Fence Post

[Oliag]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/2209715964/" title="IMG_17681 by Oliag0, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/2209715964_e25a1d7452.jpg" width="364" height="500" alt="IMG_17681" /></a>

I took this pic for the DOF challenge and have been wondering about the cropping ever since...What does everyone think? is it too closely cropped to the fence post? I was trying to put some focus on the lichen...Also do you think anything could be done better with the dullish colors? The day was actually really dull..I'm try to learn so feel free to blast away!

Camera: Canon PowerShot G9
Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 7.4 mm
ISO Speed: 200

[taykuyphotoart]

The problem with this shot IMHO is that the lines of the shot draw you towards the fence post, but not neccesarily to the lichen you are trying to feature. The cropping on the left is a little bothersome and the shape of fence post seems unnaturally bloated. I would suggest backing up from the shot just a little to straighten out the lens distortion issue, or maybe getting closer if you want to feature the lichen more. In addition, I think you need a little less exposure in your shot here, the wood lacks the detail that I would like to see here. Good idea using the lines of the fencepost as a compositional element!

[peeperita]

my eye says that yes....your instinct is correct about the cropping....it's too tight to suggest a clear subject....

peeper

[Oliag]

Thanks for the input! I'm going to try again with the cropping..:)

[jiminyClickit]

Oliag,

If you can avoid it, the "gutter" on the right formed by the vertical fence rail is too strong a shape, compared to an angled, diagonal element. If you had shot the fence from a foot left of where you stood, so that the rails were headed up and to the left, and the post was on the right, might have given a more interesting composition, fewer distractions.

[Oliag]

Thank you to every one for replying! I can't go back and take the picture from another angle but I tried cropping it differently...I think it is slightly better..I didn't want to lose the walkers in the distance but that fence post is a little smaller. Do you think it is a better composition?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/2231001569/" title="IMG_17682 by Oliag0, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2231001569_bd8dde9fcc.jpg" width="500" height="497" alt="IMG_17682" /></a>

[Nathan deGargoyle]

The ground to the right of the fence doesn't seem to tie in with the ground to the left. And with the white line running across the right, level with the top of the fence, that rectangle looks as though it's cut off from the rest.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/IanGM/Oliagsfencepost.jpg

if you see what I mean

[Oliag]

Hmmm...I do....I'll keep working at it! Thanks!