Focals - Size doesn't always matter

Focals, whether on a scrapbook page or a card, are usually defined by size - they are usually the largest element on the page (if not the largest picture, then at least zoomed in so the subject is the largest on the page).  However, there are exceptions. 

If you look at this page, the eye is clearly pulled first to the pink fish.  While the picture is clearly smaller than the picture it sits on top of, and while even the fish itself is smaller than the one in the middle on the bottom row of pictures, there is no question that they eye is pulled to the pink fish.  Why?  Color.  Never underestimate the power of color in your layouts.  Even the little blue fish in the bottom right color pulls the eye more than the larger fish to its left - because of the deeper color. 

Though the eye would probably gravitate to the pink fish no matter what was done on this page, there are a couple of other things that were done to help ensure its focal quality.  First, it was placed on top of the larger photo.  This helps the larger photo recede to the background.  Second, it was placed off by itself and at an angle.  All of these things support the focal point in this layout.