Reflections

[Meerkat17]

I've been looking at this one long and hard - I did think of cropping out the middle section of the bridge and just using that as the image - your input would be helpful.

Cheers
David

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/_MG_0174.jpg

[tim]

It looks almost a bit too symetrical to me. Nice though.

[Radtech1]

David,

OK - I'm going to go off the board for 50* and offer a thought that will either be very right or very wrong. The shot is wonderful - I WISH that So Cal had such things as this, but alas....

BUT - I was looking at it thinking how to be kind of daring. I know what you were saying about going with just the middle of the bridgr, but that did not seem to be it either.

Then I thought, well, the top half of the bridge is sort of blown out, as is the sky, so why not crop horizontaly it in the middle of the bridge?!? That would separate the frame into a 1/3 over 2/3 format, rather than half and half. The top and bottom are in a way redundant anyway. Why couldn't the shot stand with just the suggestion of the top half?

I think I will take a look.

Rad

*"Off the board for 50" is an expression from the American game show, "The Joker's Wild". There are 9 categories, any three of which may be "on the board" at any one time. Minimum win for answering a question "on the board" is 100. If you do not feel that you are strong on either of those 3 categories, you can select one of the 6 remaining categories for half of the minimum. The expression now means to answer a different question than the one that was asked.

[Radtech1]

OK, what about something like this. You might want to play with different crop lines, but this is the general idea.

Rad

http://home.ripway.com/2004-2/78486/_MG_0174.jpg

[Bodryn]

I tend to agree about the 1/3 and 2/3 ratio, (or 2/5 and 3/5). However I think it might be improved by backing up a bit and getting that ratio without leaving out any of the bridge. I would choose to lower the camera a bit so that the center of the photo would be below where the bridge meets the water. Also because the water is so smooth, I think it confuses the eye a bit. It might be worth experimenting a bit by adding a bit of ripple to that water reflection and see if that actually improves things. I think maybe as is, you have two centers of attraction: the bridge and its reflection. If the reflection were a bit less clear it might help the eye go naturally to the bridge itself. (Just the opinion of a non-expert.) Having said that, it is truly quite a beautiful picture.

[stv737]

after plaing with it a bit I like this.
http://covingtonsportsphoto.atspace.com/new_page_1.htm

[tim]

stv737, that could almost be mirrored along the horizontal and vertical axis! :p

[Meerkat17]

Thanks for all the input - I don't know what it is about this photo, sometimes I look at it and like it, other times I hate it! I think its because its mirrored so well without a ripple!!

Rad
I like the crop as its knocked it off center (one of my biggest failings when shooting) and it still has all the interest of the original. I will certainly try what you suggest.

stv737
I also like what you have done and somehow this helps me view the image, I don't know why the third arch should effect me but it does, its probably just too much information for my eyes to take in.

Thanks again for all the help.
Cheers
David

[BarryM45]

Hi David,

This is in no way a critical responce as i am not qualified to give such an impression. I have come back to this photo time and again since you posted it up. I understand exactly what you mean by at times the picture seems very good and at other times the picture raises questions. I have found that if i look at the picture in parts i find it easier on the eye. However, as a whole i find the picture disorientates me. As mentioned above this is not a criticism in fact i find the picture very interesting which is why i keep coming back to it. I would not mind taking pictures half as good as the samples i have seen from your postings.

Barry

[Skinner]

Mystery adds HUGE dimension to a painting/photograph. I would crop down, if you must, to the left arch leaving the viewer to wonder where the bridge came from.... and where it disappears to in those thickets!

In truth though I like it as is.

[dispatchermike21]

Awsome. Thank you for sharing it.