Anchoring Photos to Your Layout (and I don't mean glue!)
Have you ever looked at your layout and thought the images look like they're floating rather than being part of a cohesive design? You need to learn about ‘Grounding’
Grounding is a technique that helps ‘anchor’ your photos on the layout, ensuring they feel connected to the rest of the page.
Let’s have a look at how you can apply grounding techniques in your layouts:
Grounding with Mats and Borders
In Ali’s layout, you’ll notice how she uses simple mats and borders to frame her photos. This is one of the most effective ways to ground your images, providing a solid foundation for each one. Mats and borders not only draw attention to the photos but also anchor them, making them feel like part of the overall composition rather than floating on the page.
Coordinated Colours: Ali’s choice of dark and neutral coloured mats provides both stability and visual separation, ensuring that each vibrant photo of the painted horses remains the focal point. The photos are framed with dark blue and white mats that contrast beautifully against the textured background. This helps the photos stand out without overpowering the design.
Layering Elements for Depth
Another grounding technique is the use of layered elements beneath the photos. Small shapes like squares and tags in coordinating colours are scattered behind and alongside the images on Ali’s page.
Notice the small die cut rectangles and slides. These subtle details create layers that give each photo a sense of belonging to the page.
Layering for Balance: The even distribution of these layered elements around the photos helps balance the layout, creating visual interest and ensuring the photos don't overwhelm the page.
Creating Visual Weight with Clusters
Ali’s layout also makes great use of clusters to create a focal point. Clustering small embellishments around your photos gives them weight, preventing them from appearing disconnected from the rest of the design.
Simple and Balanced Clusters: Instead of overwhelming the page with excessive embellishments, Ali uses small, geometric accents strategically around the layout. This ensures that the focus stays on the photos while still giving them a grounded presence.
By placing clusters in key areas, Ali adds visual interest without detracting from the star elements; the photos themselves.
Grounding with Texture and backgrounds
Ali’s use of printed backgrounds also helps ground her photos. The background has a distressed texture, which provides depth and a natural setting for the photos to sit on. The organic feel of the page echoes the colourful and artistic nature of the horse statues in the photos.
Grounding Through Symmetry
Notice how Ali’s layout is carefully balanced, with an even distribution of photos across both pages. This structured placement gives the entire design a sense of balance and harmony.
Balanced Photo Placement: The photos are spread across both pages, ensuring that each has its own space while maintaining a cohesive flow.