Cropping the Mathematical Bridge

[joanium]

This is the Mathematical Bridge in Cambridge, UK. I've posted the cropped version. The original is here. Do you prefer the original or the cropped version?

Cropped

[Through the Veil]

I prefer the cropped. That's because in the original the sky was pale and almost white. If it had more color the contrast would have been very nice.

The cropped focuses attention better without the distraction of the pale sky.

[Nieton21]

the cropped version didn't lose any of the elements it had before, but in the before, the sky and the top of the building offered more informatin for the eye to intake and drew you away from the main structure. Neat bridge, good shot.

[jiminyClickit]

joanium, welcome

Depends; if you want to illustrate "bridgeness," the cropped would suffice. If you want to include a sense of "place, time, and atmosphere," original is better.

[NaturesPixel]

hmm i prefer the uncropped it gives the bridge room to breathe.. having said that the sky if over exposed.. a Neutral density filer or even a polarizer would help... that being said you can fix this in photoshop if you are good..

PS if i get time.. may i play around with the original and post back here please???

[wulf]

A lot of this is just a matter of taste - largely subjective although, if you had a particularly purpose in mind for the image (eg. "the structure of the bridge" or "the bridge as a Cambridge landmark") that might suggest some versions as better than others.

If it was my photo, I suspect I might experiment with cropping it to be a bit wider, losing most of the sky but keeping more of the context. I often start with a specific ratio in mind (16:9, familiar from widescreen films, often appeals) and then crop to achieve that ratio and touch on other compositional "rules" (eg. rule of thirds, golden ratio, leading lines, etc).

Wulf

[KagoGrl]

I am inclined to say that I like the original shot better, but at the same time I agree that the sky is quite plain and doesn't really offer much. I did, however, like seeing more of the buildings, so perhaps you could play around with that - as wulfsaid: go with more of a widescreen crop.

Just a suggestion, both shots are quite good.

[joanium]

Thanks everyone for your ideas. A widescreen crop may let me have the best of both worlds. I often try to crop in a 4:3 ratio just to pretend that I'm brilliant because I can always compose things perfectly in the field

NaturesPixel, if you are inclined to fiddle with the picture on computer, do feel free. Send me a message if you would like a larger version of the photo.

[photobyfelix]

I prefer the uncropped version because it gives some meaning to the bridge, and puts it in context with its surroundings. Yes, the sky is "blown out" but that can be fixed. The focus for me was not only the bridge, but where it was going. Seeing where that bridge was taking me told "the story" for me.

Very nice shot, I like textures that come through on the bridge and old buildings.

PBF

[Suze]

I like the cropped one for showing the bridge.

Seeing the buildings in the original leaves me hoping you'll do more of the buildings in the future.

Cheers
Suze