Just to keep the minimalism discussions going, here's a couple of shots I've not shared anywhere.
I'd love to hear thoughts, especially those on the negative side (important learning tool....). I'm personally on the fence on the first, wondering if the subject lacks enough interest to hold the image.
All sincere comments are both welcomed and appreciated.
I really enjoy creating something different with drones. I've had the Mavic now for about four weeks and I absolutely love it.
Client came and needed headshots immediately. Set up a single Broncolor Para 133 in the dining room. Delivered 20 pics. Setup, Shoot, Edit and delivered within 30 minutes.
This is a water reservoir for the city of Curitiba, Brazil
11 Comments
Hello Boss.
#1) Is a bit lost for me with my eye bouncing back and forth trying to select the subject and failing due to the Rule of Odds. I wonder if the scene was played out with more on the right...as if there once was a third fence... then the eye would see that empty space as the third element. Perhaps even moving the POV more to the left could have accomplished this as the fencing would be narrower and take up less real estate.
Just a thought.
#2 I like the big puffy snowflakes. I like how the distant wood pointes to the subject: "Nothing behind the curtain....look over there."
Are you seeing an Odd Number or even in this case?
My eye ignores what is not the subject (distant Wood) and only sees the subject. Although you could easily argue there are four trees, my eye is willing to accept the smallest tree (shrub?) between the tallest tree and the tree on the right (trees left) is just as aspect of the tallest tree and is of no moment.
Thank you for posting.
Yeah, the rule of odds is a nice concept - until faced with only two elements! My goal here was to simply gain the best balance and perspective I could using what was available in front of me.
Both shots were taken on snowy days, although at completely different locations and times.
Thanks for your detailed analysis
I think Rules are more like "Suggestion of Mass Opinions".
Agreed. I personally try to push them to one side and do what stirs the right emotions.
As I look at these I really do enjoy them. I would offer the suggestion that they appear a bit dark on my computer, but that is a matter of personal taste and how you render the image. I would like to see uniformity of color balance since they are posted together. The difference when they are side by side is a bit bothersome. But I do enjoy them a lot.
Thanks for your thoughts Nathan.
Both were taken during snowstorms, so the darker mood is more or less a true representation of the scene.
In the past I would process snow scenes much brighter, but found that the essence of the environment was completely lost.
Good shout on the differences of color balance. These were never intended to be published (and definitely not together!), but you are exactly right in that I should have spotted that and prepared them better.
I really like the idea of the first composition, but I wonder if the fence should be clearer because of the color (reddish?)? The second one is really nice. It feels a little dark, but I still like the composition overall. You're making me think of snow now in this muggy weather!
Thanks PG.
The red fence was something I thought I could play with, but brightening/saturating the color destroyed the sombre atmosphere within the image and made it look fake.
I guess in my old age I am trending toward capturing mood and atmosphere rather than creating 'pop' in these images. The 2nd is a good representation of this. In my earlier years that snow would be white, and not a reflection of the snowstorm that surrounded me.
I get it and makes sense. Looking at it again with that in mind tells the story better for me!
The first one is excellent because in a photo with an overall almost, completely flat perspective, the fences stand out because they do give you a sense of depth.
The second is an excellent idea, however the trees are just too ordinary. There's nothing about them that stands out, neither the light nor their composition. So the trees on the right fade into background giving an air of mystery, while the foreground trees say, "Yeah? And?" Why are they important? Why do they stand out? Do they say anything or give a backstory? Nothing. They're just three trees. So for example, if it was just the single small one on the left, then it's a small tree all alone struggling with the elements. Will it survive? Then the mystery evoked by the fading perspective of the trees on the left come into play.
Thanks for your willingness to share Charles.
I was aware that the trees were not the best subject at the time, but I think they work to balance the scene with the subdued forest on the left.
This was actually part of an experiment/learning opportunity to test how on-camera flash reacted with falling snowflakes at varying shutter speeds. If done right I feel that the brighter flakes can add an extra dimension and depth to an otherwise flat environment.