Bridge in Gee Brook State Forest

[JohnBrainard]

The more I look at this picture, the more I like it. I have a hard time composing shots with a lot going on in the background. It seems hard to find a good subject and to get it to stand out from the rest of what's going on.



I want to go back and take that shot again with that composition in the full frame. I had to crop that photo.

I'm going to try taking it from the other side of the bridge this time. That mound of dirt seems to get in the way. I'd like to have more of the wood in the shot.

What are your thoughts? How could I take that shot better?

[dimitrz]

you already said it - the mound of earth though good is in a way blocking the overall composition (read view of bridge )

The way the trail goes on is excellent as it leads my eye forward through the photo.

I would try to see if I could get a bit more of the tree tops ( but at such close range may not be possible)

I would be tempted to take a closeup shot from the base/start of the bridge and see how it goes.

Frankly I love the photo

Cheers

[JohnBrainard]

Originally Posted by dimitrz

The way the trail goes on is excellent as it leads my eye forward through the photo.

I didn't give much thought to the trail. I'll keep that in mind next time I'm there.

Originally Posted by dimitrz

I would be tempted to take a closeup shot from the base/start of the bridge and see how it goes.

Me too...



Unfortunately, I didn't see my camera bag on the bridge when I was taking the shot. Apparently, I'm not paying close attention to the whole image in the viewfinder.

I'll have to play with the RAW file some more. That shot looks a bit flat and dark.

I wish I had gone under the bridge for some pictures. I guess this gives me a few excuses to go back.

Originally Posted by dimitrz

Frankly I love the photo

Cheers

Thank you!

[PhotoNewt]

Originally Posted by JohnBrainard

...Unfortunately, I didn't see my camera bag on the bridge when I was taking the shot. Apparently, I'm not paying close attention to the whole image in the viewfinder...

If I remember correctly, the Canon Rebel viewfinder shows about 95% of the actual image and the field of view is biased towards one side. If I find the link to the Canon technical document I'll post it here.

This can make seeing that camera bag way on the side a bit more difficult before pressing the shutter.

[Aperture Nine]

Hehe always have equipment BEHIND you. My young daughter now know that when I use the camera, then she must position herself BEHIND me. Always. But she doesn't stop talking.

[PhotoNewt]

Originally Posted by Aperture Nine

...But she doesn't stop talking.

Neither does mine!

[JohnBrainard]

I haven't had a chance to take my daughter out yet, but I know she'll talk more in one hour of taking pictures than I've talked in my entire life!

[dimitrz]

Originally Posted by Aperture Nine

Hehe always have equipment BEHIND you. My young daughter now know that when I use the camera, then she must position herself BEHIND me. Always. But she doesn't stop talking.

haha better to have such an enthu helper than none at all

[dimitrz]

JohnBrainard - great work mate

I am no expert in PS so I cant give any tips related to editing

When next you go out how about getting an angle slightly to the keft so that the trail is a bit more visible - just like to see how that works out.

and oh yes - how about asking your daughter to take a couple of shots - lets see how she views the scene - there may be some lessons to be learnt for all of us


Photonewt : didnt realised you are that old ?

[Aperture Nine]

Originally Posted by JohnBrainard

I haven't had a chance to take my daughter out yet, but I know she'll talk more in one hour of taking pictures than I've talked in my entire life!

Hehehe true. And when you stand in an awkward position, perhaps even painful, totally focused on the motive, almost falling THEN she will say: "dad, dad, look at this, now, dad! dad?!"

She actually has a basic toy camera but I think it will take a few years before she'll think in photo composition although she is a fab painter. I'd only wish I started that early. I need experience compared to people that started as teens.

Regarding the bridge. I would try to get the shot from a more uneven angle... stepping to the left fx... or from the other side when the sun is in your back and the mound of dirt is then almost invisible? And I would try to take the shot in the golden hours to add a soft romantic mood to the image.