This photograph represents asymmetrical balance. Although the person's feet are a bit off-centered, the buildings on both sides of the picture create a type of balance. By making this appear asymmetrical, it adds to the tension of what's going on through the individual's mind. Why are they up there? How high up is this walk across these buildings? In a sense, these questions play off our psychological responses. While it creates a sense of excitement, it also gives me goosebumps. I want to know why this person is risking their life to do this with ease.
Some contrasting elements that immediately draw my eye in are the shoes against the sky. With a pale blue sky, you can clearly see the outline of the individual's legs and physical movement as they attempt to take their next step. Aside from the obvious color differences, this activity alone presents a contrasting behavior against most people. Although I have no fear of heights, there is no way I would willingly walk across this rope.
Despite the simplicity of this photograph, the different building sizes show varying shades of gray, which go along with the sky. The outlines of the buildings are clearly identifiable yet they almost blend in with the background of the image. The backdrop remains harmonious while the tight rope adds the contrasting elements to not make the image seem boring. Gestalt's Law of Closure groups these buildings together as one. You cannot clearly see where these buildings separate at the bottom, which leads the eye to observe them as a spread out group.
The tight rope's defined texture also alludes to a direction beyond what the viewer is able to see. The rope's location clearly gives us an idea of how rigid and strong it is because it is able to hold a person up effortlessly. We don't know how far away this person plans to walk, which creates an uneasy feeling. I feel uneasy looking at this because I have so many questions that I know will never be answered.
