Composition help

[Starkz]

Hi guys, I have 2 photos here that I have been trying to decontruct compositionally but not having much luck. I would really like to get some opinions from people who know alot more than I do

I actually quite like the first one better, since the yellow line and the roof both draw your eye to her head, and the yellow line stays unbroken. Even though her feet are pushing the bottom I like it since it makes me feel a little uncomfortable. Though, the next one is nice since her head breaks the line of the roof.

When showing them to a friend, they like the other one. So maybe its just relative. But if anyone can tell me which one they prefer and why that would be a great help.

I also coloured in the photos in blocks to help. and the funny thing is, it makes me change my mind about which one I like better.

Cheers - Alex.

[Starkz]

Here are the blocked out images...

[wulf]

The problem with blocking out the elements of the composition is that it can lead you to forget the other details. The second shot definitely works better with the blocked out background but I am not so sure in the full version - the tree beside her head is confusing with her curls and the covers on the floor and the guy pushing his bike out of the frame are also distracting.

Is this is a set up you can go back to? The best result would probably come from understanding both pictures and, armed with that knowledge, going back to shoot more.

Wulf

[Starkz]

Hey Wulf, cheers for the reply. Thats exactly the way I felt about it as well. The second one definitely works better blocked out. Unfortunately I took it last week when we were on holiday, so can't go back. But I can recreate a similar shot quite easily. I'm really after any compositional tips to look for when shooting a similar shot. Or is it just down to personal preference?


I agree the guy pushing the bike is distracting, but on the top one, would it be nicer to not have her feet pushing the edge of frame so much or does that work?
Cheers.

[wulf]

I am not too bothered by her feet being at the bottom but you can test some options. Create a couple of duplicate layers. On one, use the clone tool to remove all traces of the girl; on the other, use a layer mask to hide everything but the background (and then apply the mask).

Now you can experiment with putting the girl into different places in the scene. The layers don't have to be perfect but will give a good guide and also help you think about background details as well as overall composition.

Wulf

[Timgo]

Besides the xtra people, the yellow curb on the first one also seems to divide the picture right in the middle. Also, on #1 the palm behind her is coming right out of her head.

[dmvp]

From a composition standpoint, I like the first one. It gives the photo a bit of depth, which I like. Your friends might like the second one because she is smiling a bit cuter in the second one.

I also don't mind the feet being on the bottom edge, though you might have a problem if you try to print and frame it.

[Starkz]

Thanks Denise, I like the first one beter too. Good point about framing, something to think of for future photos.

Cheers Wulf, good idea for the layer mask. Will give that a go. I could clone out the pam in the bg as well, but not really trying to get a perfect photo out of it. REally just using this as an example of what to do differently later on.

Thanks for all the feedback.

[PhotoNewt]

I would vote for the first one, cloning out the tree off her head if possible. I would also try a vertical crop to eliminate most of the background and make her the focal point in a portrait.

[dakwegmo]

Alex, I think you're off to a good start with the way you're thinking about composition. You seem to be applying the ideas of leading lines and the rule of thirds in the field. As for these images, I think you're headed in the right direction, but need to work on eliminating distractions. There are simply too many powerful ideas in the scene competing for attention.

Both have people in the background on or near the intersection of thirds making them very prominent in the scene.
In the first image the vertical lines in the sidewalk leading to the grass, draw your attention right past the girl.
In the second shot, the regular shapes of the drain grate and manhole cover create very powerful focal points that pull you away from the main subject.
The yellow curb could just as easily lead you away from the girl and out of the scene.

Blocked out I think they both make interesting compositions. However, the details that you've eliminated in the blocking are the exact things that make the compositions not work for me in the photograph.

Just based on these two shots the one piece of advice I would offer would be to continue what you're doing, but also try to reduce the distractions. In a word simplify.