Composition question (Page 4): :sm24: :sm24: Especially judges. I have yet to figure them out. And yes I have won top awards and am baffled as to specifically why.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Strodav wrote:

Unless you are a professional selling photos to make a living, the most important thing is that you like your images. To hell with everyone else, especially judges who almost always have their own biases. Take photos you like, and if someone else likes them, great. If not, don't worry about it. Remember, there is an exception to every "rule" of composition, which tells you there are no rules.

Especially judges.
I have yet to figure them out.
And yes I have won top awards and am baffled as to specifically why.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

If it feels right to you, do it.

mindzye Loc: WV

Linda From Maine wrote:

For me this particular photo shouldn't be cropped.... (show quote)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Some rules are nothing but old habits that people are afraid to change.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

murphle wrote:

I’ve been taught to pay attention to leading lines... (show quote)

That's his rule - bringing his prejudices to judging.

anotherview Loc: California

My analysis: The stem and the corner coming together presents a distraction owing to the geometric shapes produced thereby.

Within the frame, obvious geometric shapes in general will distract the eye from the main subject. Human perception operates this way.

The judge merely repeated the rule without a rationale for it.

In my shooting, I compose leading lines in the larger context of the other elements within the frame. This approach reflects the importance of effective image composition.

murphle wrote:

I’ve been taught to pay attention to leading lines... (show quote)

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

murphle wrote:

Ah.... So it's ok to come from the quadrant, but not have a line coming from the corner. I can't use the one from the show because a) it's not mine and b) for some reason, it won't let me retrieve the full image, just a poorly cropped version for the virtual show....

I will use a pic of mine as an example. Please if you could recommend a crop that would be appropriate so I understand and stop sending in stuff from the corner:) Thank you all for your patience and help.

Yeah, it just doesn’t look "right". Perhaps because a corner is an artificial construct in the composition and the diagonal line draws the eye to that instead of the intended subject.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

MrBob wrote:

Rules, rules and more rules... When you are in Lightroom or photoshop do you REALLY think about rules ? I move sliders, crop and fiddle faddle until it seems RIGHT in my eyes; isn't that whats its all about.

👍👍👍

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

murphle wrote:

Ah.... So it's ok to come from the quadrant, but not have a line coming from the corner. I can't use the one from the show because a) it's not mine and b) for some reason, it won't let me retrieve the full image, just a poorly cropped version for the virtual show....

I will use a pic of mine as an example. Please if you could recommend a crop that would be appropriate so I understand and stop sending in stuff from the corner:) Thank you all for your patience and help.

In keeping your original aspect ratio, this is my suggestion. It does lose some things, but to me this seems more balanced and impactful. For me the main point of interest in this image is the bird's head and its reflection. The vertical broken reed on the right takes too much attention, and all the empty space on the right does nothing. I decided to keep the whole bird, but not the whole reflection, as the body reflection is weak. My two cents

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I wouldn't change a thing. The arrangement of the rippled water and reed sticks make the entire photo enticing.

JayRay Loc: Missouri

murphle wrote:

I’ve been taught to pay attention to leading lines... (show quote)

Ha! Ha! Funny judge's "rules"! I had the privilege of attending an in the field photography workshop with a highly respected and nationally known professional landscape photographer who said you want a leading line to come from a corner when your composition allows!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

JayRay wrote:

Ha! Ha! Funny judge's "rules"! I had the privilege of attending an in the field photography workshop with a highly respected and nationally known professional landscape photographer who said you want a leading line to come from a corner when your composition allows!

Not that it matters, but that is my preference as well, if a diagonal line is going to exit, make through a corner of the frame.

Abo

CHG_CANON wrote:

Not that it matters, but that is my preference as well, if a diagonal line is going to exit, make through a corner of the frame.

Leading to Darth Vader Inc.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There are no rules for good photographs, great photographs have just one: the camera used was better than yours.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Judges' personal opinion. There are not any rules, unless you want them to be????