Composition and all that Arty stuff - discussion thread.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #16529054
Now, back to the topic of this thread.

Too Many,
I like your brick wall / door image. I really do like images of architectural elements that do not have any barrel distortion or "perspective distortion (a.k.a. converging lines). I do realize that there are some very minor converging lines on the brick courses on the returns to the door, but that is extremely minor and cannot be helped. But the fact that the verticals are so very "in your face" close to the camera, and yet completely straight, parallel, and, well, truly vertical, is a really cool look, and one I wish were present in many more architectural images.

Tom I keep going back to that door image also. What I really like is the strong horizontal rectangular pattern broken up by the one large rectangular shape (the door). I like it.....

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16529106
Tom I keep going back to that door image also. What I really like is the strong horizontal rectangular pattern broken up by the one large rectangular shape (the door). I like it.....

Hehehe...thanks. The thing that came to my mind is that it has that certain surreal dream look. Like a door, surrounded by little patterns, you would face in your dreams. And the purple color and the white cement help to bring out the pattens.

elrey I will remove this if you want me to. In this image I find there is nothing that keeps the eye from following this line (blue) out of the frame. The blown out white car (circled in red) also facing the same direction moves the eye out of the frame and there is nothing near the edge keep that from happening.

toomany I will remove this if you so desire.

This is the way I read it...

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16529139
toomany I will remove this if you so desire.

This is the way I read it...


And you have a great little subset of triangles working to.

I agree. Of course, I wasn't really looking for any particular lines. I know this intersection well and it has a Y shape. I was looking for motiv to shoot that day and this cyclist just pull up on my left. Here, I have my subject. Otherwise, the street would be somewhat empty. And of course, you have to turn your focus to the cyclist because he is the closest subject here. The power lines above is always a problem but not much anyone can do about them.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16529095
[replying to: does anyone else think the absence of horiz. lines helps a composition? . . .] I do. In this case it helps create part of an arrow shape and that shape created by the perspective leads you to the bike.

Thanks for your response. I was wondering whether anyone had thought about trying to avoid horizontals--maybe it was a silly idea. That photo has lots of oblique lines at all different angles, which might cause chaos and confusion, but I think in this scene it slows you down, makes you pause in several places and stay longer. (Isn't this horribly manipulative!)

This one, I took on the same occasion, standing in the same place. I just turned around. It's more static, and it's only here to illustrate shooting from a dark area into a lighter area.

elrey2375 wrote in post #16528865
Don't let that stop you. (...) Don't let one bad apple put you off of posting.

OhLook wrote in post #16529096
Owain, the disruption wasn't your fault at all. Don't let it discourage you from participating.

This was just the straw that broke the horse's back and something I really didn't expect to come from a seemingly innocuous comment, but again, this is the internet and somebody has to be right about everything.

I was on the verge of stepping out a couple of months ago but the contributions of particularly Allen, and of late the discussions involving both yourselves, Tom and a couple others have been entertaining to read, at least, even if my work schedule and current project means I don't always have time to get involved in discussions on a consistent basis.

I may continue to lurk but I've generally become discouraged from posting either my own work or opinions - they don't seem to have a place here. I'm involved in a fairly long term project at the moment that I won't be publicising until it's completed, I'll devote my energies to that and maybe resurface when it's complete, to what ends I don't really know, so I may not bother.

Happy Holidays to all of you pleasant people.

Owain Shaw wrote in post #16529317
This was just the straw that broke the horse's back and something I really didn't expect to come from a seemingly innocuous comment, but again, this is the internet and somebody has to be right about everything.

I was on the verge of stepping out a couple of months ago but the contributions of particularly Allen, and of late the discussions involving both yourselves, Tom and a couple others have been entertaining to read, at least, even if my work schedule and current project means I don't always have time to get involved in discussions on a consistent basis.

I may continue to lurk but I've generally become discouraged from posting either my own work or opinions - they don't seem to have a place here. I'm involved in a fairly long term project at the moment that I won't be publicising until it's completed, I'll devote my energies to that and maybe resurface when it's complete, to what ends I don't really know, so I may not bother.

Happy Holidays to all of you pleasant people.

Qwain Shaw,

Lurk bro but wish that you would continue posting here. I always find your posts insightful and your work inspiring.

If we let those few succeed in chasing away those with real contributions we all loose.

TooManyShots wrote in post #16528936
<cough> Be careful what you wish for. First, technically, this shot is not great. Shadows are too dark, no details. Highlights are either close to being blown out or about to be blown out. Strange distortions here. Building across and the poll on the right side. Distortions are fine if it can create a sense of cognitive dissonance. Here, it seems like the distortion was created from using a too wide lens. The cars in the front do not help much. Frankly, I am not sure what is happening here in this photo. Not getting the message. Personally, I don't like shooting people's back. Something I learn in shooting cycling photography. Of course, you are going to tell me I am all wrong but people can see what is happening here or what is not happening here......

Here is my shot with a similar theme but with a slightly better execution, I think. Of course, you can say I am wrong too. The leading line is going to the left, yours is to the right but stopped short by the parking lot. Mine is all the way to the subway station.

Ilford fp4+ with Xtol

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/vracing/1123094​8446/
Scan-131205-0005 by vracing, on Flickr

The shot looks exactly as I wanted it to. I don't want any details in the shadows, that's why it's called a silhouette. Cycling photography isn't street photography. I like the image because it looks, with the black mat, as if they've emerged from some secret hole and are shuttling forth to do whatever it is they're doing. The image was well received on other sites that it was posted, 500px, etc., so if you don't get it, that's ok. Art isn't meant to be gotten by everyone. You obviously have a problem with me and I'm sorry I got the thread off topic for a few pages by letting you get to me. I simply thought it was pointless to discuss something as menial as bags on a bike seat in a thread that is about art and composition.

My first attempt in this thread. I hope to try a few more. I certainly know that I can stand some education on composition.

This is a shot I took several years ago in Italy. It's the flower that a caper becomes if allowed to bloom. I like it okay in the original color, but I played around converting it to B&W and was wondering if it has any redeeming value.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …58812694@N08/11​392341965/

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16529128
elrey I will remove this if you want me to. In this image I find there is nothing that keeps the eye from following this line (blue) out of the frame. The blown out white car (circled in red) also facing the same direction moves the eye out of the frame and there is nothing near the edge keep that from happening.

I agree with you. I still like the photo and I've explained why to the best of my ability. There's a feeling I get from it, a mood and that's enough for me. You know as well as I do that photography as art isn't about being technically perfect. That has nothing to do with it. I respectfully disagree with you but thanks for your opinion.

That's lovely Elrey. My first thought was that the lad could have been placed more to the right to reduce that large area of black, but then I realised that, as is often the case, that whatever "rule" that was suggesting that to me would be wrong in this case. Anyway, for what it's worth I like it as it is...the dark adds to the little man's sense of aloneness. BTW, that light you've captured is just great!

elrey2375 wrote in post #16530441
I agree with you. I still like the photo and I've explained why to the best of my ability. There's a feeling I get from it, a mood and that's enough for me. You know as well as I do that photography as art isn't about being technically perfect. That has nothing to do with it. I respectfully disagree with you but thanks for your opinion.

This has nothing to do with being technically perfect. Many really great photographs aren't technically perfect but they all have a strong use of visual elements which this one in my opinion is really lacking.

Worth a repost

http://char.txa.cornel​l.edu/language/introla​n.htm

Ricardo222 wrote in post #16530509
That's lovely Elrey. My first thought was that the lad could have been placed more to the right to reduce that large area of black, but then I realised that, as is often the case, that whatever "rule" that was suggesting that to me would be wrong in this case. Anyway, for what it's worth I like it as it is...the dark adds to the little man's sense of aloneness. BTW, that light you've captured is just great!

I agree....