Horizontal or Vertical? (B&W film)
Nov 24, 2016 12:59:14 #
Here is a modified photo with a darker sky. It enhances the clouds more than were in evidence that day as, is often the case in the middle of the day in South Florida, you find a very pale blue sky.
Darker Sky Version
Nov 24, 2016 13:04:26 #
jimmya wrote:
I always prefer landscape because in the vertical format it seems you're missing so much.
That is my general preference as well. I probably shot 10 to 1 horizontal over vertical. However, that is partially due to the mere mechanics of shooting. When I go vertical, I usually have a specific reason. Or, like here, I just can not decide while in the field.
Nov 24, 2016 13:09:09 #
whwiden wrote:
Below are two photos of the same object at Morikam... (show quote)
I like the vertical better, the tree stands out much better.
Nov 24, 2016 21:15:31 #
here's a crude job, but darker sky gives it some needed punch...Sorry for my sloppy job. Just saying--------
Nov 24, 2016 21:42:00 #
Pathfinder wrote:
here's a crude job, but darker sky gives it some needed punch...Sorry for my sloppy job. Just saying--------
On the other hand I like the lighter version. There seems to be more luminosity and contrast of and among the different elements. But it doesn't hurt to play around with basic shot. See AA and how his iconic Hernandez moonrise morphed through the years at his hand.
Nov 24, 2016 22:40:25 #
revhen wrote:
On the other hand I like the lighter version. There seems to be more luminosity and contrast of and among the different elements. But it doesn't hurt to play around with basic shot. See AA and how his iconic Hernandez moonrise morphed through the years at his hand.
Here is a compromise with a bit darker sky than my second effort, but not as extreme as the "Moonrise" version. Let me know what you think.
I appreciate all of the attention everyone has given to my question.
I think the lesson for me is that I should be more willing to adjust some of my film shots, as needed, to improve a result. I generally leave my film scans alone, with little post processing work. Sometimes that may not be the best approach, other than for a quick proof copy.
I do think that everyone who selected the vertical version basically had it right. However, in thinking about it, the sky in that version was too light for an optimal result even though to my eye it did capture the black and white rendition of a very pale blue sky.
Thanks again to all of you!
Vertical Shot Version 3
Nov 25, 2016 07:53:09 #
As AA did, keep working on it. Our tastes change through the years. There's no right or wrong in these matters. There are days I prefer the earlier Moonrise versions and days I like the later. I wish AA would have preserved the clouds in the sky of the earlier prints and been able to enhanced the brightness and contrast of the buildings and tombstones of the later. And so it goes . . .
Nov 25, 2016 08:13:12 #
Nov 25, 2016 08:24:05 #
I like the vertical as you have more of the tree showing, I think it gives more balance to the shot.larry
Nov 25, 2016 08:28:30 #
vertical, for a lot of reasons. but the most important one, is I just like it better.
Nov 25, 2016 08:31:08 #
I prefer the portrait orientation, BTW , I frequently shoot both portrait and landscape if there is any doubt in my mind of which is better, looking on the computer screen is different than in the field, Bob.
Nov 25, 2016 08:54:35 #
My eye prefers the vertical (composition) but my mind wants to prefer the horizontal. I wish the horizontal were composed like the vertical but, then, we don't know what's to the left of the tree.
Nov 25, 2016 08:55:10 #
Nov 25, 2016 09:18:54 #
I am new to the site and have absolutely no credentials to back me up; but, I prefer the vertical. In my opinion it concentrates better on the primary subject of the photo and you get rid of a significant amount of foreground (which I think distracts from the overall impact) and gain sky in the background (which I feel enhances the overall impact).
Nov 25, 2016 09:19:05 #
cdayton wrote:
My eye prefers the vertical (composition) but my mind wants to prefer the horizontal. I wish the horizontal were composed like the vertical but, then, we don't know what's to the left of the tree.
Aha! A left brain vs. right brain issue! Aesthetics vs. conceptions. It's a constant conflict within us all. Now for an interesting topic: Is photography a technical exercise or an artistic one? Is photography just a recording of external objects or is it an expression of an artistic or even ethical vision? Think Ansel Adams and Edward Weston vs. Jacob Riis and Dorothea Lange.
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