Subject on the left or the right?

[KansaiGreenie]

I took this photo this summer and I am wondering if it looks better with the incense stick on the left or the right. The top image is how I shot it and the bottom is the flipped version.

Of course, other comments are also welcome. Thanks!



EXIF
Date: 7/18/2009
Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Tv: 1/50
Av: f/5.6
ISO: 400
Lens: 18-200mm @ 200mm

[thefly1985]

I prefer the image with the subject to the right, but I cannot tell you why. This is pretty interesting.. I wonder if it is because I am right eye dominant.
-Kasey

[oldwolf]

kinda like the incense to the right because it's a natural progression.

the flame causes the incense stick to look the way it is.

[kgb224]

For me it has the same feeling.left or right makes no difference to me.

[chl0e]

I much prefer the one with the incense stick on the left, but I really couldn't tell you why!

[Nathan deGargoyle]

My eye is naturally attracted to the brightest part of the image straight away. Because most of us read from left to right our natural inclination is for us to move across an image in the same way, but in your first image I need to move my view in the opposite direction to find the focal point of the image so I keep sliding back to the out of focus flame. Therefore I prefer the second where I see the flame first then move right to rest on the focal point. I have no idea whether this is true (but opposite) for cultures that read from right to left or indeed up and down

[Downtown]

I agree with Nathan. Oddly enough I'm more attracted to the image with the incense on the right for the same reason's!

DT

[KansaiGreenie]

Thanks everybody! I really appreciate it.

As for me, I think that I like the incense one the right (the lower photo) and I'm not sure why. Maybe it has to do with reading. Maybe it has to do with the 'golden section'. I don't know.

So now my trouble is what to do with this photo. It's not very interesting after all...

Thanks again.

KG

[ncbcymtechie]

Originally Posted by Nathan deGargoyle

My eye is naturally attracted to the brightest part of the image straight away. Because most of us read from left to right our natural inclination is for us to move across an image in the same way, but in your first image I need to move my view in the opposite direction to find the focal point of the image so I keep sliding back to the out of focus flame. Therefore I prefer the second where I see the flame first then move right to rest on the focal point. I have no idea whether this is true (but opposite) for cultures that read from right to left or indeed up and down

This seems like quite a plausible explanation to me. Well done, Nathan!

[Hartzler]

Subject right for me. I enjoyed reading the other critiques, it educated me about how our eye tends to 'read' a photograph.