Hi,
New to this forum I decided to post an issue I have often as to do with the so called rules of composition. I understand the rule od thirds and that you should place your subject with the open space being more to "fly into" or "swim into" ... I want to include the colored water trail created by the ducks movement but it places the moving subject past center and into the "swimm into space" Is that OK?
Any comments or suggestions appreciated Thanks much
To me, the horizontal position of the duck is fine. Vertically however my eyes are somehow drawn toward the bottom/right of the image, into the water. In this area, there is roughly 1/4 of the image where there is barely nothing from the bird or its trail, yet it keeps getting my brain's attention.
So if there is some "canvas" available at the top, I would personally try to put the bird lower inthe image.
Last edited by P-A. Fortin; 10-31-2011 at 06:34 PM.
To me, the horizontal position of the duck is fine. Vertically however my eyes are somehow drawn toward the bottom/right of the image, into the water. In this area, there is roughly 1/4 of the image where there is barely nothing from the bird or its trail, yet it keeps getting my brain's attention.
So if there is some "canvas" available at the top, I would personally try to put the bird lower inthe image.
Thanks so much for the response Here is a crop with the bird in the lower 3rd of the frame
Hi Cheryl,
I really don't follow any rules and I have only a few years ago became familiar with the 'rule of thirds' so I just crop according to what looks nice to me.... Here is my take with a bit of CW rotation.
Hi Cheryl,
I really don't follow any rules and I have only a few years ago became familiar with the 'rule of thirds' so I just crop according to what looks nice to me.... Here is my take with a bit of CW rotation.
Ofer, I went over this crop again and again and my feel is very similar to that but a little less centered vertically although not perfect in the rule of thirds. Nice to hear that coming from you. Thanks so much for the response. This feels good to me and I'm throwin awaythe rules
OOps wrong one!! See below
Last edited by Cheryl Arena Molennor; 11-01-2011 at 04:03 AM.
Yes, I like your repost! And agree about throwing away the rules. Composition doesn't always go by the rules - image has to feel right and it is a very personal thing....
Yes, I like your repost! And agree about throwing away the rules. Composition doesn't always go by the rules - image has to feel right and it is a very personal thing....
Ofer, I so agree with you and never used to think about it till I started posting on forums and got a little insecure about my choices. Today I will go with MY heart choice and take the advice that feels right. Thanks greatly
This is an issue of placement and as noted there are no rules. Being original is important especially with wildlife. I do tend to favor the traditional swim into the frame pics - but thats me. In this image the colors are interesting and compete against each other. Speaking of rules, there are actually color rules too. Some compliment some do not. These seem strong and the water and subject together are not so easy on the eye. On balance, love the duck and moment in nature. That is some beautiful water, the color is fantastic - did you boost it any.
Thanks Jeff for the input. No I didn't boost the colors and I have also posted this topic here http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...read.php/91113 where i mentioned the strong colors and wondered if they looked fake. The whole file has images with amazing colors and I will post more in Avian. Thanks again
Hi Cheryl- Apart from the "rules" which none of us follow (!), ask yourself this- what does the inclusion of the OOF water below the reflection add to the image? If the answer is "not much", then get rid. I like Ofer's reposts.
Hi Cheryl- Apart from the "rules" which none of us follow (!), ask yourself this- what does the inclusion of the OOF water below the reflection add to the image? If the answer is "not much", then get rid. I like Ofer's reposts.
Great point John and that goes totally against the rules and I love it.(I've always been a rebel )
I love it because it makes sense and it works That being said I am going with Ofers post as it does seem to be the best choice for the image
Great capture Cheryl. As far as the rule of having room to swim into sometimes it is good to see where it is coming from so having space behind is can be good also. I have posted the same photo on two different forums and one said to leave room to swim into the other said just the opposite, so I guess it is who is critiquing.
"Proper Crop?"
Originally Posted by P-A. Fortin
Here is my take with a bit of CW rotation.
Cheryl Arena Molennor thanked for this post
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