Composition
Thursday, December 17, 2009 The image in the last post was the image I picked on that particular roll of film. The tree on the left bothers me and the bicycle coming through the juggler on the left bothers me as well. Other than those two issues everything else is in it's own space and would be a much more clean image.
This image is another image from the same role. It's got less distraction and no collisions in the background. It's cleaner. But is it as dynamic? Is it any good? I'm not sure at this point and I don't know where it fits in my overall photography. I'm not much of a people person and photographing people is difficult. At the same time, the images I have that lack people lack a liveliness about them that leave me desiring more as I look at them. I think this will just take time and force me to come out of the comfort zones. It's also going to require I get out more and practice, practice, practice.
Jugglers II, Venice Beach, CA, 2009
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Reader Comments (3)
Pardon me, Larry. But none of these images is overall convincing to me. You say one of your big issues is to work more in layers or levels which you did not consider enough until now. Harmonizing foreground and background for sure is one of the elemantary things in photography. You did very well on this in the first image by integrating the two crossing bikers in the back right where they belong. The result is very considerable. But I am missing action! All elements in both of your images are deep-frozen :-) There´s no dynamics allthough in reality there´s certrainly lots of action going on. Use longer shutter times where dynamics shall turn out to be dynamic on the image as well. 1/10 or 1/8 seconds should do. If needed, use a grey filter or even better return later - at sunset. The single biker in the back of the second image is not at all a part ot the composition unless he serves as a dynamic element.
I would also suggest to see and use structures and lines for more depth. Go along with fences, roads, tree lines or similar things, use them as guiding line to the back. I can see your intention of the image very clearly and I do like the idea very much. As an alternative I would suggest to also try a different point of view. For example step behing one of the jugglers (having his back out of focus in the right side foreground of your image) focus on the others face. Be a part of the scene! And thus let the viewer of your images be a part of the scene, too. See what I mean?
Have yourself a few relaxing days around christmas, Larry.
I think I did not emphasize enough that the first image is just wonderful, really! I believe some motion would add to the image but it´s an excellent one just as it is, though!
:-)
I really like this one! you have to show me the rest!!