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 06/29/2005 03:30:07 PM · #1
PLEASE DON'T CENTER YOUR SUBJECT!!!

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest!
06/29/2005 03:34:56 PM · #2
The real art is knowing when to centre them and when not to.
Sometimes a centred subject looks much better than the rule of thirds.

06/29/2005 03:35:47 PM · #3
Quite correct, Damian. However centered is NOT the best look for EVERY shot! hehee
 06/29/2005 03:38:45 PM · #4
Agreed, 80% of the time pictures look better with the rule of thirds applied.
 06/29/2005 03:39:40 PM · #5
You can win ribbons for doing it sometimes....
 06/29/2005 03:44:16 PM · #6
Those are excellent examples of when centered DOES work. But I stand by "When in doubt.... don't".
06/29/2005 03:51:47 PM · #7
I would also like to bring up one of the other items I have had problems over coming...you don't always need to show the entire image to show what it is.

I used to think shooting people you had to get all of them in or at least all their head but have really seen some creative and pleasant work where that isn't the case. You just really need to pay attention to where you cut some things off (not just half the ear for example) Still working hard on that with my nature/landscape scenes.
 06/29/2005 03:56:20 PM · #8
Originally posted by sabphoto:
You just really need to pay attention to where you cut some things off (not just half the ear for example) Still working hard on that with my nature/landscape scenes.




:)
 06/29/2005 03:58:34 PM · #9
since were adding tips - dont enter tiny images in challenges!
Its the number one downfall of DPC newbies!!
 06/29/2005 04:00:43 PM · #10
Tip: Master your own equipment before investing in a bunch of stuff you probably don't need anyways.
 06/29/2005 04:03:51 PM · #11
Originally posted by sabphoto:
I would also like to bring up one of the other items I have had problems over coming...you don't always need to show the entire image to show what it is.

I used to think shooting people you had to get all of them in or at least all their head but have really seen some creative and pleasant work where that isn't the case. You just really need to pay attention to where you cut some things off (not just half the ear for example) Still working hard on that with my nature/landscape scenes.


Very true. Feet seem to be a major problem. If you show the rest of the body, unless its called for, please include the feet. Otherwise it is more likely to look like a snapshot. The goes for people as well as chickens! ;)

d
 06/29/2005 04:56:58 PM · #12
Why should we conform to what you want? If I want to center my subject I will, if I want to cut off part of my subject I will. It is my photo and I shouldn't have to conform to any rules if I don't want.

On a side note: Shouldn't this be in the RANT FORUM?

Edit: It is your photo do what you damn well want to do to it.

Message edited by author 2005-06-29 18:25:15.
 06/29/2005 05:20:09 PM · #13
My top tips: 1. Photography is like life, it is most satisfying when responsibility for details is maintained and when patience is employed. 2. With the exception of action shots, strive to spend as much time setting up camera controls, previsualizing and composing in the viewfinder; than time spent later with corrective editing tools. 3. If something inside you says, "Take this shot." Do all that is practical in order to take that shot.
 06/29/2005 05:25:07 PM · #14
Originally posted by idnic:
PLEASE DON'T CENTER YOUR SUBJECT!!!

Why?
 06/29/2005 05:55:57 PM · #15
Originally posted by idnic:
PLEASE DON'T CENTER YOUR SUBJECT!!!

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest!


The next time I photograph a subject that I am going to print, frame, and send to your doorstep, I'll make sure I don't center it. Otherwise, since photography is about personal choice (if you aren't commissioned that is), I think it's up to the photographer to do what he/she pleases. If I submit a photograph to a competition that is centered, give it a "1" because you hate it, but I am not concerend since again, it's a matter of personal choice.
 06/29/2005 06:00:12 PM · #16
Sorry, my mistake. I was posting that tip for people who want to learn to take better images, I should have pointed that out. Simple truth is, that MOST of the time, off-centered is more interesting to look at and less "snapshot". This coming from years of experience and from selling photography. You, of course, may take your images any way you like. It IS your choice.

06/29/2005 06:01:43 PM · #17
Cindi, you've still not answered my question -- why?
 06/29/2005 06:04:07 PM · #18
Originally posted by idnic:
Sorry, my mistake. I was posting that tip for people who want to learn to take better images, I should have pointed that out. Simple truth is, that MOST of the time, off-centered is more interesting to look at and less "snapshot". This coming from years of experience and from selling photography. You, of course, may take your images any way you like. It IS your choice.


Now you're talking. =)
 06/29/2005 06:05:14 PM · #19
I believe I did answer the question...

Simple truth is, that MOST of the time, off-centered is more interesting to look at and less "snapshot".

When studying fine art, paintings, photographs, etc., you will learn that artists have long known about this theory. There are some excellent books on composition that I could recommend if you are interested. It IS true that sometimes a centered main subject does work, but, more often than not, a more pleasing image will be produced by using the rule of thirds.

Message edited by author 2005-06-29 18:05:30.
 06/29/2005 06:06:06 PM · #20
Cindi is absolutely correct: the single, most common flaw of amateur snapshooters is the pure centering of the subject in the viewfinder. If you are paying attention to composition, and have determined that for this image a centered subject is appropriate, you are probably right and her message does not apply to you. But the "unconscious mode" nearly always centers the subject in the frame of the picture, and most of the time this leads to a static image. When I taught photography at UCSD, this was always lesson #1; "Place your subject consciously within the frame."

So it's time to stop busting her chops, I think.

Robt.
 06/29/2005 06:11:55 PM · #21
Thanks Robt. :)
 06/29/2005 06:12:53 PM · #22
a quick google on composition has helped me avoid the bullseye approach to all my shots
 06/29/2005 06:18:40 PM · #23
I am still on this:

Why should we conform to what you want? If I want to center my subject I will, if I want to cut off part of my subject I will. It is my photo and I shouldn't have to conform to any rules if I don't want.

On a side note: Shouldn't this be in the RANT FORUM?

Edit: It is your photo do what you damn well want to do to it.

Who are you and for that matter anyone else to tell me how to take a photo?

Message edited by author 2005-06-29 18:25:02.
 06/29/2005 06:21:27 PM · #24
Originally posted by bear_music:
the single, most common flaw of amateur snapshooters is the pure centering of the subject in the viewfinder.

And I would say the most common flaw of enthusiasts is to insist that everything be non-centred. Hence a dictorial rule of 'thou shalt not centre thy images' seems equally silly.

Compare your lesson #1 to Cindi's first post - big difference methinks.
 06/29/2005 06:25:25 PM · #25
If you center your shot, you guarantee you are getting the entire subject. You can always use clever cropping techniques to off-center as desired. I agree the off-center shot can be more appealing at times, but if you are shooting subjects off-center and you lob off an ear or worse, you lose the shot entirely.

In the end, take the shot you like best and if you find it needs to be moved around, you can always do that in PS (I believe this trick will be part of idnic's next set of suggestions).
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