Creating Visual Tension: This week's flickr group theme: tension. One definition: "Visual tension is a compositional technique where the elements within the frame are arranged in such...

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

This week's flickr group theme: tension. One definition:

"Visual tension is a compositional technique where the elements within the frame are arranged in such a way as to create a sense of unease, anticipation, or emotional resonance. This challenges the viewer's expectations or perceptions" From here.

Learned there are many ways to accomplish - and many ways to fail, ha!

Your assessments of the following would be appreciated!

Sun by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

Which way? by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

Disorientation by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

Tangled by Linda Shorey, on Flickr
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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

They work!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Longshadow wrote:

They work!

Thanks very much, Bill.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

#1 seems to fit the bill. The busier ones not so much.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

R.G. wrote:

#1 seems to fit the bill. The busier ones not so much.

Thanks, R.G.

#2 is supposed to feel unbalanced, but maybe I used the negative space too well

Also unresolved due to no start or end to the fire escape stairs. How about the one at this link? https://flic.kr/p/2pBmV4f

More successful, or not? Am thinking disorienting as to what's real, what's reflection.

#3 is supposed to be an example of "complexity" where there is no starting point or path through the elements. How does it compare against this older one: https://flic.kr/p/2p5Jx5t

If you have any thoughts on these specific points, I'd appreciate your input.

One last request: if you were to further crop the below in search of best way to express visual tension, how would you crop? Or is it a hopeless task?

(Download)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Linda From Maine wrote:

Thanks, R.G. br br #2 is supposed to feel unbalan... (show quote)

I think your original #2 would work well with the staircase on its own entering at the mid-top and exiting at the mid-right. The windows and bricks keep the eye too busy to notice the imbalance.

#3 is so busy it looks like an intentional pattern. I think what you're looking for is stark, deliberate composition no-nos. Something like minimalist deliberate imbalance would be one obvious way to achieve that.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

R.G. wrote:

I think your original #2 would work well with the staircase on its own entering at the mid-top and exiting at the mid-right. The windows and bricks keep the eye too busy to notice the imbalance.

#3 is so busy it looks like an intentional pattern. I think what you're looking for is stark, deliberate composition no-nos. Something like minimalist deliberate imbalance would be one obvious way to achieve that.

Many thanks for your input, R.G.!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

All are great photos, any suggestions below are nitpicking trivial comments. [Except #1 comment}

#1 The left half has a daylight-dark message, the right half adds nothing to the statement.

#2, I agree to cropping but not as was done in the crop image. Too much bottom, crop at 7 blocks below the window. This is a cause/consequence... action/reaction... type of photo... light and shadow. Great image.

#3 The Chaotic world of wires, it is the world we live in. Of course, I like this one since I did a similar one at the TBCClub. While the image was not liked by the audience, coupled with the title it got high points from the Judges.

#4 is the stuff nightmares are made of. Framed with a black matte, this one is a quiet foreboding image.
A WOW

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

dpullum wrote:

All are great photos, any suggestions below are ni... (show quote)

Your detailed feedback is much appreciated, Don!

I very much like your crop of #2. Can't tell you how many different crops I've tried, both of this shot and a couple of other fire escape views. Not sure when last time was I found so many stories in the same original photo

To keep us all confused I cropped #4 and the newest shows in opening post because I replaced in flickr. Note to self: stop using flickr links for UHH!!

If you have a little more time, please see what I posted to Black and White Forum this a.m.

I tried your suggestion for the sun shot and then changed to the below. The other is, I believe, your crop suggestion.

Thanks again!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

👍🤩👍

NikonGal Loc: Central Oregon

I think you hit them all right on the head. Visual tension is a very interesting theme.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

NikonGal wrote:

I think you hit them all right on the head. Visual tension is a very interesting theme.

Thanks so much, Bev. If you have experience, please tell me more! A pm with examples, or public - whichever you desire. With this theme, I dove into the deep end without a life jacket

lnl Loc: SWFL

You sure have some great comments from UHHers, Linda. I’m certainly not in their league but commenting nonetheless. I like #3 for the title and image, both the wires and lights. it is disorienting me enough to fit the topic.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

lnl wrote:

You sure have some great comments from UHHers, Linda. I’m certainly not in their league but commenting nonetheless. I like #3 for the title and image, both the wires and lights. it is disorienting me enough to fit the topic.

Your comments are always thoughtful and interesting, Ellen!

I put another shot in Black and White Forum here. I didn't explain what I was going for, so the replies are quite enlightening

I was reminded of two techniques for creating visual tension that I sometimes find more annoying than engaging: Dutch Angle and odd cropping, especially with people.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Linda, I love shots like these: Normal things at an abstract level, emphasizing the beauty of their structure 🥇🥇🥇🥇