What’s Your Preference?

ctcook · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2011, 11:02 PM

I was debating which is the primary subject, the sunset or the trees. What do you think should be the main subject?

Any critique is welcome

EXIF:

NIKON D40
f/3.5
1/200 sec.
ISO-200
Focal Length 18mm
Metering: Center Weighted
Flash: No Flash
Manual Mode

gapmullen@optonline.net · #2 (**permalink**) 01-21-2011, 11:45 PM

I love the way you display the sun going down behind the trees. The trees do add to the total photo, but it would be very good photo with out them. Nice job!

ctcook · #3 (**permalink**) 01-22-2011, 12:20 AM

Thanks,

Here are the rest of the set. Some without the trees

EOBeav · #4 (**permalink**) 01-22-2011, 03:22 AM

Don't confuse "subject" with "object". This is a nice photo. Most sunset/sunrise photos need something else in the photo to add some dimension and interest. If you took a shot of just the sunset without the trees, you'd be missing something.

ctcook · #5 (**permalink**) 01-22-2011, 03:26 AM

Dimension is the reason I included the trees in the image. Perhaps, it's just me but I find that my eyes keep bouncing back and forth between the sunset and the trees. I can't seem to focus on one thing.

EOBeav · #6 (**permalink**) 01-22-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctcook

Dimension is the reason I included the trees in the image. Perhaps, it's just me but I find that my eyes keep bouncing back and forth between the sunset and the trees. I can't seem to focus on one thing.

We tend to do that with our own photos more than somebody else would. That's why critique sections are so helpful. :-)

Really, much of landscape photography is about opportunity, and you really seized it here. The trees are a nice silhouette. I'd be proud to have this one in my portfolio.

LoveDSLR · #7 (**permalink**) 01-22-2011, 05:41 PM

Jim Zuckerman suggested that we should spend our time looking for foregrounds, because backgrounds are easy to find.

His classic landscape technique is having a strong foreground and an interesting background. Looks like you have an interesting background (sunset) but the foreground (trees) isn't dominant enough, thus your eyes keep bouncing back and forth between the sunset and the trees.

ctcook · #8 (**permalink**) 01-22-2011, 05:59 PM

EObeav - Thank you so much for your comments.

LoveDSLR - I can see what you mean. Maybe if the trees were more prominant they could be the main focus of the image. I'll have to see if I can reshoot.

BexJarratt · #9 (**permalink**) 01-22-2011, 09:14 PM

I think the reason the sun seems to be competing with the trees for attention is because the sun is much closer to the centre of the image. I think it would appear more balanced and the eye wander more freely if you cropped some of the lighter area to the left and placed the sun/ brightest part of the sunset on the left hand thirds line. I would keep the same proportions and the horizon on the bottom thirds line.

I don't think however that this image as it is now would feel particularly awkward to look at, I think it's only really noticeable because you have specifically asked about this matter.