The "rule of thirds" is a general rule of thumb that keeps the main subject of an image out of the center thereby providing a more pleasing and balanced composition... generally. Just like all rules of thumb in photography, however, there is nothing wrong with breaking the rules. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
I find the rule to be a great starting point for most pictures, and I thought I had done so in both the Buck's Harbor Pier image and the Hibiscus image. But upon further examination, perhaps the main subject was indeed too centered in the frame.
The judge suggested that a closer adherence to the "rule" would improve two of the images. So, when I got home, I re-cropped to see what I could do.
The Pier image was an easy project, as I merely cut off some of the top by switching from a 3:2 aspect ratio to the more square 4:3 ratio. This put the red building in more of a 1/3rd position and moved the horizon to exactly the 1/3rd position. The difference is subtle but I think the re-cropped image (below the original crop image) is better.
I do like the result. Below are the two images, "before" on top and "after" below.
The final image is that of a yellow camouflaged spider. Here the suggestion was to crop out some of the green at the bottom which the judge deemed as unnecessary and distracting. I agree. The solution was easy: go to a 3:2 aspect ratio horizontal crop. I think the second crop is stronger.
2 comments:
Hello Peter,
Personally (just my own thoughts) I would prefer your original composition of the yellow spider. I find the cropped image to be too flat, mainly because there are only a few shades of colour. I did not find the original green at the bottom of the initial composition to the distracting, it added the "natural" outdoor feel to the overall scene, and the green amplifies the yellow/orange colours.
Your composition was good enough to draw the eye's attention to the spider, and the two patches/pattern on its back had contrast in the flat yellow to have visual interest. Then the eye is allowed to travel around the image, to find the background which supported the main subject, and complement it very well.
I say stick to your original composition !!
Those are all good points, Robin. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. The first spider image certainly gives more of the environment, and I see your point about the cropped version looking "flat".
Peter F.
Post a Comment