This photo can capture your presentation audience because it plays with expectations and the sense of what should be.
Susan says, “This giant, unwieldy tree looms over the compact, tidy little house. And while the house is tiny and well-behaved, the tree seems to have taken an overdose of growth hormones and can barely keep up with its wild growth spurt. Branches are shooting out uncontrolled in all directions and the top is heading upward so fast it can’t support itself. Naturally, when designing a presentation slide, it is important to consider balance and scale. But breaking the rules can yield some interesting results. Because this photo is so badly out of balance and its scale is so odd, it demands more attention and keeps us looking longer. Every image you include your presentation should work to increase your audiences’ attention and prolong their engagement with what you have to tell them.”
Breaking the Rules for a Reason
Lucia says, “I was focused on the way the light fell on the tiny house. Everything else in this photo nurtures that one aspect. I remember having trouble deciding how to crop the photo. Should I crop the large tree out or leave it in? It seemed out of proportion to the rest of the scene. In the end I realized the tree and the array of colors in the foreground created a lovely frame around the tiny house. In addition, cropping too close would have eliminated some of the cloud filled sky, which created a luscious background. Yes, Susan is right this photo breaks the rules of balance, but everything in it enhances the light on the tiny house.”
