Discussion: Design Basics Used To Create Balance In Chinese

Discussion: Design Basics Used To Create Balancethe Chinese Have A The

Passage contains various discussion prompts regarding the photographic works of Diane Arbus, focusing on her use of composition, balance, and emotional impact. The key instructions involve analyzing her photograph "Child with Toy Hand Grenade" (1962), examining how the use of a square frame influences the balance of the photograph, the elements contributing to its balance, and how these elements guide viewer attention. Also, it requires comparing this with another Arbus photograph, "Identical Twins" (1967), discussing similarities and differences in composition and emotional content. The final task asks for a focused analysis of how Arbus uses placement to create or disrupt balance in her images, citing specific examples and discussing the emotional versus informational emphasis of her photographs.

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Judging from the photographic compositions of Diane Arbus, her use of framing and placement fundamentally influences the perception of balance within her images. Specifically, in her photograph "Child with Toy Hand Grenade" (1962), Arbus employs a square format—a choice that traditionally imparts a sense of rigidity, formality, and even constraint, given its equal sides and lack of directional bias (Freeman, 2013). This framing inherently draws the viewer's eye inward, encouraging an intense focus on the subject at the center. In this image, Arbus carefully positions the boy, whose facial expression exudes anger, at the core of the square frame, accentuated by the deliberate placement of elements such as the toy grenade and the contrasting trees behind him.

The composition's balance is achieved through the careful arrangement of visual weights. The boy's posture, with arms slightly raised and tense, becomes the focal point, complemented by the hanging strap on his shorts that introduces a diagonal line, subtly guiding the viewer's gaze toward his face. The two slender trees aligned behind him serve as vertical elements echoed by his legs, establishing symmetry that grounds the intense emotional expression at the center. These elements reinforce a sense of balance despite the chaos implied by his facial expression, creating a tension that draws viewers to examine the emotional content beneath the composed exterior. Interestingly, although the background features minimal distractions—primarily the trees—the focus remains firmly on the boy, demonstrating how Arbus uses composition to emphasize emotional intensity while maintaining structural stability.

Contrasting this, in her photograph "Identical Twins" (1967), Arbus employs a different approach to achieve balance. Here, the two girls, dressed identically and positioned centrally, serve as mirror images of each other. Their facial expressions—one slightly smiling and the other slightly frowning—establish a visual and emotional symmetry that anchors the frame. Notably, Arbus opts for a plain background, devoid of distracting elements, directing all attention toward the twins’ faces. This minimalist background amplifies the emotional dichotomy between the two twins, emphasizing their individuality despite physical similarity. Unlike "Child with Toy Hand Grenade," Arbus's balance here is solely achieved through placement and contrast within the subject matter, rather than background elements.

Both photographs guide the viewer’s attention toward the central figures, but through contrasting methods—one by using background elements to reinforce balance, and the other by isolating the subjects against a plain backdrop. In "Child with Toy Hand Grenade," the viewer’s gaze initially locks onto the boy’s face and turmoil, but the background elements—trees and walking figures—add contextual tension by hinting at a broader social and wartime backdrop. Meanwhile, in "Identical Twins," the focus is entirely on the twins' faces, and the symmetry between their expressions creates emotional tension that is undisturbed by external distractions. Therefore, Arbus’s skillful placement manipulates focus, balancing chaos and calm, emotional intensity and compositional stability.

Overall, Arbus’s deliberate use of placement—whether through background elements, subject positioning, or symmetrical arrangements—serves as a tool to create or disrupt visual and emotional balance. In "Child with Toy Hand Grenade," balance is achieved through background alignment and diagonal lines that direct focus toward the boy’s expression, enhancing the emotional tension. Conversely, in "Identical Twins," she simplifies the composition, allowing the twins’ expressions and placement to generate a subtle, yet equally powerful sense of equilibrium. These contrasting techniques showcase her mastery in using placement not only to establish visual harmony but also to deepen the emotional impact of her photographs.

References

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• Marien, M. W. (2002). Diane Arbus: A Cultural History. Harry N. Abrams.
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