Out of the Picture, as a design

[Fabs Forns]

Sometimes I look at the elements of an image in a different way, not as subjects, but as as shapes and colors forming a balanced design. I framed this in camera, from the Hooptie Deux (and of course had to take a few, because I was hand holding tremendous magnification on a rocking boat) This one came out exactly as I had envisioned. The two branches divide the canvas in roughly the rule of thirds. The bill looking towards the ULC is balanced by the clump of vegetation in the LRC. The bird looking into the picture here would create an unbalanced composition, putting too much weight on the center of the canvas. It is a daring compo, but hey, who want to be average?

Do you see what I see? And if you don't, what do you see? What would you change here and why?

We are planning a series of compositional exercises from my graphic design times, they will be posted in the Out of the Box Forum and will be announced when ready.
I want beginners to gain total control of the space in their canvas, positive and negative, and how to balance the elements and/or arrange them in a way that they would evoke a feeling. Be on the look out!!!

In the mean time, do you think this works????


Model: NIKON D300
Lens (mm): 850 500/4 VR plus 1.7X, hand held from boat
ISO: 640
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/2000

[David Roach]

Totally works for me and I Loved the explanation (tutorial for me!).

[Bill McCrystyn]

Fabs, what a gourgeous shot. The leg dropped down matching the lines in the sticks, that just a plus. Now that's what I'm talking about. Birds are Art! If I were to change it I would add a little more room to the top while taking it off the bottom.

Hey - notice ya got a nice camera there cousin. :)

[Jay Gould]

We are planning a series of compositional exercises from my graphic design times, they will be posted in the Out of the Box Forum and will be announced when ready.
I want beginners to gain total control of the space in their canvas, positive and negative, and how to balance the elements and/or arrange them in a way that they would evoke a feeling. Be on the look out!!!

In the mean time, do you think this works????

Hi Fabs,

It more than works! Having the bird on the branch that is closest to the edge which the bird is looking at is much better than, for example, having the bird looking over the lower branch. I also like that there is no foliage in front of the bird and just enough behind the bird. Causes the viewer to surmise what might the bird be looking at instead of making assumptions if there were objects on the left frame. I like it!

Looking forward to your compositional exercises!

BPN is probably the one Forum I will try to keep in touch with as we travel around South America and elsewhere.

BPN is definitely addictive!! :D

[Steve Canuel]

In addition to the thought process you describe about the branches and bill, I see the "circle" of the bird's body up high balanced with the "circle" of the leafy clumb on the opposite branch down low. Always like to hear people's thought processes on their images. Look forward to the series.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Love it as is!
And thank you so much for this tutorial, I sure will be waiting for your work at Eager to Learn. jc

[Jackie Schuknecht]

To me it works very well. There are a lot of diagonals going on, and I see it as shapes and colours, with positive and negative working well together. Has sort of an oriental feel to me, very minimalist, with everything well placed. I look forward to seeing more of your posts on this tac Fabs.

[DanWalters]

Love the unique comp and the colors. Like the open beak as well.

[David Thomasson]

In the mean time, do you think this works????

Works? It rocks!! Nicely done! ;)

[denise ippolito]

Fabs, Very unique and interesting. I like the different levels starting from the highest to lowest (L-R). It has a nice flow. I love the idea of Compositional Exercises that will be posted in OOTB. Can't wait!! I think it is very generous of you to share your teaching skills!!

[Juan Aragonés]

The idea of compositional exersices looks great. I like the result that you obtained here but I would prefer the heron facing to the right. I agree with the other parts of composition: vertical branches are very well placed in the frame and the OOF green stuff balances very nicely to the heron. What I would like to see in this image? a less harsh light, a darker BG and more saturation in the OOF green area to increase the role of the green in the overall composition. Good job!

[Dick Glover]

Fabs,
I agree with all the above that this is a wonderful image, and thank you for your coming composition instruction - very kind of you.
Still, I am left wondering how this image would look with a bit more room at the top, and the OOF lower right in focus. I realize that may not have been possible, but as the impact if the image for me is of the whole, the OOF area attracts undue attention.
Dick