Paddlewheel - Composition Assistance: I took this back in 2008 with my old Kodak Easyshare while I was living in Memphis. It was a sunset dinner cruise on the Mississippi river on a...

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I took this back in 2008 with my old Kodak Easyshare while I was living in Memphis. It was a sunset dinner cruise on the Mississippi river on a paddle boat. The only shot I had of the paddle wheels included whatever that is to the right. I couldn't keep it out of my shot. Should I crop it out or attempt to clone it out? I have attached a cropped view but that takes it to almost a square format and I can't decide if I like that wheel in a square format. On the other hand, should I just leave it or is it too distracting? Your comments and suggests are much appreciated.

PS I know the highlights are blown in the sky. Back then I just pointed and shot.

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MichaelEBM Loc: Los Angeles CA

I would suggest that the thing on the right is distracting. If you're willing to put in the time, I think that cloning it out would give you the shot that you want. It's a fun shot!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

That is such an appealing photo! Have you ever used the distortion tools? Horizontal camera distortion correction (in PS Elements) makes your clone job easier

kenievans Loc: Dallas

MichaelEBM wrote:

I would suggest that the thing on the right is distracting. If you're willing to put in the time, I think that cloning it out would give you the shot that you want. It's a fun shot!

Thanks Michael! I might try the Fill and Replace Content Aware. Sometimes that works really well. Other times, not so much. If that doesn't work then cloning it is.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Linda From Maine wrote:

That is such an appealing photo! Have you ever used the distortion tools? Horizontal camera distortion correction (in PS Elements) makes your clone job easier

I knew I liked you for some reason! I didn't think about that. The distortion would help me keep my width with actually very little distortion and the only cloning I would have to do is that upper piece. Niiiiiiiice!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

kenievans wrote:

I knew I liked you for some reason! I didn't think about that. The distortion would help me keep my width with actually very little distortion and the only cloning I would have to do is that upper piece. Niiiiiiiice!

R.G., and Jim Hill before him, have stretched my smaller mountains, and other aspects of composition, vertically. I learned it from them!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I’d keep it. It’s part of the scene and not distracting at all. The first shot tells a much better story than the second one. If the object really bothers you, clone it out rather than cropping because the first offering definitely creates a better image.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

jaymatt wrote:

I’d keep it. It’s part of the scene and not distracting at all. The first shot tells a much better story than the second one. If the object really bothers you, clone it out rather than cropping because the first offering definitely creates a better image.

I agree!

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

I prefer it without the crop. What bothers me most is the purple fringing, and the purple cast on the lower blade. Going b/w is a way to sidestep the color and blown highlights, and utilize the composition. In color I like it better with the colors warmed up some

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I rally like #2, and Photoshop Content Aware Fill will easily remove the post or whatever it is on the right side of the image

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Well, I, for one, like the cropped version. I think I'd go with it instead of spending the time fiddling with cloning. Although, I do admit that the clone tool does a pretty good job, sometimes!

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

kenievans wrote:

I took this back in 2008 with my old Kodak Easysha... (show quote)

Hi,Kenie,

Linda has recommended using “horizontal distortion” to affect composition. All distortions have limits, particularly when, without distortion, a circle has been an ellipse by foreshortening. That ellipse, then, when subjected to horizontal expansion or other distortions becomes more obviously an awkward distortion clearly departing from the comfortably imagined “circular” shape.

Two distortions to consider are the two paraxial distortions most often used as “lens corrections” for “barrel” and “pincushion” distortion. Each of these permits cropping of the distracting stuff in the upper right without distracting (IMO) effects on the paddle wheel structures.

It is important to keep the horizon on the axis of the planned axial distortion to avoid the objection@ble upward or downward curve imposed on the horizon if it is “off axis”.

Dave

Examples below:
5he first is barrel distortion; the second is pincushion distortion.

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artBob Loc: Near Chicago

With just a slight cropping on the left helping the compositional balance, filling in the blow-outs, emphasizing the water drips, and bringing out the wheel a bit, I think your original photo is great.

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ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

kenievans wrote:

I took this back in 2008 with my old Kodak Easysha... (show quote)

I don't have any problem with a square format. In fact, I think it works well here. Cloning the distraction out would be very time consuming and I'm not convinced it would not leave artifacts. So, cropping seems the way to go. You still have the wheel and the sky. They both look good in the crop.
Erich

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thank you all for your comments and assistance. I really did consider and try all of your suggestions. This color version is the one I like best and I think the B&W is interesting. You focus much more on the shape of the wheel. Its not a prize winner but definitely much better than the 10 year old original. The Mississippi river is one of the few things I loved and miss about Memphis.

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