Felbalans

Felbalans is a Dutch term that roughly translates to “strong balance” or “high-contrast balance.” It is used in discussions of visual composition, photography, and media to describe an emphasis on pronounced contrasts between elements such as light and dark, color saturation, or geometric or typographic weights. It is not a formal technical standard, but a descriptive label that appears in journalism, design commentary, and art discussions.

The word combines fel, meaning intense or sharp, with balans, meaning balance. In practice, felbalans refers to a state where certain elements in an image or layout dominate others, creating a dynamic or dramatic overall effect rather than a neutral equilibrium.

In use, felbalans implies a deliberate skew toward strong contrasts to achieve impact or mood. This can involve bright highlights against deep shadows, bold color contrasts, or asymmetric weighting of visual elements. While it can enhance expressiveness, it may also reduce readability or comfort if overapplied, and critics may consider it excessive if the balance distracts from the intended message.

Related concepts include high contrast, color saturation, contrast ratio, and composition balance. The term is mostly employed in Dutch-language discourse, with interpretation varying by context and commentator.