Architectural heritage and sliver

[S_Sanyal]

Gear: Canon EOS 500D with Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 lens
Exposure 1/3s
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 14 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV

Shot handheld.

Could someone please tell me how to improve composition in the picture, i wanted to keep the whole of the arch in the foreground but in doing that the light sliver starts close to the centre, can this work without the rule of thirds?

Any other feedback is most welcome.

Feel free to edit and illustrate too Thanks in advance.

[NeonSD]

Overall I like everything about the shot. Composition-wise if you're looking to emphasis the light ray flowing from the window then, you could definitely cut away at some of the archway. Also, doing so still leaves some the essence of the archway intact still. I've attached kind of what my eye mainly focused on while viewing the image. But wandering around after being drawn in by the light ray I liked everything I saw.

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks NeonSD.

I like your crop which brings the light source closer to the third from the centre(as in OP), though as you rightly mention, it crops the archway..

[S_Sanyal]

You gotta be kidding me!

where have the strong, helpful, harsh, flattering opinions gone. This was a tough one, needed some more insight into the output.camaaaaawn...!

[dlambert]

Very cool shot. About the only thing that I'd be tempted to tweak would be lens distortion. Due to the wide angle, there are some lines that seem like they should be vertical that are very definitely not.

[S_Sanyal]

Good point Dlambert, i'll have a go at straightening this out. Thanks for your feedback

[EOBeav]

I like the filtered light effect. I concur with the lens distortion comment. Lightroom can easily straighten that up, if you use that software. Other than that, I would definitely crop down to just over the top of the window archway, and on the left side just to the left of that pole going across. That would leave the ray of light as a leading line cutting diagonally across the picture and leading to the illuminated spot on the right.

You handheld this at 1/3 s.? Does that 14mm have IS? I just took a look at the largest version on your Flickr page, and it does appear to be a little soft.

Just some general thoughts. You have some very interesting architecture to work with. Compositionally, I would think about details rather than trying to get all of it into one shot. Just a thought.

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks EOBeav, I will try your suggestions about the crop, I do use lightroom and CS4, so its shouldnt be a problem. I'll post an edit soon.

Your suggestion about architectural detail is well received I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for viewing the flickr pictures and appreciating, I am an architect by profession, so i really enjoy shooting buildings

Ya this was handheld. I was passing by and the light was changing every second. So the picture was made with a deep breath 14 mm doesn't have IS, though it has a largish max. aperture of f/2.8. I can imagine why the image is soft. I didnt want to increase ISO as the filtered effect would have had too much noise at anything higher than that.

[EOBeav]

If you don't have your tripod with you and don't want to miss a great shot, don't be afraid to get creative. Pull up a chair, a table, or anything that will support your camera and hold it still for a few seconds. Use your timer to keep the camera really still, and shoot away. I've even used my own backpack as a support in times like that.

[S_Sanyal]

Wow! Noted, thanks.

I leaned my body in this instance on a column for support, but supporting the camera may have been a better idea..