folkus

Hi Everyone . This is my first post, but I have been enjoying the Forum for about 2 years. Yes, I am a little slow. I took a photo of one of my peonies in the front yard and eventually figured that it might look good among some my white plates and pitchers in the kitchen. My dilemma is how to determine what cropping choices would work well for this photo. I know that it depends on what looks good to me, but much like the Rule of Thirds, there may be some guidelines that could steer me to make more informed decisions about cropping in general. How would you best like to see it presented and more importantly for my photographic growth - why. Thanks for your consideration and comments. (ISO 200, 90mm lens, f 4.8, 1/25 sec - hand held and not a wise idea, sorry)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Square crop? I'd get rid of the panel on the right, and a bit on the left, it's distracting to me.

pdsdville Loc: Midlothian, Tx

I agree, square crop taking in only the section with the flowers.

folkus

Thank you for comments. I appreciate the extra eyes on it a lot.

folkus

Hi Longshadow and pdsdville, I worried that the square crop made it look too formal and structured. But that still may be the best that can be squeezed from it. Thanks, again.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

I agree.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Welcome to the party, folkus, even if you are fashionably late :)

Your little vignette of all-white with the stunning splash of pink is a truly wonderful idea. The placement of the elements in the square window are done in a really pleasing way. For what you showed here, square is the only way to go IMO.

However, it could also be very interesting to see a much wider view where the section with flower takes up just a quarter or so of your frame. I'd like to see the extension of the shelf above and the one on the right, rather than have them cut off.

You could arrange less formal/structured by tipping some plates sideways, for example, or having fewer items in a section.

I'd love to see you do a series with many viewpoints, and post for comparison and discussion. Would be a fascinating discussion of still life and formal vs informal, I think. I don't do still life but those who do might have some terrific ideas.

Below is link to a share thread with still life shots that could give you some inspiration. You could also click on the user name of anyone in that thread whose image inspired you, and view more of the work on UHH:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-384576-1.html

Herbie1924 Loc: Woodbury, MN

Since white dominates the pic, frame it using the side panels (right side same panel width as left side), bottom shelf and PS (lower) the top shelf a little forming a rectangle pic.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

I will dissent from the prevailing opinion and say I really like your composition. Including just a bit of the other shelves shows me this flower is a solitary splash of color, and that it stands alone as a living thing in a sterile bunch of shelves. Sure, you could crop to the box it's in alone, but for me that just says something different.

folkus

Thanks so much for your comments, observations, perspectives, and preferences. I have been dwelling on the shot and your comments and wondered where the lines between subject, context, and distraction come into play with composition challenges. Do any of you fine folks know of any great references like those for exposure (Perfect Exposure by Michael Freeman or The Optimum Digital Exposure by Bob DiNatale) that would address my cropping issues (...they just seem to keep cropping up)? Thanks again for all of your great input.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Rather than think of "crop," think of composition and the story you want to tell - and there are a gazillion articles and books with those key words :)

Here's a recent article I found to be wonderful:

http://photographylife.com/whats-important-in-a-photograph-and-what-isnt

Sometimes you can look at your subject, then zoom back (or step back) 'til the frame has just what you want in it to enhance the story and mood. That's when you stop (or crop when you can't avoid certain elements).

folkus

Thanks, Linda. I was born in a snowbank in Bangor...

folkus

Linda - Great suggestion re refocusing my mindset. Loved the website.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I had never heard "sharp at 100% " 'til I joined UHH. Have always been more interested in the creative and emotional side of photography than the ultra-technical. So that article really spoke to me.


Too funny. I'm happy to say I was born in a hospital in Lincoln

folkus

I have taken some of your great advice and wanted to share the results. Thanks for all of your guidance.

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