bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

Linda, I agree with much of what you said here. In a lot of my photography it takes the entire photograph to create the subject. Nothing need be particularly stronger than any other element.

I also think that the mood a photo creates can easily become the subject as much as any object in the photo.

Like you I take pictures to please myself. I don't mean that arrogantly but that seeems like the only way it coudl be for me.

I love your photos as well. Keep it up

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Well, you forced me to drop my iPad and move to the computer and its keyboard/larger monitor. Good going...

When I judge a competition, the most damning question I can ask myself is, "What does the photographer want me to look at?" I'm not seeking a "subject," per se, but a point of interest, a starting point for seeing the visual plan of the image. Using this rule, I judge the "shareworthiness" of my own images by trying to figure out if an outsider would understand why I took the photo I took. For example, here are two images. The first, I think, passes the test even though it doesn't have a specific subject. The second fails the test because it lacks a context. In the first, you just enjoy the image. In the second, if you weren't there, you won't understand what you're seeing. In the first image, the entire scene is a "point of interest." In the second, you guessed it, you're left wondering what you're supposed to concentrate on. It's not a matter of "subject"; it's a matter of "point of interest." Does that make sense?

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wanderingbear Loc: San Diego

All distinctive and enjoyable.

Bear

freddusel Loc: Nashville

I believe that every part of an image must contribute to the offering. I have coined a word. We all have heard the word "cacophony" which is a combination of the Greek words meaning "bad", "inharmonious" or "unorganized" and "sound." My word is cacophoty meaning bad or disorganized light which is what the world presents to us every moment of every waking hour. My photography is an attempt to organize or impose my individual sense of order on light by selecting and adjusting the numerous controls on cameras, lenses and positions to eliminate those elements that detract from harmonious organization of visual elements. The exercise is contemplative and the product, a carbon transfer print, is not an attempt to manipulate but an offering of my sense of order and beauty.
Fred

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

We are on the same page. I love the description of you use of "seeing the visual plan of the image." I usaully use some description like the "graphiical layout" out but yours is much better. With that idea in mind I practice taking pictures where the "visual plan" is more important that anythng else. I dn't keep those practice hots much but I enjoy making sure I understand the "visual plan" it is built on.

Thanks for your words of wisdom.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

church and cemetery

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

With a pretty scene like the number 3 example which has some good composition elements like the leading lines formed by the mountain ranges coming in on left and right sides centering on the beautiful colored sky and the tiny mountain top center, but, lacks a STRONG clear subject, using lighting to create and convey a mood which doesn't exist in the flat light that the photo was taken in often improves the visual appeal of a photo. In this case darkening and bringing out color in the skies and then adding sunsets and dodge and burn create contrast that didn't exist. The light emphasizes the red flowers in center foreground making the viewer subtly aware of the red flowers throughout the field. The sky lighting gives the eye more of a focus on the center small mountain and of course the sky. I am really interested to learn from this post as composition is something I want to improve in my own photos which are mostly landscapes and travel photos..
I've taken the liberty of providing a visual example of some of the techniques I often use to increase visual appeal.

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bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

Different pictures for different purposs.

At this point both art and photography are both highly developed and very sophisticated artforms. With that there is no surprise that very little of it is really new. Today it's some sort of hybrid, fusion of styles or access to new technology that seems ot make a difference but in truth we are all still phtographing kittens' playing with knitting balls.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Ditto! I share what I have experienced in my travel in the hopes that: 1) someone else may see something that would guide them that direction for their own travels; or 2) those that don't travel might enjoy 'riding' along with me.

I would offer my thought that landscape is one of the hardest catagories in which to build a subject, since the 'subject' is often the composition of shapes and light.

BTW--lovely examples shared, Linda!

jsharp Loc: Ballwin MO.

I like both 2 and 3.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

What's wrong with kittens? They're insanely cute!

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

Gene,

I love this sort of thing. Like you I don't specialize in it but I am definitley attracted to abstract art and photography. It intrigues me how a photograh can be very pleasing with absolutely no context other than it's pure visual appeal.

1,2 and 5 are very nice.

Herbie1924 Loc: Woodbury, MN

#1 Is the strongest pic + food storage section adds to interest value.
#2 Top area needs to be cropped off to improve composition.
#3 Devoid of center of interest & would not make it in a club, council or Int'l, exhibition.
As for - titles, they are for record use only & not as part of pic evaluation - except in some cases in PJ competitions.

repleo Loc: Boston

Great subject Sharpshooter, and very timely. I am taking an Adult Ed course on composition at the moment and have been dwelling on this very topic a lot lately. I am finding this string very informative. I will contribute to the topic when my views are sufficiently developed - hopefully in the next five or ten years.

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

[quote=dpullum]

I've read this article. I read it last year at your suggestion. It stays on my computer. It is very in depth. Can't recommend it enough.