Skyscrapper Composition and Perspective

[gjmata]

Hi, everybody!

My questions on this picture are:

1. Is the composition poor, fair, good? Why?

2. Is the perspective adequate?

Any other comments would be welcome, of course.

Some EXIF data:

Camera make : Canon
Camera model : Canon PowerShot SX110 IS
Image time stamp : 2010:03:17 21:04:31
Exposure time : 1/800 s
Aperture : F4.5
Exposure bias : 0
Flash : No, compulsory
Focal length : 11.5 mm
ISO speed : 100

Thanks in advance,

Gustavo J. Mata

[gjmata]

I made a mistake when rescaling the picture. This one should have the right size.

Sorry...

[Krusty79]

Welcome to DPS. I think your shot is okay. It strikes me as more of a snapshot instead of a carefully thought-out composition, though. So, I don't find anything "wrong" with it, but I don't find anything particularly interesting about it either.

Usually, people going for more of an artistic effect will shoot from a unique angle, or zoom in on part of the building for more of an abstract shot. It usually helps to include the ground to provide a sense of scale.

I would think about what aspect of the building you find the most interesting and think about which composition/angle that will emphasize that quality. Shooting closer to the golden hours will avoid the harsh midday light.

[mwatson]

I’m with Krusty. The building is floating and lacking scale. It is a beautiful building (The Chicago Tribune, right?) and you were right to take a picture of it.

To add to what Krusty said:
The person that got me into photography stated that almost everyone has a camera and there are a million pictures out there of the same thing. It is our job to introduce the same picture with a fresh new perspective.

In your case, the Chicago Tribune has been photographed thousands of times, probably from the same vantage point. If you live in Chicago, try it again and think of the most obscure place or angle to shoot it from and give it a try.

Nonetheless, your photo is a good start and has good detail to the building.

[gjmata]

It is the Chicago Tribune and it is indeed a snapshot, one of many taken while hurriedly walking down Michigan Avenue.

Unfortunately I don´t live in Chicago, so it is unlikely that I will photograph this particular building in the near future.

I see a need to deepen my understanding of what a photographic subject is.

Thanks!

[mwatson]

It may be that I am relatively new to photography but I believe that every subject is a photographic subject, Just depends on how you shoot it. It doesn’t have to be this beautiful sunset or unique depiction of a building. It can be a parking lot or the details of a desk. Just depends on how you shoot it is all.

What I have been told and am continually told is find a unique way to take a common picture and your skills will grow every day.

[gjmata]

"find a unique way to take a common picture and your skills will grow every day..."

Thanks, this is very concrete and powerful advice.

[Krusty79]

To add to mwatson's comment, I would try to avoid the knee-jerk reaction of saying, "That would be a cool picture" and pulling out your camera and taking the shot at eye level. I would encourage you to think about the best angle to approach your subject while minimizing any distractions. Also, I would avoid the temptation to shoot everything at eye level. Many times, shooting from a lower perspective gives better results. Conversey, there are even guys who tie their cameras to balloons and kites for unique aerial perspectives. So, if you want your shots to stand out, you have to do something different from the masses.

[gjmata]

Thanks Krusty, I'll keep this in mind!