The Wizardry of Odds

The visual preference for odd number of stimuli in a photograph was convincingly presented by the photographer Ted Forbes in his didactic video.

When transferred to another visual medium such as collage, the creative process is quite different than photography of existing subject.

In the feature image, reprised below, I show my first attempt at creating a three parts collage, to be followed with similar ones varying in geometric pattern and colour combination, but all based on Forbes’ “Rule of odds.”

pattern showing the visual dynamic of three visual elements
Basic try keyed on the red triangle

 

First try using similar vertical shapes of differing colours on black background

Emphasis on colour difference and shape similarity
Emphasis on colour difference and shape similarity

 

First attempt at embedding one element in another

Illustrating the embedding of one element in another larger one
Bringing the background as a shadow separating element

 

First attempt a shape differentiation on narrowing in black background

exploration of shape, size and colour difference
Exploring colour and shape variety on tighter black background

 

Exploring the drawing power of centrality

Illustrating the drawing power of centrality
Playing on size, shape and positioning of elements around the center

 

Testing the “rule of odds” by introducing a shadow background as fourth element

testing the theory of odds with a counterpoint fourth one
Playing on the visual back and forth between three distinct elements and shadow fourth one

 

End image

Here is a reprise of first try with an attempt to bring in the background as a shadow version of the central element

Playing with bringing background as shadow inversion of an element
Playing with bringing background as shadow inversion of an element

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