Composing "Complex" Subjects?

[robonrome]

Hi All, I wouldn't mind some advice on how you approach composition of complex or intricate subjects... I'm talking here where there is no horizon and the subject fills the frame.

Here's an example where I was trying to frame a big old Jacaranda tree in flower against the blue sky. I really like the complex intertwining of branches and colour, but couldn't seem to capture the view with the eye.

Any tips?

[homersapien]

I think the image you captured is excellent. I think I would have composed it in almost exactly the same way.

[PBeeee]

Gosh, what a beautiful tree. I would shoot endless pics of this. You might think about laying down and shooting straight up into the branches. Nice job on exposure, by the way.

[robonrome]

Thanks for the kind comments:D. Maybe I'll try a similar composition but use my wide-angle lens to better capture the fuller picture.

[pwrmac]

Hey really nice pic. I agree with PB, I would take lots of photos from various positions around the tree. Due to its intricate weaving of branches, there are numerous possibilities that could turn out excellent photos.

[jrader]

Gosh, what a beautiful tree. I would shoot endless pics of this. You might think about laying down and shooting straight up into the branches. Nice job on exposure, by the way.
+1

Laying down and shooting upwards gives a perspective on the branches which will fill the frame, but not look overly complicated in the shot (since the branches will not overlap that much).

John

[neilwood32]

In your example, there is no right or wrong way to compose it.

One thing i would try to make sure is that the branch comes in at either the midpoint or a corner though as you have done above. If you dont (ie it comes out a quarter of the way up) it can look like you missed the spot.

Then shoot away with as many angles and compositions as possible (vary the focal length as well) - then look at them on a monitor and decide the best then - what looks good on a 2.5" screen may not be the best at 19".

[swapnali]

It's a really beautiful tree, and you choose the perfect day to shoot it.

[gjl711]

Many times with shots like these I have a clear vision in my minds eye of what I am looking for but I just can’t seem to get it on the camera. So when presented with these types of complex opportunities I will experiment with various lenses, angles, exposures and such looking for that one shot that captures what I was seeing. Then later a post I play with the different images. Sometimes they work, but most times it just doesn’t come close to my expectations. But for what it’s worth, I like the pic. Maybe a bump in sat might give it a bit more color but then again that could be my un-calibrated monitor here at work.

[PBeeee]

Now this is not meant to be brutal, please take it as honest critique but here is what I see 'wrong' from a compostition standpoint. The 'complex intertwining' of the branches has an asymetrical, unbalanced intitial impression going for it that, in my opinion, needs to be perfectly balanced and symetrical in the presentation. To wit, the upper left corner is too open both in terms of color & branch fill and is not off set by the lower right corner. The whole right side is too 'full' and the lovely curves of the branches make the straighter watersprout looking branches stand out too much, they are distracting. Even the slight amount of green is distracting. If you can just look at the lower left 2/3 of the shot, you can see a better shot. Coming off the trunk of the tree, the frame needs to be filled with the curving, graceful branches, leading out of the frame. The branch structure of this tree is so interesting, I would keep trying even after the flowers are gone. Back to my second sentence, I think the trick with this kind of thing is to keep the presentation extrememly well balanced versus the unbalanced nature of the subject. Get and post more shots of this tree. I bet you will get a keeper.

[robonrome]

Thanks again guys, some great ideas here that I will look to try out !!!

[chauncey]

I'm going to assume that this is a subject that you have constant access to.

Back off and take whole tree images from different perspectives, just walk around the tree taking snapshots.
Then on your monitor, dissect them, crop them, searching for that perfect composition.
Then, go back and take that "perfect shot" in the great light of the golden hours.

Just IMHO