Exploring Gestalt Perception In Photography: A Creative Way To See The World
Have you ever looked at a photograph and been surprised by the way it made you feel? Or, have you ever noticed how a photo can evoke an emotion (or even tell a story) without any words? It’s likely that Gestalt Perception is at work. Gestalt Perception is a psychological phenomenon which describes how we automatically take in, interpret, and respond to visual information. It explains why certain images ‘speak’ to us – and why they can be so powerful.
Gestalt psychology attempts to uncover how our minds make sense of a disorderly world, and details how we acquire and interpret meaningful information. Psychologists have produced a host of laws and principles that explain the way in which brains operate. Since gestalt perception is concerned with organisation, it fits well with composition as their aims are comparable. Creatives can take advantage of these ideas when producing art and design for greater impact, but photographers can also benefit from certain aspects.
In this blog post, we will explore the basics of Gestalt Perception in photography, as well as how it can help photographers create more meaningful images.
What is Gestalt perception?
Gestalt perception is a psychological concept that refers to our ability to make sense of the world around us by grouping together individual elements into meaningful wholes. In other words, it’s the way we see things as patterns or shapes, rather than just a bunch of disconnected parts.
Gestalt perception helps us make sense of the seemingly chaotic world around us by organizing everything into manageable groupings. For example, when you look at this image:
Gestalt Perception In Photography – Photo by Abbilyn Rurenko on Unsplash
You probably don’t see a bunch of random shapes and colors. Instead, your brain automatically groups together the various elements to form a cohesive whole – in this case, a house. This is an example of Gestalt perception in action.
Humans are hardwired for Gestalt perception because it helps us make quick decisions and navigate our environment efficiently. For photographers, understanding Gestalt principles can help create more visually appealing and impactful images.
The different types of Gestalt principles
There are a few different types of Gestalt principles that can be applied to photography in order to create more visually appealing and striking images. The first principle is called similarity, which means that elements within an image that share similar characteristics will tend to be perceived as a group. This can be achieved by using similar colors, shapes, or textures within an image. The second principle is called continuation, which means that the human brain will tend to perceive elements in an image as continuing along a path. This can be used to create leading lines or patterns within an image that guide the viewer’s eye through the scene. The third principle is called closure, which means that the human brain will often fill in gaps in order to complete incomplete shapes. This can be used to create more interesting compositions with shapes that are not immediately obvious. Finally, the fourth principle is called figure/ground, which means that the human brain will tend to see elements in an image as either being part of the foreground or background. This can be used to create depth and interest within an image by playing with how these two planes are separated.
How can Gestalt perception be applied to photography?
Gestalt perception is the ability to see objects as patterns and to understand the relationships between them. It is a way of seeing the world that is based on the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Gestalt perception can be applied to photography in several ways. First, it can help you to see the overall composition of a scene and to find ways to make your photos more visually appealing. Second, it can help you to see how different elements in a scene relate to each other and to choose compositions that emphasize those relationships. Finally, Gestalt perception can also help you to understand the psychological effects of different compositional elements in a photo and how they can impact viewers.
Examples of Gestalt perception in photography
There are many ways in which photographers can harness the power of Gestalt principles to create strong and compelling images. Here are just a few examples:
1. The law of similarity states that objects which share similar characteristics will be perceived as belonging together. This can be used to create visual unity in a photograph, for example by grouping together elements with similar colors or shapes.
2. The law of proximity dictates that objects which are close together will be perceived as belonging together. This can be used to draw the viewer’s attention to a particular part of the image, or to create a sense of depth and perspective.
3. The law of closure says that we tend to perceive incomplete figures as complete wholes. This principle can be used to create visually striking images, for example by cropping tightly around a subject’s head or by using negative space to imply missing parts of an object.
4. The law of figure-ground states that our brain perceives objects against a background; one cannot exist without the other. This principle can be used to create images with strong focal points, for example by placing a subject against a contrasting background or by using shallow depth of field to blur the background and make the subject stand out.
5. The law of symmetry and order says that we tend to perceive symmetrical and ordered patterns as more aesthetically pleasing than non-symmetrical or random ones. This principle can be used deliberately in photography composition, for instance by positioning.
LAW OF SIMILARITY
The law of similarity is the perceptual principle that elements with similar properties will tend to be grouped together. In photography, this can be used to create visual interest and contrast by deliberately including or excluding elements that share similarities.
For example, a photographer might choose to frame a shot so that the subject is surrounded by similar objects, such as other people, buildings, or nature elements. By doing so, the viewer’s attention is immediately drawn to the subject, making it stand out in relief against its surroundings. Alternatively, a photographer might choose to include several dissimilar objects in the frame to create a sense of visual tension and interest.
In either case, the law of similarity can be used to create compositions that are more visually appealing and engaging. So next time you’re framing up a shot, take a moment to consider how you can use similarity (or lack thereof) to your advantage!
LAW OF PROXIMITY
Gestalt Perception In Photography – Law of Proximity -Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash
The law of proximity states that objects that are close to each other are perceived as being part of the same group. This is why we tend to group items together that are close to each other, even if they’re not actually related.
In photography, this law can be used to create a sense of depth or distance. For example, if you have two subjects in the foreground and background, you can use the law of proximity to make them appear closer or further away from each other. Simply placing the subjects closer together will make them appear closer in the image, while placing them further apart will make them appear further away.
You can also use the law of proximity to create a sense of balance in your images. If you have two similar objects on either side of the frame, they will appear to be evenly balanced. However, if one object is much closer to the camera than the other, it will appear larger and heavier, and will therefore seem to be unbalanced.
LAW OF CLOSURE
The law of closure is the principle that we tend to see objects as being complete, even when they are not. This is why we often see faces in clouds, for example. The law of closure helps us to make sense of the world by filling in the gaps in our perception.
In photography, the law of closure can be used to create interesting compositions. For example, you can use partial shapes to suggest a whole object. This can make your photos more visually interesting and engaging.
The law of closure is just one of many gestalt principles that you can use in your photography. Experiment with different techniques to see what works best for you and your style.
LAW OF SYMMETRY
Gestalt Perception In Photography – Law of Symmetry – Photo by Michael Martinelli on Unsplash
The law of symmetry is one of the most important laws of gestalt perception. It states that we tend to see objects as symmetrical. This means that if we see an object that is not symmetrical, we will tend to perceive it as being symmetrical. For example, if we see a square that is not symmetrical, we will perceive it as being a square.
This law is extremely important in photography. If a photographer takes a picture of a subject that is not symmetrical, the viewer will tend to see the subject as being symmetrical. This can be used to create an illusion of perfection or balance in a photograph.
LAW OF COMMON FATE
According to the law of common fate, objects that move in the same direction are perceived as a group. This gestalt principle is often used by photographers to create a sense of cohesion and unity in their images. By carefully placing elements within the frame and ensuring that they’re all moving in the same direction, the photographer can create a harmonious and visually appealing composition.
Gestalt Perception In Photography – Law of Common Fate – Photo by Geran de Klerk on Unsplash
LAW OF CONTINUITY
The law of continuity is one of the most important laws of gestalt perception. It states that our brains are wired to see patterns and relations between objects, and to fill in missing information. This is why we can see a complete shape even when only part of it is visible.
The law of continuity also explains why we tend to see objects as moving in straight lines, even when they are not. Our brains automatically connect the dots and interpret the movement as being continuous. This is why we often see a person or object as moving in a straight line even when they are actually moving in a curved path.
The law of continuity is also responsible for many optical illusions, such as the illusion of motion in a stationary object (such as a spinning wheel), or the illusion of two objects being connected when they are not ( such as the famous Müller-Lyer illusion).
LAW OF PAST EXPERIENCE
The law of past experience states that we tend to see what we expect to see. This is why it’s so important to view your photographs with fresh eyes, without any preconceptions or expectations.
When we look at a photograph, our brain automatically tries to make sense of what it’s seeing. It does this by looking for patterns and shapes that it recognizes, based on our past experiences.
This can lead to us seeing things that aren’t actually there, or failing to see things that are. For example, if you’re looking at a photo of a forest and you’re expecting to see trees, then you’re likely to see trees even if there aren’t any there.
Conversely, if you’re not expecting to see anything in particular, then you’re less likely to spot anything at all. This is why it’s often said that the best way to improve your photography is simply to take more photographs. By doing so, you’ll gradually train your brain to spot potential photographic subjects more easily.
Conclusion
Gestalt perception is a powerful tool for photographers to use in their work. By understanding and applying the principles of gestalt, you can create visuals that are more visually pleasing, engaging and impactful. Experimenting with various visual elements such as figure-ground relationships, similarity and proximity can enhance your photos’ overall composition. Through careful consideration of these concepts, you can create stunning photographs that are not only beautiful but also meaningful and effective.
Check out – Photographer vs Fine Arts Photographer: Putting the Differences Into Perspective.
