According to the New York Film Academy, balance is usually defined as having congruency between varying texture, tone, and shape.  All, of which, belong to a composition, and possess a heaviness and lightness that affects the photo balance. 

There are 5 types of balance:

1.) Symmetrical 

2.) Asymmetrical

3.) Tonal

4.) Colour

5.) Conceptual

Symmetrical Balance:

This type of balance is created when both parts of a photo exhibit "equal weight."

Asymmetrical Balance:

Also know as informal balance, asymmetrical balance is created through the adjustment of a subject's size, form, and tone within the composition. In other words, one subject (usually found in the foreground) is balanced out by another trivial subject (usually in the background). 

Tonal Balance:

This type of balance is created when an image has white, grey, and/or black colours; they are contrasted. 

Colour Balance:

This type of balance is created when an image exhibits a brighter colour – this is accentuated. 

Conceptual Balance:

This type of balance is, according to the NYFA, should be undertaken when one perfected the others types. A conceptually balanced photo must be asymmetrically or symmetrically balanced.

The photographic principle, contrast, is defined as the "scale of difference" between the colours white and black within a photo. There are 3 types of contrast:

1.) Tonal

This type of contrast is created when dark and light tones are positioned alongside each other. An example of this is a flower on a dark background. 

2.) Colour

Colour contrast is created when a cold and warm colour are coupled together. An example of colour contrast is blue and yellow. 

3.) Conceptual

Conceptual contrast is created when something is "colour-accentuated" in a uniformly-coloured surrounding. An example of this is a yellow-coloured chair sandwiched in hundreds of green-coloured chair.

Emphasis, in photography, is defined as an object or area found within the artwork that attracts attention. Becoming a focal point (a compositional area that the artist "emphasises"). 

There are 6 strategies to emphasise the focal point: through colour, value; texture, shallow depth of field, framing; or perspective.  

1.) Colour Emphasis: 

Colour emphasis is produced when a photo's background colours are "limited." This process illuminates the subject's colour. Complementary colours can be utilised as well. (e.g. A red umbrella in a green background.) 

2.) Value Emphasis: 

Value emphasis is produced when the focal point possesses a high contrast value. This means very light areas are emplaced with very dark areas. For example, a singular dark-coloured sheep in a herd of white-coloured sheep.  

Additionally, value emphasis can be produced with a dominant light illuminating the subject, and a dark background. (e.g. A bouquet of roses in a dark background.) 

3.) Texture Emphasis: 

Texture emphasis is produced when a contrast is displayed between dissimilar textures. For example, a rock or curled book pages exhibiting more texture than the soft/smooth/reflective background. 

4.) Shallow Depth of Field (a.k.a. Selective Focus) Emphasis: 

Shallow Depth of Field, or Selective Focus is an ideal way to communicate emphasis. This kind of emphasis accents the focal point only; the rest of the image is blurred out. In other words, the focal point has a sharp focus.  

For example, a woman brandishing a cupcake. The woman is blurred out, with the cupcake in vivid focus. An absence of blurriness would steal the attention of the viewer from the cupcake.  

5.) Framing Emphasis: 

Framing emphasis is produced when the image subject is "framed" with another object. For example, two mounted horses within the hole of a wooden fence; the hole is close to the camera. This accentuates the mounted horses.  

6.) Perspective Emphasis: 

Perspective emphasis is produced when the subject is proximate to the camera; this effects a dramatic perspective, which creates emphasis. If an image features a repeated element (e.g. pink flowers), the large-sized and camera-proximate elements will receive more emphasis.  

Repetition is the process of repeating a particular size, colour, and shape. This confers meaning and strength to the image. 

According to Light Stalking, there are 7 techniques to utilise repetition: Through shapes, abstract; organic patterns, opposite patterns; portraiture rhythm, and broken rhythm. 

Shapes

Repetition could be used in conjunction with shapes. You could include identical or analogous shapes, include "contrasting shapes," fill the photo frame with various amounts of shape, or include a copious amount of negative space surrounding the shapes. 

Colours

Repetition, coupled with colours, could be created by including identical colours within a photo frame. You could align distinct colours. 

Abstract

According to Light Stalking, macrophotography is useful for capturing abstract with repetition. 

Organic Patterns

Flowers, stone, particular vegetables, tree branches, etc. These could be used as organic patterns. 

Opposite Patterns

Opposite patterns and repetition could be created by compounding particular shapes or colours. Moreover, you could resort to nature: oceans and coastlines or artificial structures and forests. 

Portraiture Rhythm

Rhythm and patterns should be in mind when capturing portraits with repetition. E.g., A line of people; when their positions are examined, they form a triangle, rectangle or circle. 

Broken Rhythm

Broken rhythm with repetition could be created by including elements that or of distinct shape, size, texture, or colour.

There are 3 types of movement:

1.) Suspended

2.) Motion Blur

3.) Visual Flow

Suspended Movement

This type of movement is the process of capturing something or someone in a split second.

Motion Blur

This type of movement could be created when capturing something or someone at "very slow shutter speeds." 

Visual Flow

This type of movement is created through flow and lines. Flow is "continuous, dynamic, and unforced." The lines are either curved or undulating.

Rhythm is defined as the method in which one's sight views an image. For instance, if an image features one element in view … the rhythm will be placid. However, if there is more than one element in view, (like music) the image's rhythm accelerates. 

There are 4 types of rhythm:.

Repetition

Alternation

Progression

Undulation

1.) Repetition 

This type of rhythm is produced when identical or analogous elements are reoccurring at regular intervals. For example, equally-spaced light posts emplaced across the frame.

2.) Alternation

This type of rhythm is produced when an image depicts "AB elements." For example, black and white-coloured squares on a kitchen floor, or a two-coloured tie. Alternation could also be produced when identical or analogous elements are reoccurring across spaces that are long-short-long. This technique can be used to elicit a strong graphic aesthetic. 

3.) Progression

This type of rhythm is understood as a group of elements that could predictably and slightly alter with each "iteration." An example of this are water ripples – the circles enlarge as the photo extends outwardly. 

4.) Undulation

This type of rhythm involves a continuous and smooth element-progression. These either move left to right, or rise and fall. Each undulation does not have to be equal in intensity or size to the subsequent or previous, nor "predictably progressive." An example of undulation are 'rippling' clouds.

Scale is the process of underscoring the size of the subject(s) and contrasting it to other objects. This principle of photography affects one's view on a concept or object. 

For example, a bag of potato chips captured from a distance; two individuals are positioned on its sides. The distance of the camera renders them insignificant.

Proportion on the other hand, is an illusion that someone or something is distinct in size, but makes the image seem to 'fit together.'

The photographic principle, variety, is the process of varying objects and elements in a photo. This is to remove blandness. It could also mean varying exposure, angles, composition, etc. An example of variety are different shells.

This type of photographic principle, pattern, is created through repeated elements. This could be lines, tones, shapes, or colour.

There are 3 types of pattern:

1.) "Breaking the Pattern"

Example: A single M&M sandwiched in coffee beans

2.) Regular Pattern

Example: Different-coloured seashells

3.) Irregular Pattern

Example: Bottles of wine

The photographic principle, volume, is the process of accentuating the 'thickness' of something. This could be achieved through the manipulation of light, and its direction.

The photographic principle, unity, is defined as the repetition of particular photo elements to render it  pleasing to the eye. Unity, to put it simply, compounds every element to create a strong, cohesive image that appear to fit together.

Harmony, in photography, involves utilising analogous elements from an image. This action automatically combines the elements, rendering the image visually pleasing. Harmony is, in other words, simplicity.  

For example, a creek depicting yellow and orange leaves. Dispersed throughout the area within the camera frame; the creek also depicts a white-coloured stream. These image elements effect harmony.  

There are 7 types of line in photography:

1.) Vertical 

This type of line represents strength, growth, and confidence when used in photos. An example of this is a person leaning against a vertical wall (not bending).

2.) Horizontal

This type of line represents stability. An example of this is a person laying on the floor. 

3.) Diagonal

This type of line represents energy and tension. An example of this is a person leaning against a wall, arms crossed. 

4.) Leading

Leading lines lead the viewer to something or someone (the focal point). An example of is a person walking along pillars. 

5.) Implied

This type of line could be created through a row of trees, a group of people in line, or buildings along a road. 

6.) Converging

Converging lines are two or more diagonal lines. An example of this are a parallel line of trees. 

7.) Curved

Curved lines renders the image less hurried and more restful. The "S-curve" is a popular type of curve; it is shaped like an "S."

There are 2 types of shape:

1.) Geometric

Geometric shapes are usually artificial. Geometric shapes is subdivided into hard and soft geometry. 

a. An example of hard geometry is a building

b. An example of soft geometry is a "trimmed hedge."

2.) Organic 

Organic shapes are irregular or curved shapes (appearing in nature). An example of this are backlit leaves seen through a "rectangular window of light," in the middle of two branches.

The photographic element, form, is created when shape and light collide. This process accrues depth: The element renders the image 'palpable'; this is due to the fact that the viewer feels they could touch the object (or person). 

Form, coupled with shape, makes the photo three-dimensional. A photo devoid of form makes it "flat."

The photographic element, space, provides depth to an image. An image devoid of depth, beginning from the background to foreground, appear flat, less interesting and realistic.  

Landscape photography is a great way to provide depth to an image.  

The photographic element, colour, is encompasses tints & shades, intensity, and complementary colours. These are subsumed to the element and could elicit a particular reaction from the viewer:

1.) Complementary Colours

Complementary colours are colours opposite from one another. Once juxtaposed, they illuminate each other, and create contrast. 

2.) Colour Intensity

Colour intensity includes saturation or luminance. They guide the viewer's eye to the intended object. 

3.) Tints & Shades

Tint is a lighter version of colours. Conversely, shade is darker. Employing shade and tint causes the photo to show less colours. This accrues simplicity. 

The photographic element, tone, is defined as the "various amounts of light and dark in a photo." The colours white and black are wholly dependent on tone; any image could exhibit tone. Though it should included 'creatively.'

The photographic element, texture, is defined as the visual quality of an object. This is demonstrated through shape, tone, and colour depth variances.  

Texture affords vibrancy to images that may be bland.  

There are 3 things that could be used for typography:

1.) Graffiti

An example of this is the statement "Always take the scenic route… Always." graffitied on a door.

2.) Funny messages

An example of this is the advertisement "Sponge Bob's Hand Car Wash" placed next to a streetlight. 

3.) Everyday objects

An example of this are Scrabble tiles incorporated into the word "sesquipedalian."