Reading left-to-right affects image composition? Proof? (Page 2): This just got me thinking, thanks. I also draw portraits (I'm left handed and right eye dominant) but I realized I...

O2Ra

MtnMan wrote:

BTW several of the articles I looked out found a preference for left to right lighting...from both cultures but more so from left to right reading cultures. I Googled images from DaVinci and Rembrandt (the master of Light) and it does seem to me that they use left to right lighting in most of their side lit images.

That one is easy to map to photo composition.

This just got me thinking, thanks. I also draw portraits (I'm left handed and right eye dominant) but I realized I mostly light up the left side of the face more than the right. Mostly shadowing to the right. We probably do have a subconscious preference . Just saying.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I find that when I take photographs I simply, "see", what I want in the viewfinder and click the shutter. My thinking on this subject is not so much light from the right or left but more how the entire scene looks to me. If there is something about the light such as a strong highlight going to be on the photo then I adjust the settings to capture the photo appropriately. Am I in the minority here (not good or bad but just different)? Don't all of us simply see the photo opportunity and take the picture, basically seeing from the center rather than left or right?

Dennis

bookman Loc: Southeast Michigan

Good read. Thanks for the link. :thumbup:

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

St3v3M wrote:

Imagine your favorite image in reverse.

Personally, for photos, I'm not sure that it makes a hell of a lot of difference--left to right, right to left or "flipped" as you did for Mona Lisa. I do know that most judges of our club's monthly competitions seem to prefer the left side of the "rule of thirds" and, perhaps unconsciously, degrade the right side; it doesn't seem fair because sometimes the photographer just doesn't have a choice, but that's the way it is! In the "old days" of film", I used to see a newspaper pictures that were printed "the wrong way", ie. with the negative upside down. Now, with digital, it's not a mistake; it takes an extra step to flip an image.

I do recall that in advertising the right side of the right page, is considered to be the "best" position for visibility, but bottom right on the left page is the worst--go figure!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

JCam wrote:

Personally, for photos, I'm not sure that it makes... (show quote)

I think you're the first to notice the Mona Lisa. Cheers! S-

Shutter Bugger

Not to mention those that write in vertical lines rather than horizontal...

Anyway, I like your (rather cool) avatar facing right better.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

MtnMan wrote:

BTW several of the articles I looked out found a preference for left to right lighting...from both cultures but more so from left to right reading cultures. I Googled images from DaVinci and Rembrandt (the master of Light) and it does seem to me that they use left to right lighting in most of their side lit images.

That one is easy to map to photo composition.

Tough getting the sun to cooperate sometimes...
:lol: :lol:

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

dpullum wrote:

Indeed it does affect how we see; it being how our culture reads. Also there are things like the magic of the number 3 in society. Many old sayings, 3 on a match, 3 little pigs, 3 in religion, body contact- count the pats on the back.

A free book on the psychology of photography:
http://users.rider.edu/~suler/photopsy/article_index.htm

Hi, dp,
Thanks much for that link.
There's lots of opinion, and lots of objective observation. andfurther, it is an incredible resource of diverse topics for wonderfully stimulating discussion among photographers.

Can't thank you enough.

Dave in SD

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

dpullum wrote:

Indeed it does affect how we see; it being how our culture reads. Also there are things like the magic of the number 3 in society. Many old sayings, 3 on a match, 3 little pigs, 3 in religion, body contact- count the pats on the back.

A free book on the psychology of photography:
http://users.rider.edu/~suler/photopsy/article_index.htm

"Three's a crowd...."

Shutter Bugger

moonhawk wrote:

"Three's a crowd...."

Third wheel.... The Tri Axis... hey! it's not looking so good for "three" now

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

moonhawk wrote:

Tough getting the sun to cooperate sometimes...
:lol: :lol:

And that's another thing that "bugs" me about some photo judges. They so often comment that the "bird would show better looking the other way" or "the tail of the fish in its mouth blocked part of the head" or "the afternoon light would have been more flattering". I've tried telling the damn bird to turn around, drop the fish, or sit there all day so I can get a late afternoon shot, but they ignore me; it's frustrating not having them obey--almost reminds me of teenagers! :D

bigd7200

If you're writing with your right hand and the light is coming from over your right shoulder, the tip of your pen is in the shadow of your hand.This reverses for lefties, and could afect lighting preference.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

dpullum wrote:

Indeed it does affect how we see; it being how our culture reads. Also there are things like the magic of the number 3 in society. Many old sayings, 3 on a match, 3 little pigs, 3 in religion, body contact- count the pats on the back.

A free book on the psychology of photography:
http://users.rider.edu/~suler/photopsy/article_index.htm

Thanks for that link. Looks like some interesting reading when I find the time.
:thumbup:

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

dpullum wrote:

Indeed it does affect how we see; it being how our culture reads. Also there are things like the magic of the number 3 in society. Many old sayings, 3 on a match, 3 little pigs, 3 in religion, body contact- count the pats on the back.

A free book on the psychology of photography:
http://users.rider.edu/~suler/photopsy/article_index.htm

The "three on a match" wasn't a matter of psychology; it was one of survival. In the trench warfare of WW I, troops on the line quickly learned that a lit match would bring enemy rifle fire, and that they could light two cigarettes with one match, but the third gave an enemy soldier a good target and time to aim and shoot, usually with deadly effect.

It is still true!

O2Ra

dennis2146 wrote:

I find that when I take photographs I simply, &quo... (show quote)

I'm with ya on that one Dennis. We see the picture in our minds first ,compose and shoot. Adjust lighting as needed. I do believe subconsciously we do have a preference.
OooooRa