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01/10/2007 12:03:37 PM · #1 |
For the recent free study and centered composition challenge, I entered two shots of the Jefferson Memorial. I had a hard time choosing which one to enter in the free study. I suppose I guessed right given the scores, but I'm baffled as to why one scored so much more highly than the other.
I received two comments on the lower-scoring one that provide some hints, but they don't seem to justify the point differential.
Anyone got any thoughts?
Free Study: 6.5
Centered composition: 5.7
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01/10/2007 12:06:41 PM · #2 |
| IMO- the first one, your free study entry, has way more of a "wow" factor for me. The reflection is lovely. |
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01/10/2007 12:08:18 PM · #3 |
Anyone can walk up to a building and take a shot straight on, and it scores accordingly. On the other hand, it takes vision to wait for the right light and right moment and composition to capture the 2nd image - and that scores accordingly. IMO its all about the effort put into the shot that makes the difference there.
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01/10/2007 12:09:01 PM · #4 |
| I don't care for the crop on the second one, it seems out of balance. I think I would of cropped it a little tighter at the top, maybe to just above the pillars. I also don't think I would of cropped it as tight at the bottom. That's just my opinion, and I'm by no means a pro!! |
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01/10/2007 12:09:26 PM · #5 |
Agreed, more impact in the first. Feels like a stronger composition and the building is more impressive with the stark contrast of the pure black. Second shot doesn't have much impact at all, crop feels a little funny and tight and the image doesn't carry a strong sense of "centered" to me.
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01/10/2007 12:10:55 PM · #6 |
Agreed - wow factor. The first one has great balance and is beautiful. The second shot is still extremely good but it fills the frame too much and therefore has less dynamics IMO.
Message edited by author 2007-01-10 12:11:03.
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01/10/2007 12:11:58 PM · #7 |
| The beautiful symmetry of the wider shot is striking. The deep blacks also lend an elegance to the image. By contrast, the lighting in the close-in shot seems flat, and in general the composition is not nearly as compelling. |
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01/10/2007 12:14:57 PM · #8 |
my 2 personnal cents are that I would probably have rated higher the free study one and lower the centered composition one.
The free study one has some nice appealing features like the reflection in the water, the nice quasi-symetries (both horizontal and vertical), the deep black background that help the subject stand out, the same nice tones as the closer one, the full view of the monument, and thus less so of the tourists (can barely see one), etc.
The closer one give me the feeling to be "too close" (and I'm usually a tight crop fan). When I look at it I would like to see "more" like the stairs for example. Furthermore, the details that this tight crop allow me to see are not that striking, especially due to the tourists.
My personal taste of course.
EDIT: ok... gotta post quicker! no answer when I read the post and 6 afterwards uh :)
Message edited by author 2007-01-10 12:16:46. |
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01/10/2007 12:40:53 PM · #9 |
Interesting thoughts.
FYI, I took these from exactly the same spot. Gotta love the 12x zoom on my point and shoot. :)
So the effort was the same, Cindi. I know that your point, and it's appropriate, is what the viewer takes away from it. But the fact that *I* knew it was the same spot meant I couldn't see that until you said it.
For anyone who'd like the same shot, it's really pretty easy. There have been plenty of nights recently where the wind has been calm. Go up Independence Avenue from the Lincoln Memorial and just after you go over the bridge, follow the fork to the right. In the next little bit, look for the entrance to the parking lot on the right. Drive about halfway down the lot, walk over to the railing, and find the spot straight across from the memorial.
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