Creating Conflict in Photography

“Conflict” in a photo – tension, contrast or a clash of elements – is what makes an image intriguing rather than flat. The key is using contrast in light, colour, scale or subject to create visual interest. Here’s how to create conflict in your photography.

At the base of a good photograph, a little war occurs – a contrast of duel elements that catch our attention. This may be seen in different ways. Creating conflict in photography is an important skill to improve for your photos to become more than a snapshot.

What is Conflict in Photography?

Keeping it short, conflict is the clash of two (or more, but in photography it’s best to keep it simple) elements that oppose the values of it’s opposite. You will see conflicts everywhere in life, and with this guide you’ll see it on a more basic level.

Contrast, as some photographers refer to it as, sets a story for a photograph that causes tension and dynamics. In the same way as a good movie or book has a good guy and villain, interesting photographs require a small war within the frame of the camera.

The best type of conflict is a naturally occurring one, but it’s fine to stage it too if you’re learning. It causes your audience to pick a side if the conflict is clearly described. Good contrast can stop someone in their tracks and makes the engage more readily.

Let’s have a look at 3 different ways that you can bring this type of tension into a photo.

How to Use Colour Conflict

First off you need your colour wheel as this is the answer to the title of this section. All primary, secondary and tertiary colours have an opposite which is called a complementary colour. Here are a few:

• Red – Green
• Orange – Blue
• Yellow – Purple

If you are creating photos with bold colours then look at using the complementary ones. Imagine if you’re photographing a red rose, looking for green tones to surround it (this is really easy in nature).

Knowing your complementary colours will help you choose the right tones for portrait photographs. Say you have a blue bedsheet you want to use as your background, then what colour should your subject wear? That’s right – Orange!

It’s possible to slightly deviate off this rule (only a little though) and make those complementing tones a little brighter or darker. So instead of wearing orange, your subject could be in yellow – the colour next to orange. It’s a close neighbour.

2 Ways to Show Conflict in Shapes

There are two ways to look at adding conflict in photography through shapes – either in form or size. Let’s break it down again.

1. Form

Shapes can either be hard-edged (squares, triangles, rectangles etc) or soft edged (circles, ovals). Posing two objects with clear, opposing shapes, next to each other is another great example of conflict.

2. Size

Think big against little, wide against narrow, long against short – all these contrasts in size are interesting to photograph and easily found, now you know what to look for.

Using Texture Conflict

By now you’ll have an understanding where we’re going with this, but still let’s have a closer look. If you’ve not stepped into a haberdashery in a while you may not know of the range of materials and textures that you can use for contrasting elements.

Look for hard and soft textures, soft satins and dense woollens work really well against each other.

But take this same thinking outdoors and look where calm puddles of water sit on hard rocks, or snow have fallen on rough branches.

Conflict Photography: Summary

It’s such a simple thought process when shooting but it makes a big difference in your final photos. You may already have that creative eye engaged and you look at objects in terms of colour, shape or texture which is fantastic.

But if not, hopefully this guide has helped you see the basic elements needed to take your photography from snapshots to artwork.

For more, read our guide to what makes a good photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does conflict mean in photography?

Visual tension or contrast, between light and dark, large and small, old and new, calm and chaos, that creates interest and intrigue. A little conflict gives an image energy and a story.

How do I create visual tension in a photo?

Use contrast, in tone, colour, scale, texture or subject matter, and juxtapose opposing elements. A lone figure in a vast space, or a splash of colour in a muted scene, creates tension that holds the eye.

Why does conflict make a photo more interesting?

Because contrast and tension give the eye something to resolve, making an image more engaging than a flat, harmonious one. It adds drama, story and emotional pull.

What are examples of conflict in an image?

Light against dark, a small subject against a huge background, smooth against rough texture, a single warm colour in a cool scene, or order against chaos. Opposing elements create the tension.

How do I use contrast for impact?

Place opposing elements together, bright and dark, big and small, busy and empty, and compose so the contrast is clear. Strong contrast in light, colour or scale gives an image immediate impact.