The Focal Point is a specific part or area of a work that gains visual prominance. The focal point is usually used as an attempt to attract the viewer's attention, to create an area that the viewer's eye returns to again and again. Focal points can be created many ways but most commonly the focal point is created through contrasting the focal point with the other visual elements using changes in direction, size, shape, hue, brightness, or texture.

Alternate Terms: Primary figure, Emphasis, Area of event

Emphasis on the face created through areas of higher brightness.
Rembrandt. Self-Portrait. 1665.

Emphasis on the building and subsequently the archway through brightness (dark area) and shape (curvilinear arch in a geometric building).
Christian Ferrer. Wikimedia Commons. CC-BY-SA-3.0

The focal point of the red arrows (due to contrasting color and geometric shape) creates visual conflict with the intended focal point of the mountain.