Question about balance in two photos

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Nature Photography Image Critique : One Thread

In my trip to California a few weeks ago I took some pictures at the beach, and I would like to ask what you think about the cropping and composition of them. The first photo is this: [p] [center][img src="http://www.hut.fi/~inissila/kivet-tyrskyissa-e.jpg"] [/center][p] in here, I think the cropping of the top rock enhances the drama as the central rock is yet to get soaked like the one at the top. However, it might be a better photo as a square or vertical composition showing both rocks. The second photo is [p] [center][img src="http://www.hut.fi/~inissila/sunset-at-golden-gate-e.jpg"] [/center][p] where I've played with the cropping and the placement of the sun in the frame. I tried 1:2 and even golden section but that gives a balanced composition which is to me a bit dull compared with the one above. Still, I'm a bit uneasy about the large dark space.

-- Ilkka Nissilä (ilkka.nissila@hut.fi), February 15, 2003

Answers

Ups, stupid me. I'll try again:



-- Ilkka Nissilä (ilkka.nissila@hut.fi), February 15, 2003.


The second picture could use a lot of cropping from the right, leaving the sun towards the right (not dead center) and make a lovely picture. The first is too busy for me, and I can't see an improvement with cropping.

-- M. Huber (rurpho@tele-net.net), February 16, 2003.

For the first photo, I agree, it is a little busy, but cropping the right side to lose the third rock might help simplify the composition.

For the second photo, I'm not sure if it needs much cropping. If you crop, I recommend cropping to the right so that the ridgeline ascends to the edge of the frame and does not go back down. This way the ridge's contour leads your eye back into the frame.

-- Christian Deichert (torgophile@aol.com), February 20, 2003.


A little more on the first photo: I really like how the copntours of the two rocks seem to echo one another. It makes for a great effect, and I think if you crop out the rock on the right edge, you allow the viewer to focus more on the other two rocks.

Wish you had included more of the rock at the top edge of the frame, but then I've no idea what was above it, so I don't know what elements this would introduce.

-- Christian Deichert (torgophile@aol.com), February 27, 2003.


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