BALANCE.
A number of lines should not be allowed to run in one direction, unless balanced by others going in a contrary direction. A good example of this may be given for the sake of illustration in the seated figure of Britannia on the copper coinage. By referring to the outline sketch (Fig. GB), it will be seen that the lines of the figure alone, from A to B, would distinctly con vey a feeling of one-sidedness if not balanced by the opposing line of the trident, and the lines of the shield and right arm. Objects may balance each other as well as lines. In Fig. 619 it will be seen that the gentleman seated in the armchair forms a badly-balanced picture, which fault, however, could easily be re medied by the introduction of a footstool behind the figure ; in which case, not only the lines of the latter, but the object itself, taken without reference to its lines, would serve to complete the composition. Masses of light or shade must also be of " spottiness," by which is meant the presence of a number of distracting lights or petty details which destroy the unity and repose of the picture. A careful
study of "chiaroscuro," or light and shade, is highly essential to the portrait photographer, not only because the camera is at present practically limited to obtaining its effects in monochrome, and so owes the chief beauty of its results to skilfully managed contrast of light and shade, but because the whole expression and artistic success of a portrait depend perhaps more on the lighting than on any other factor. The pose of the sitter properly balanced or opposed. As the light attracts more attention than the shadow, it follows that a small brightly lit patch will balance a large dark one. It is important, however, that the attempt to secure perfect balance in the lines of the picture should not be evident or con spicuous, nor should the arrangement by any means be exactly symmetrical and even, so that two opposite sides of the picture closely resemble each other as re gards their lines, or light and shade.