Breaking the Rules vs Following the Rules

[djotaku]

Ok, I have this picture:

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 200 mm
Exposure: +0.19
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

Where I used (or attempted to use) the rule of 1/3s. Then I have this picture:


where it's centered. Ignoring the fact that the centered one is not as zoomed in as the rule of 1/3s, which do you think is the better shot. I admit that I actually like the rule of 1/3s one. But I want to know what others think so I can continue to develop my sense of when to follow the rule and when to break it.

Thanks!

PS - BONUS Pts - does it bother you that the tail is out of focus or does it enhance the image?

[maskedfan]

I love the first one. The space tells me he's ready to run / jump, and I want to know what he's looking at. I hadn't noticed the tail being out of focus until I re-read your post and found the question; I imagine if it were in focus it could compete for attention with the eye / face. If you could have got the front claws in (ie. not cut off) I think it would have been better. The haunch and tail being cropped doesn't bother me though.

Having said all that, I do like the challenge in the squirrel's expression in the second. I feel a closer crop would benefit that picture (feels a bit lopsided at the moment, and the space to either side doesn't seem entirely necessary).

Lovely clear captures :-)

[Wooglah]

First one, even if squirrel has cut of side and tail.

[djotaku]

Originally Posted by maskedfan

I love the first one. The space tells me he's ready to run / jump, and I want to know what he's looking at. I hadn't noticed the tail being out of focus until I re-read your post and found the question; I imagine if it were in focus it could compete for attention with the eye / face. If you could have got the front claws in (ie. not cut off) I think it would have been better. The haunch and tail being cropped doesn't bother me though.

Having said all that, I do like the challenge in the squirrel's expression in the second. I feel a closer crop would benefit that picture (feels a bit lopsided at the moment, and the space to either side doesn't seem entirely necessary).

Lovely clear captures :-)

Thanks for the info on the tail. Now that you mention it, I definitely agree with you. I think it's interesting food for thought that you didn't like the claws being cut off, but the haunch/tail being cut of is ok. Also, thanks for mentioning the part about giving him space to look into and run into. It's something I recently relearned and I'm trying to make it subconscious without, at the same time, making it so second-nature that I never break the rule.

Originally Posted by Wooglah

First one, even if squirrel has cut of side and tail.

thanks for your input!

[ericw]

I agree, I quite like the first picture. And if you hadn't cut off any part of the squirrel, I think I would call it great. The background and DOF is very nice and I like the texture of his perch. I can't tell if his nose is in better focus than his eye or not. It's just a tad soft, no doubt from shooting at 200mm wide open. Did you sharpen this at all? If not I'd say that tamron does well for you.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Wooglah

First one, even if squirrel has cut of side and tail.

agreed.

the first one by a looooong way.
even tho' you didnt follow the "rule" well (chopping the edges of the squirrel off)
its still far more natural.

[djotaku]

Originally Posted by ericw

Did you sharpen this at all? If not I'd say that tamron does well for you.

I don't think I did any sharpening. Maybe a little tiny bit in Lightroom, I think I applied a 12 amount of "clarity" which does appear to do some sharpening.

[ncbcymtechie]

First one for sure. I love the space that the squirrel is looking into, and I don't even mind the out-of-focus tail. That being said, my choice is being aided by the fact that the squirrel isn't dead center for the second one. Otherwise, I'd have to consider it since the squirrel's looking straight at the camera.

It could also be that the squirrel has a human pose/angle in the first shot.

Love it. Nice model!

[djotaku]

@ncbcmtechie thanks!

[BryanC]

I was trying to compare the 2 for awhile, to decide which one I liked better. But I think they are just a little different enough where I couldn't. Remember, I'm only giving my personal view...The first one seems forced into the rules of thirds, almost cramped. I think that has to do with the parts of the squirrel being cut off and a little too much space to the left. As for the second one, it doesn't bother me as much with the squirrel being centered because the composition of the brick seems to ease that feeling. The way it's diagonal through the frame. It maybe could use a little space above the tail in that one. Overall, great detail and exposure. Again, just one person's view and opinions.