Composition: Bridge of Lions

[MeAgain]

I'm really struggling with composition. The rule of thirds is always in my head but I'm lacking the ability to see the grid. I have to eyeball it but I'm not so good at it. I love this photo but feel the composition is lacking. Any suggestions on how to improve the crop or composition would be welcome.

This is only my 2nd time posting in here. I hope I did it right this time.



Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS REBEL T1i
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/350 sec
Aperture: 13.0
Focal Length: 55mm
Flash Used: No

[Michael_2010]

You should be able to turn on the 3rd's grid in your view finder and that really helps when you are out in the field sizing up a location.

[MeAgain]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

You should be able to turn on the 3rd's grid in your view finder and that really helps when you are out in the field sizing up a location.

Oh snap, that would be great! I've read my manual cover to cover looking for that option. Looks like I need to go look again.

[Michael_2010]

Maybe I am wrong about that and you can only see the grid in live view. Oh well.......

[MeAgain]

Search of the manual & a quick Google search says no to grid in the viewfinder yes to grid in liveview. liveview eats batteries. As I'm broke I only have 2.

I'm going to sulk now.

[Krusty79]

Don't feel that you HAVE TO follow the rule. It's more like a guide. There are times when it doesn't give you the best composition, as you will develop a feel for that.

I think you have an interesting shot, but it's a little busy and I am not clear if your subject is the lion or the birds. I think if those lampposts weren't there, I would figure that the lion is your foreground interest and the birds are the subject.

[MeAgain]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

Don't feel that you HAVE TO follow the rule. It's more like a guide. There are times when it doesn't give you the best composition, as you will develop a feel for that.

I think you have an interesting shot, but it's a little busy and I am not clear if your subject is the lion or the birds. I think if those lampposts weren't there, I would figure that the lion is your foreground interest and the birds are the subject.

That helps. Thanks. I had not even thought about the subject of this photo. Or any photo honestly. I wanted it to be the lion but I loved the birds being there. I hadn't thought about them being a destraction.

[MeAgain]

Better? Or have I washed out all the character? Too extreme?



Filename: lion2.jpg
Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS REBEL T1i
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/350 sec
Aperture: 13.0
Focal Length: 55mm
Flash Used: No

[benchdog]

I like the first image. Very nice work.

You have a nice eye for composition, trust it!!

One thing that I do if I'm doubting myself some when I'm shooting is backup and shoot a little wider angle shot so I have some to crop.

[Michael_2010]

I think each image could stand on its own for different reasons and different emphasis. Nice shot...