Composition question (Page 2): My 2 cents! Nice images! I prefer the second shot but cropped a little bit. Using a grid of thirds, the main flowers are in the "right" position. The...

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

UTMike wrote:

Which one of these is your choice? If you have the time, I would appreciate your reasons.
I think that downloads show the shot the best.

My 2 cents! Nice images! I prefer the second shot but cropped a little bit. Using a grid of thirds, the main flowers are in the "right" position. The first image is too tight while the second shows too much, in my opinion. There's context with the branches in the back which also act as "leading lines." I took the liberty of a screen capture example to illustrate.

Be well! Ed

(Download)

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

elee950021 wrote:

My 2 cents! Nice images! I prefer the second shot but cropped a little bit. Using a grid of thirds, the main flowers are in the "right" position. The first image is too tight while the second shows too much, in my opinion. There's context with the branches in the back which also act as "leading lines." I took the liberty of a screen capture example to illustrate.

Be well! Ed

Thanks for taking the time, Ed.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

UTMike wrote:

Which one of these is your choice? If you have the time, I would appreciate your reasons.

I think that downloads show the shot the best.

Hi, Mick,
I much prefer#1, but would prefer it weren’t quite so tightly cramped, and if you would try some tilts to more effectively use a diagonal composition.
Dave

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

It's a wonderfully sharp picture to start with. I like the revision. Changing the angle of the flower makes all the difference. Since my eyes normally track from left to right the image leads me right into the open blooms

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I like the first one better. To me, the interesting part of this image is the shape of the flower stalk itself, and it doesn't need context to do that. The second adds context, but doesn't add to the focal information.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

#2 - the stem gives it dimension and shows a source of anchor, not something just floating around in space.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

UTMike wrote:

Which one of these is your choice? If you have the time, I would appreciate your reasons.

I think that downloads show the shot the best.

I think that the first one is the more impactful composition. R.G. makes a good point about the background being "content". I can agree with that, except that it is not particularly engaging. For that reason it is a bit of a distraction for me. Additionally, the background and the blossoms are very distinct. One does not lead into the other and thus it almost looks like two photos split halfway up the frame.

I also like the revision that was make. Creating that diagonal makes the photo more dynamic.
Erich

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Both are very nice, Mike. However, my preference is #2. It is a more comfortable shot. I like the background and the space around the flower. It has a nice feel!

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

By this time, the image has been recomposed a few times so it's hard to know which version people are referring to. But, of the original two images, I like #2 because, as was said earlier, it provides more context, which allows me to let my imagination work a little bit and I come away seeing the subject as the lead vessel in a little convoy.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

jburlinson wrote:

By this time, the image has been recomposed a few times so it's hard to know which version people are referring to. But, of the original two images, I like #2 because, as was said earlier, it provides more context, which allows me to let my imagination work a little bit and I come away seeing the subject as the lead vessel in a little convoy.

Thanks, it has become obvious that there are two schools of thought on these versions. One represented by your comment (and my wife's opinion) and another that I tend toward focusing closely on the flower itself with little regard to the background.

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

Great shot, Mike!

Of the two, I'd go with the 1st one.

However, I think the ideal is somewhere in between. The yellowish dots at the top in the 2nd shot are distracting, and the darkness at the top in the 1st shot is better (toned lighter just a bit if possible). The space at the left in the 2nd shot is much more pleasing to my eye. And cropping out the distraction at the bottom as in the 1st shot is also better in my opinion.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

KTJohnson wrote:

Great shot, Mike!

Of the two, I'd go with the 1st one.

However, I think the ideal is somewhere in between. The yellowish dots at the top in the 2nd shot are distracting, and the darkness at the top in the 1st shot is better (toned lighter just a bit if possible). The space at the left in the 2nd shot is much more pleasing to my eye. And cropping out the distraction at the bottom as in the 1st shot is also better in my opinion.

I appreciate your detailed response and suggestions, KT.

jaredjacobson

UTMike wrote:

I appreciate all the helpful comments. Attached is a revision applying some of the tips.

This is my favorite.