I bathe naked

[Mike Burnett]

But I'm fully clothed when I take pictures of my bath tub... most of the time.

This is an exercise that some of you may have seen. I've recently started using it, and it's helping. Try it out, and post your results in my Think Before You Shoot! challenge.

As always, ENJOY!

[Silverz]

nice idea, i could use something like that myself.

[abchip]

Great idea!!! I'll be using this technique in the future.

[pjflan7]

I am lost here...what does this technique do that standardized cropping would not do? I am missing something in translation

[paul.holden]

I think the idea is to try to challenge yourself with compostion without relying on post cropping techniques.

[Mike Burnett]

Originally Posted by pjflan7

I am lost here...what does this technique do that standardized cropping would not do? I am missing something in translation

pjflan, If you have to crop, why did you include that unwanted space in the first place??? This exercise is designed to help you see an image before you shoot. If you want snapshots, the trial and error approach works. If you want to make awesome photographs (also known as "art" depending on what social circle you are in..), you need to click the shutter release with intent; you need to know what your image will look like BEFORE you record it on your medium. The card helps you visualize things in a way that enables you to make effective photographs.

Obviously this won't help with exposure settings, but IT WILL improve the composition of your pictures, whether they are art or snapshots!

I challenge you to try it, and post your results in my Think Before You Shoot! challenge.

Hope this helps!

[SoxAddict]

Cool, I like this idea! It's a good exercise in thinking. I'm going to try this out....