Too much space?

[jasony8]

What do you guys think of the composition of this photo? Do you think that the shadow adds something to the photo, or is there just too much blank space/wall?



Exif Data:
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 32 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Thanks for looking !

[sybren]

I think the shadow indeed adds something, but you could crop a bit off the right. I think that the photo is quite underexposed, though, there is hardly any detail in the plant or the pot. To make the shadow even more obvious I would turn off the tungsten light that comes in from the top. That would also make the wall whiter, and thus create more contrast with the flowers.

[Athas_orm]

Hi Jasony

I think theres slightly too much space but overall I think the shot works.

A slight crop to the right may help a bit. The shadow isn't really strong enough to be a major compositional element.

I think maybe that this is underexposed a touch. The detail on the table and flower may be losing something to shadow, and their probably more important than the wall.

Nice shot.

Wes

[henson]

I believe so. More color and maybe a bigger object. Good luck!

[LoveDSLR]

I like to give emphasis to the four elements (the light, subject's color & details, the shadow and the wall texture) in that image. The example here included an increase in exposure and shadow's contrast.

The crop is based on Golden Mean.

BTW, there are three parts in your subject and major shadow areas. The magic number three makes an image more interesting.

[jasony8]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

I like to give emphasis to the four elements (the light, subject's color & details, the shadow and the wall texture) in that image. The example here included an increase in exposure and shadow's contrast.

The crop is based on Golden Mean.

BTW, there are three parts in your subject and major shadow areas. The magic number three makes an image more interesting.[/IMG]

Thanks for the great tips and explanations!

[jasony8]

Originally Posted by sybren

I think the shadow indeed adds something, but you could crop a bit off the right. I think that the photo is quite underexposed, though, there is hardly any detail in the plant or the pot. To make the shadow even more obvious I would turn off the tungsten light that comes in from the top. That would also make the wall whiter, and thus create more contrast with the flowers.

Thanks for the advice! I think what you refer to is very similar to LoveDSLR

[LeeR]

First, you get full credit for thinking about what you were doing ahead of time instead of just snapping the shutter at the first thing that grabbed your attention. That being said, I am not put off at all by the space to the right of the flowers. If other things had been different, the space would have made perfect sense (golden mean or no.) What detracts from what you were attempting here is A) the fact that the shadows are rather diffused, and B) the heavy wall texture. Because of these two things the shadow gets lost and your reason for extending the image to the right goes with it. Do this same image with a sharper light source and a smooth wall and you would have had a winner.

[jasony8]

Originally Posted by LeeR

First, you get full credit for thinking about what you were doing ahead of time instead of just snapping the shutter at the first thing that grabbed your attention. That being said, I am not put off at all by the space to the right of the flowers. If other things had been different, the space would have made perfect sense (golden mean or no.) What detracts from what you were attempting here is A) the fact that the shadows are rather diffused, and B) the heavy wall texture. Because of these two things the shadow gets lost and your reason for extending the image to the right goes with it. Do this same image with a sharper light source and a smooth wall and you would have had a winner.

I keep these important points in mind, when I get a chance to re-shot a similar image!

Thank you so much!