Focal Point

• Contrast

zemotion on Deviant Art

When guiding a viewers eye to the focal point while using the method of contrast, the creator uses a bright color that stands out against the dull background. In this case, the model is wearing a bright red dress that stands out from around the dull gray hues around the the focal point. Because of this contrast the viewers eye is drawn to the dress and the model wearing it. 

• Isolation

zemotion on Deviant Art

The pattern in this image is crazy but the eye is quickly drawn to model in the top right corner of the piece because she stands out from the pattern. When the eye is drawn to a focal point using this method it is called isolation, the creator draws attention to a point by making it different from the rest of the piece. 

• Placement

photographic.com

The wind mil in the center of the photograph is sure to catch attention from the viewer but it is the leading lines in the red fields below it that keeps directing the viewers eye back to it. Placement focal point is when the elements of a piece all point or redirect the eye to one point of interest. 

• One element

zemotion on Deviant Art

The dead leaves are contrasted by a bright single person in white. The eye is drawn to her because of a different texture, color, and placement. This one element stands out against the rest, something bright and alive as opposed to the forest of fallen dead leaves. 

• Absence of focal point

flickr

Sometimes an artist may choose to emphasis the entire piece as a whole, therefore having no particular focal point. The image above is a continual pattern, the eye is not drawn to any one point in the image, it is free to roam as it pleases.