Creating calm with Rhythm and Harmony

Colour harmony As a photographer I have a strong interest in colours and patterns in the image, and the way we perceive them.

Many people have told me that this photograph conveys a sense of calm:

 

Birch trees in the Cotswolds

There are several reasons why this is calm and restful, here are the main ones:

• Harmonious Colours:  Greens yellows and greys complement one another and not contrast

• Even Lighting:  Taking the photograph when the sun was clouded over reduced the tonal range in the picture (compare this with the selective lighting post in this blog)selective lighting post

• Rhythm: The repeating shapes of the trees create a sense of rhythm that is calm and reassuring.  The reason is that we know what to expect next.

• Mystery: Look at the way the trees recede into the distance, it gets lighter and not darker, I wonder why…     Where is the vanishing point in this picture?… The eye is led out of the right of the photograph, there is no apparent end to the trees….