Does orientation matter? The same image?
Aug 26, 2022 20:40:05 #
dustie wrote:
Please pardon my dense confusion.
I don't understand how the bird is "going out of the picture" in the second view.
I don't understand how the bird is "going out of the picture" in the second view.
I never said that....
I was speaking in general about movement into a picture, not out of it.
Aug 26, 2022 21:33:02 #
Longshadow wrote:
I never said that....
I was speaking in general about movement into a picture, not out of it.
I was speaking in general about movement into a picture, not out of it.
So sorry. The statement showing in your quote reply to me is not the same as my statement just above yours in the thread, at the bottom of page 1.
I believe I was editing my initial statement to more clearly explain my confusion at the same time you were replying to my initial, shorter comment.
Aug 26, 2022 21:40:55 #
dustie wrote:
So sorry. The statement showing in your quote reply to me is not the same as my statement just above yours in the thread, at the bottom of page 1.
I believe I was editing my initial statement to more clearly explain my confusion at the same time you were replying to my initial, shorter comment.
I believe I was editing my initial statement to more clearly explain my confusion at the same time you were replying to my initial, shorter comment.
"Overlap" happens.
This is not the first time I've seen it happen or been a victim of it.
Aug 26, 2022 23:42:29 #
clickety wrote:
Thank you for your responses. I also sense a difference and am trying to understand if possibly it’s another tool in in post processing?
I think it matters that we see a critter in action, who is likely to move further into the frame momentarily. Thus left or right hardly matters.
OTOH with a static composition such as architecture, still life, landscape, etc etc, there can be a feeling of imbalance when theres much more content in the right half vs the left, at least for cultures that read left to right.
Aug 26, 2022 23:49:17 #
fredfinke
Loc: Denver
The image on the left IMMEDIATELY draws your attention to the bird! It takes a while to get there with the subject on the right. I’ve done a lot of theatrical direction and the prime location in blocking is down-right which for the audience is to the left, closest to the audience. If you want a certain line or action highlighted that’s where you put it! Same holds for a photograph.
Aug 27, 2022 03:28:28 #
fredfinke wrote:
The image on the left IMMEDIATELY draws your attention to the bird! It takes a while to get there with the subject on the right. I’ve done a lot of theatrical direction and the prime location in blocking is down-right which for the audience is to the left, closest to the audience. If you want a certain line or action highlighted that’s where you put it! Same holds for a photograph.
Excellent analogy !!! OTOH, drawing our attention to "up-left" could be analagous to switching to a minor cord ... it sets up tension and needs resolution. The pair of left and right bird pix is like major versus minor chords. Both have a role in the whole (antithesis of a bagel). Would you prefer that your imagery to be a comfort zone for the viewer, or do you want it to be more edgey ?
.
Personally, Im not in the comfort biz.
(Download)
I prefer the unresolved ...
(Download)
... and even the edgey.
(Download)
Aug 27, 2022 05:20:59 #
Having considered the various suggestions I've settled on the theory that for most of us the point of entry is the bottom centre. That will be especially true if the viewing involves movement of the eye from a keyboard or mouse to a screen at eye level in front of the viewer. However, from that point onward the movement of the eye within the picture can be determined by various variables such as overall composition, leading lines etc but our attention can also be drawn by brightness, vividness, apparent subjects of interest and apparent centres of activity.
The overall composition may not support that particular entry point (bottom centre) in which case the other factors become the main determinants. That is where the direction of out reading and writing come into play, but it's important to realise that there's no right or wrong direction. Compositions can be easy or challenging, relaxing or stressful, restful or dynamic - it's all a matter of intent (and to what extent a particular choice is appropriate or effective in supporting that intent). Within that context, if we read and write from left to right, that will be the more natural direction of movement, but the choice will be influenced by whether we want the viewing to be comfortable or provocative.
In the first of your pics it seems to me that the gull has his back to us whereas in the second his direction of movement seems more relevant - he's opposing the flow so it must be more purposeful. And it may be subconscious but to my eye the second image seems more vivid.
The overall composition may not support that particular entry point (bottom centre) in which case the other factors become the main determinants. That is where the direction of out reading and writing come into play, but it's important to realise that there's no right or wrong direction. Compositions can be easy or challenging, relaxing or stressful, restful or dynamic - it's all a matter of intent (and to what extent a particular choice is appropriate or effective in supporting that intent). Within that context, if we read and write from left to right, that will be the more natural direction of movement, but the choice will be influenced by whether we want the viewing to be comfortable or provocative.
In the first of your pics it seems to me that the gull has his back to us whereas in the second his direction of movement seems more relevant - he's opposing the flow so it must be more purposeful. And it may be subconscious but to my eye the second image seems more vivid.
Aug 27, 2022 05:22:13 #
Makes no odds to me. The bird is looking 'into' the picture whatever one you view.
Aug 27, 2022 05:55:28 #
Aug 27, 2022 05:56:56 #
clickety wrote:
There have been discussions about whether we see from left to right or from right to left. Here is an image which after cropping I simply flipped from left to right, I sense it has changed. Do you see the difference and which do you prefer and why. Bonus points if you can tell me which was the original orientation?
Nope.
Aug 27, 2022 06:25:45 #
canonuser25
Loc: Cardiff (Wales NOT England)
Much prefer the top image. In the second the bird looks (to me) off balnace whereas in the first it appears on the lookout for a meal. Also water seems to flow more naturally. All in the perception
Aug 27, 2022 06:42:36 #
Aug 27, 2022 07:00:42 #
If you look at one version for a while and then flip it, the image often appears disorienting at first. Until you get used to the flipped version.
In the context of multiple images (such as a photo compilation or portfolio), variation is key.
In the context of multiple images (such as a photo compilation or portfolio), variation is key.
Aug 27, 2022 07:09:40 #
Aug 27, 2022 07:30:36 #
Interesting discussion! I agree with Longshadow in that I seem to notice the bird more, and did not even consider water direction. With that in mind I find the first image more pleasing. Thank you for bringing up an interesting subject!
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