My What? puzzle - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/26/2005 03:19:20 AM · #1

I'm really trying to understand why this one placed where it did. Usually I can figure out where I went wrong or where I did something others didn't care for. But this one truly puzzles me. I didn't expect it to ribbon or anything but it seems misplaced to my biased eyes. :)

Any ideas?

Nitin

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

10/26/2005 03:24:01 AM · #2

I scored it a 5. It appears too centered to me - did you try a different crop? Also, the expression looks too posed and unnatural.

olddj

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon

10/26/2005 03:34:36 AM · #3

I too scored it there, but to me when I looked at his face, had to convince myself it was a what, looked more pained than questioning.

Jacque

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/26/2005 03:41:55 AM · #4

Closer crop would've made folks score it a bit higher I believe.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/26/2005 03:42:34 AM · #5

Originally posted by Nitin:

I scored it a 5. It appears too centered to me - did you try a different crop? Also, the expression looks too posed and unnatural.

Yeah, it has to be all the way on the right with plenty of negative space :P

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/26/2005 03:45:18 AM · #6

Originally posted by ttreit's entry note:

I decided the impact of this image worked better if it were centered.

I didn't vote on that challenge, but if I did, I'd say you were wrong. ;-) Would've given it a 5 probably-- not just the centering, but just an average shot overall, IMO. Hope that helps.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

10/26/2005 05:49:57 AM · #7

So how does putting this particular shot off center strengthen it? I'm all for the rule of thirds when it makes sense...

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

10/26/2005 05:53:37 AM · #8

Originally posted by ttreit:

So how does putting this particular shot off center strengthen it? I'm all for the rule of thirds when it makes sense...

I think just by the fact that it would make it look less "family-snapshotty".

taterbug

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

10/26/2005 06:04:46 AM · #9

Originally posted by Konador:

Originally posted by ttreit:
So how does putting this particular shot off center strengthen it? I'm all for the rule of thirds when it makes sense...

I think just by the fact that it would make it look less "family-snapshotty".

This is true, IMO, and also, I think in this case, the centered comp may have been stronger had the subject filled the frame more. There is just a lot of space on the sides that don't seem to serve any purpose.

10/26/2005 06:07:10 AM · #10

The rule of thirds is not always the answer, of course, not by a long shot. But in this case you have a problem. As Konador pointed out, one consideration is that the complete centering of a human subject tends to have an air of "snapshot" about it, since it's what just about every casual shooter does on every people shot. And, like it or not, those "thirds" lines carry dynamic weight. Look at the image as submitted, and see how the most coilorful thing in the shot (the red/orange tree) is smack on one of those lines; really pulls the eye up and away.

Now think about what you're trying to communicate here: "skepticism". And where, in this picture, does the skepticism live? In his expression, of course, and especially in his left eye (the rightmost eye in the image as we view it). That eye is downright startling, quite compelling. So let's use the rule of thirds to bring it into prominence, OK? Like this:

See what I mean? Of course, it would be beven better if I hadn't had to upsample to reach 640, but working from the original...

R.

10/26/2005 01:18:12 PM · #11

bump for the day crowd 'cuz I think this is a useful discussion. Agreement/disagreement here?

R.

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

10/26/2005 01:20:27 PM · #12

Agree with changing the crop. It's too loose for my taste and the cropped version has more "tension" in it.

However, I think the photographer should be able to do whatever the photographer wants. It just won't score well.

M

mesmeraj

10/26/2005 01:23:11 PM · #13

i wouldnt have even rule of third'd it - i would have made it a close up of his face. It is the facial expression that carries the "what" in this image. The boken background adds nothing to the image, nor does his shirt serve any purpose in the story you are portraying. His face is all that matters in the image, and yet it makes up a very small proportion of the full picture.

Apple iPhone 5

10/26/2005 01:48:10 PM · #14

Yea - Tight crop on his face would have done it for me. The rest of the shot is superfluous (word of the day)

10/26/2005 01:51:36 PM · #15

That's probably true enough, cut to the face (so to speak) but that would have been taking even MORE liberties with his intentions, and anyway what I was looking at is to demonstrate how rule of thirds CAN damatically improve compositions, even if it IS often overused. This was ttreit's question, earlier: "So how does putting this particular shot off center strengthen it? I'm all for the rule of thirds when it makes sense..."

Robt.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/26/2005 07:44:49 PM · #16

This has been really helpful, thanks everyone.

I think one of my lessons learned is to not stop once I've accomplished my original vision but to keep playing with it and really think more about what is THE strongest element in the shot and how to make that pop out.

SJCarter

Canon EOS-7D

10/26/2005 08:23:30 PM · #17

Left you comment on the image. I also scored it a 5. I think you captured a good moment - I just think you could have capitalized on it more fully in processing.

10/26/2005 08:31:00 PM · #18

Thanks - my processing skills are very small, heh. Anyone have any good advice on that? A book, tutorial, class, etc on using Photoshop? I have the Photoshop Bible which is good for a reference but I'm looking for something with maybe assignments to walk through....that's usually how I learn best.

10/26/2005 08:41:38 PM · #19

You can always start with the Photoshop Basics Mentorship Thread :-)

R.