Rule of thirds with multiple subjects
Is it better to have one subject squarely on a ROT point or to get both as close as you can to one knowing that neither will be exactly there?
I went with the second way here, but I'm not sure it works.
Burke Lake, Va
D3 600 f4 on a Sommer Lens Rail and the Wimberly V2
1/1250 @ f4
Fill flash at zero
Hi Jim I usually go by feel Do pay attention to the rule of thirds but its instinctive For this one I would crop top and bottom Probably more bottom than top since the bird is pointing the head up (not much cropped)
With both birds on the same plane focusing was not a problem even wide open !!!
Hey Jim, I agree with Alfred that I'd crop off a good bit of the bottom. The gulls seem a bit too centered across the center of the photograph and the upward looking gull seem to suggest the direction of a better crop... I also think I'd lighten this image as you white tones are still quite gray. A simple levels tweak of the white point could really 'liven' up the image. I love that you caught the right-side gull calling (or at least giving us a nice stretch)!
Thanks guys. I wasn't really paying much attention to the color, but you're right it is a bit dull.
Both of these gulls were calling quite a bit and I have several frames with them together. I never got them both with a full open beak at the same time though.
The rule of thirds is just a suggestion albeit a good one. But I don't want to get too pigeon holed and forget to factor in some creativity if needed.
Totally agree!!!Originally Posted by Mike Tracy
Well, Mike took the words out of my mouth !..It's definitely NOT A RULE. Your avatar breaks the "rule"
I feel that there is something wrong with the balance of this image, Here, I would say "To heck with the so-called rule"
and balance the image to make it comfortable to look at.
IMO it needs more space on the right, giving both the adult and the juvenile more equal weight.
Possibly the image is a little flat. Move the right hand slider a little to the left in Levels (Ctl L),
taking care not to block the whites and let it sparkle.
hal
.
Take a look at some of my other questions, and you'll see that I totally agree with you that there are no rules. This photo was about an experiment on composition. I think it is pretty obvious that I missed the mark on that one and I appreciate all the feedback.
I'll go back to the original and try something different.
In the no fixed rules, think different camp, I'd be inclined to do the most cropping off the top. The water behind the gulls is rather boring whereas that in front has reflections and more interesting texture. besides the gulls are heading into it (and even the ringer with bill up is looking down, nice to have the detail of the pupil). BTW they are both adults, one is just a bit delayed in molt.
Thanks again everyone. I thought they were probably male & female, but don't know how to sex gulls.
Posting Permissions
