Composition and all that Arty stuff - discussion thread.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16613968
Joe as far as the bike shot goes I got confirmation of why I liked it beyond my own evaluating by receiving a Mark of Excellence Award out of 1300 other images by someone that saw what I saw when I shot it. So I guess I'm not the only one that found merit in the image. A pretty tough contest at that. Also I got very good feedback from a critique with friends that also confirmed what I saw in the image also got some feedback here on POTN long before I submitted it to the contest. Just confirms my developed instincts in that case were indeed right.

Now if someone else shot the image and I was evaluating it I would use the same things I explained earlier for the reason I thought it was a good composition and why it worked on that level. We will never know for sure because I shot it but those are things I do look when looking at work.

Can't argue with reason my friend.

OhLook wrote in post #16613939
This tells me that marriage is extremely scary, a leap into the unknown, and the young man faces it petrified but resolute.

Hahaha sounds about right.

bugadrienne wrote in post #16613823
I don't want to mess with the first one. I really like the square.
I liked the colors in the second one, but I see what you mean. It is at f8. I also have the same shot at f5.6 which is even worse. lol

Do you think this one is better on account of color contrast and less distracting bokeh?

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …12742168@N08/11​998251506/
mimosa 2 by bugadrienne, on Flickr

The subject is rich in the eye because there is better visual separation of color and tone. The flower just pops. Great contrast between the candy pink and dark green. The brain is wired for brightness and motion. It's a part of our survival system and it produces a bias in the eye that is often necessary to overcome. It's best if a piece doesn't provoke this response unless that is a desired effect. So it's about balance for promotion of focus. Same with how you frame the subject.

Ok, I'm not yet commenting on other folks' stuff, not because I'm not intersted but because I don't yet think than I'm qualified enough to. That said, I will impose myself on you yet again, and ask for you to comment on just one more in the hope that you will see in it, what I see in it, hopefully, as confirmation that I am travelling in the direction that I want to be going.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/bidkev/11991654​545/

JakAHearts wrote in post #16613774
More "space" from me.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …56709879@N07/11​338346913/
Groom by shanereighard, on Flickr

I like this. The subject is compelling. The effect is compelling. By virtually eliminating the right half of the image we are and will always be drawn to the left half which is where the booty is. Nice tux. Great use of white, black, gray, and skin tone. The towels are coming out of the back of the head. I would remove them myself to further reduce any distraction in the view. I wish the burn was a little more precise around the door jamb. Classic. Nice work.

bidkev wrote in post #16614442
Ok, I'm not yet commenting on other folks' stuff, not because I'm not intersted but because I don't yet think than I'm qualified enough to. That said, I will impose myself on you yet again, and ask for you to comment on just one more in the hope that you will see in it, what I see in it, hopefully, as confirmation that I am travelling in the direction that I want to be going.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/bidkev/11991654​545/
too Close For Comfort by bidkev1 and son (see profile), on Flickr

The positioning of the silhouettes works fine. What could be tweaked is what we see between the silhouettes. The background may be sparse or perhaps you could move a bit and see if you can frame more scenery in the background. For instance what if the white village was between the different silhouettes. One thing that would completely change the character of this is the silhouette shape. As is these folks are bundled up for cold but what if they were off to a costume party instead? Say 18th century English court. Just a thought.

bidkev wrote in post #16614442
too Close For Comfort

The first thing that occurs to me is a question. Are all three traveling together; is the man in front with the couple in back, or does he just happen to be near them? That is, what's the relationship? Are they family? Does the title have to do with a relationship? If all three are members of one party, they don't all seem to get along too well. The general darkness of the scene, especially the upper region of the sky, suggests unhappiness, and the placement of figures suggests emotional tension.

OhLook wrote in post #16613939
That's the first time you've said anything good about what I've shown. Thank you.

I'm not controlling that. You are.

jetcode wrote in post #16614581
I'm not controlling that. You are.

Nonsense. Take responsibility for your comments.

OhLook wrote in post #16614592
Nonsense. Take responsibility for your comments.

I am not interested in entertaining your drama. Perhaps you should spend the time perfecting your art. That'll get my attention.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16614634
[adult handing child something, lots of paver bricks]

Are we still talking about space? My opinion: this would still be an interesting image if you used only its upper right quarter, but the space improves it by (1) making the people look farther away and more isolated, (2) showing that they've walked for a while, and (3) adding diagonals, which provide drama and repetition.

I'm not sure that much pavement has to be there. I don't know the optimal amount. Maybe there's no single optimal amount.

jetcode wrote in post #16614689
I am not interested in entertaining your drama. Perhaps you should spend the time perfecting your art. That'll get my attention.

I'll be perfecting my art independently of where your attention might go.

[adult handing child something, lots of paver bricks]
Did I miss something?

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16614725
[adult handing child something, lots of paver bricks]
Did I miss something?

I described your photo instead of reposting it, that's all.