Proximity as a Design Principle in Photography

Proximity is basic design principle is graphic design. The distance between two items tells us something about the relationship between them. Items that are grouped closely together implies a close relationship between the two. When several items are in close proximity, they become one visual unit rather than several separate units. In graphic design, this helps to organize information, reduces clutter and gives the reader a clear structure.

A photographer can use the proximity principle to help organization and structure the visual story, she is trying to tell. Items that are grouped closely together are seen as being a cohesive group as opposed to a lot of unrelated bits. Subjects that are to be seen as not related should not be in close proximity to one another. The physical distance between the two elements give an instant visual clue to the story about the subjects. Physical closeness implies a relationship.

In the first two photographs below, there are two pieces of candy. In the first, the physical distance between the two is significant. That distance tells us that the pieces of candy are not to be considered in the same group. The distance signifies that something separates them; the distance is symbolic of differences. There is a tension between the two elements. Our eye is unsure of where to rest. Are we to look at the red piece or the green piece? Unsure, we alternate our focus. There is disunity in the photo. It lacks harmony. We know something is amiss.

In the second photo the two pieces are beside one another. They no longer are seen as two different elements. They have become a single visual element. There is no longer the tension or the disunity as in the first photography. We know where to look. Our eye is drawn to the two candies. If we scan the rest of the photograph, our eye is drawn back to the two candies. They have become the focal point of the photo.

In the third photo, I have used both dimensions of proximity. The cluster of candies are seen as a single unit. Their proximity tells us that they should be considered a cohesive group. Our eye tends to rest on the entire group and not focus on the individual pieces. The singe red piece stands apart. The distance between this group and the red piece tells us it does not belong to the group. There is tension between the single candy and the group. Our eye goes back and forth between the elements, the single piece and the cluster. There is a story in the distance between them.

As photographers, it is our job to use visual cues to tell a story. We need to be conscious of how the eye scans a scene. Where do you start looking; what path do you follow; and where do you end up? Proximity is one of the ways we can tell the how two subjects are related. We can create a relationship between two elements by placing them close together. If we want to communicate that elements are not related we should move them apart from one another.