of all the noise from the Brawny add was too much. The mascot man over took the display of the paper towel. There was too much going on in the Brawny ad. Also, the colors are very dull. It doesn't catch the eye. On the other hand the colors pop in the Bounty advertisement. It catches your eye and makes you look at the whole image. Also, the context for Brawny is boring. It just states that they're paper towels and napkins, where Bounty gives the slogan, "One sheet keeps cleaning." this slogan is much more persuasive and has more appeal to their audience.

I believe one ad is affective and the other is not. One may ask, "What makes Brawny better?" All this ad says is that the paper towels are white and they have napkins as well. And what does the guy have to do with anything? Bounty on the other hand tells you how they as a product will benefit you. The Bounty ad has you noticing what they are, where the Brawny ad may leave you confused. Obviously we have an affective and not so affective advertisements.

Cognitively, the same ideas come to mind with affective design. When I look at Brawny I don't think paper towels. The colors are dull and boring and don't catch your eye. You aren't THINKING you need to buy it RIGHY AWAY! Bounty at least gives you that sense that it will help you. When they say clean in one sheet, everyone jumps at that. What mom doesn't want to go through a roll of paper towels a day. It also shows examples of what you can clean with their product. It's simple, yet descriptive at the same time. Let's the audience feel like they can be at peace and trust the product.

The psychomotor effects can make a person wonder whether it will do the job. They may wonder if the product will give them what they need. Bounty guarantees that, where Brawny doesn't give that relief from any consequence.

The font style really grabs my eye in the Bounty ad. Even though it is black, the boldness helps it pop, as well as the bright colors around it. Even though there is so much color in the ad, my eye is drawn immediately to the name. The outline in white also helps to give it that pop. Brawny does the same thing as Bounty, in making their name pop. However, I think their name is too squished together. It looks awkward.

Another thing that sticks out to me is the font size. In the Bounty ad is shows the paper towel, but blown up so we can read the detail on the plastic wrap. All Brawny does is show a small version of the paper towel. Nothing can be read on it. It doesn't tell you anything about their product. The designers should have at least made the information on the paper towel readable.

Overall, the Bounty ad grabs your attention, gives the affective feeling that their product will do the job, and is pleasing to they eye. The bright colors and curvy lines make it nice to look at. Brawny's ad is definitely too boring. Where both are simple, one does a better job at making the simplicity a pleasing thing.

Gestalt Principles

Gestalt's Principles include the law of similarity, proximity, pragnanz, continuity, and closure. The law that sticks out to me the most in this image is the law of continuity. The dancer's legs are separated, but the eye flows smoothly from the top of her right foot clear down to her supporting foot. Instead of two separate lines, you see one.

The next one that caught my eye was the law of pragnanz. This dancer's body is making several different shapes between her arched back and arms stretched behind her, but the simplicity of it is the line of her legs. That's what sticks out. She makes it look simple to the eye.

The next is the law of closure. You can tell that she is in a performance hall of some sort on a stage. Even though you cannot see the whole hall or even a big portion of the stage, we as observers can put the pieces together without seeing the whole venue.

One that might be a little more difficult to find is the law of proximity. If you look closely you see empty seats in the theater. The seats are all the same size and shape and are horizontally placed together. They are near each other, therefore grouped together.

The last one is the law of similarity. This one and proximity are very similar in this photo. The law states that similar things are grouped together. As I stated before the chairs are all made identical and placed next to each other equidistant apart. If you look more closely at the top you also have two lights that take the shape of squares that are grouped together and evenly spaced. There are also what look like smaller lights even above that that are rectangles evenly spaced out in a horizontal line.  The last thing that draws my eye is similarity are the entrance doors to the theater. They are rectangular and grouped together. As I look closely at the background of the image I begin to notice all these shapes grouped together by similarity.

The focus of the piece is obviously the dancer, but as I begin to really analyze every piece of it I have noticed other phenomenal aspects of this photo. The photographer did an amazing job capturing this photo and establishing an intriguing background.