Attached Link: http://photographic.com/phototechniques/0205simple/

while we're on the subject of magazines, i wanna ask a question. here's a magazine i look at online. it's got some good ideas in it and some decent information. The problem is i when i read this stuff i get confused. For instance, in this image of the heron that's on this link, i don't care for the composition. i don't think there's enough space at the top...feels too cramped up there for my tastes. and also from what my understanding is from the way jan-carel explained composition in a previous thread, ("let the animal look inside the field of the picture. That's better than look outside (in general)." that bird should have been on the right side of the image. It's quite possible I misunderstood JC's explanation though. Anyway, i'd like to know what the rest of you think about composition of this particular piece, and if you agree that this is a good model to go by for simple, effective compositions. thanks guys!

Well as you know I am no expert either - but IMHO the bird doesn't look correct if you mirror the image either !
Portrait is what I would choose, just the bird, but really don't think it is that greater shot to start with. Still thats not what you asked.
Definitely agree there should be more space above the head - especially in that pose looks like it is crouching to get in the frame. It has that unfortunate darker area of water just above the head too which doesn't help.
Jimry has done some superb heron shots so perhaps he has some more ideas :)

Message edited on: 03/01/2005 16:16

Sometimes I feel, its all to easy to cram as much into the frame...sometimes, you need to let the subject/object breathe...! As in the Great Egret shot (not a heron btw), I too agree about the top...not enough room to breathe (that bloody word again..!) It is a simple, effective composition though...with a bit more thought, would have been excellent imo. JimbO

Took a look at the image, I quickly scanned the article but didn't really devote much time to reading it.... Keeping it simple really is a good thing when it comes to composition. As to the photo.... I would tend to agree it seems a bit cramped on top, maybe just a tiny bit more space needed, but I otherwise feel the compo is excellent. Of course I tend to prefer simple images that have a lot of negative space in them. The bird in this image is looking into the inside field of the picture. In your cardinal image and the different crops that were given, someone put the bird into the bottom left third of the image, he was looking out of the frame.... in Jan-Carel's crop the bird was placed at the right top/middle third of the image.... the bird was looking into the middle of the frame instead of out as in the previous mentioned. I don't think JC meant that the bird has to be to the right side of the image, but merely that it is looking into the frame and not out of it, no matter what side it may be placed on...... and if I'm wrong about that then I would be confused too..... cha-ching my 2 cents.....

IMO the compo is a little tight overhead, not sure if this is too simple, as there is nothing at all in 2/3 of the frame. Over all I think it is a poor image and a poor example. The shot below it is a far better example of a simple but effective compo, although the edge of the flower pot is a little oops

Cross posted with Michelle, some good points, but will stick with my opionion cause I can he he

I guess this does indeed highlight that it is so subjective, Michelle's opinion is of an excellent compo and mine is the total reverse.

I guess on reflection it is a good compo but just dont like the lack of interest in the rest of the frame. Ok that is possibly unavoidable due to the nature of the shot, that said it does give a good contrast of the subject.

Message edited on: 03/01/2005 16:35

Yes see what you mean about the flower pot - I didn't really look at the second image.

I did read the article now though and it suggests the bird shot is for a magazine and the negative space to the right is for a story. So perhaps this is not the best one to have used for a pure picture example. Don't think I quite understood it was compo. specialised for that type of work ( says under image too ) but it doesn't make it that clear .

Message edited on: 03/01/2005 16:43

i appreciate your feedback guys! Richard...agree...not the best pic to use as a pure pic example! i had the feeling they were adding that bit of information about this image being good to for magazine spreads as an afterthought. you're right. it wasn't made clear. I don't like much at all about this image with the bird. Jim, your bird shots are sooooo much better!!! Simon, i guess this is a good example of how art is subjective. and that 2nd image...totally agree with you guys! i didn't really look at it that close either. hard to believe they used this one as an example of good compo! michelle...ok...NOW i think i get it about the subject looking inside the frame!!!! i get confused sometimes. thanks for clarifying! appreciate your input here, guys!

Attached Link: http://www.shutterbug.com/

I would have to agree that the top of the image needs a tad bit more space yes, but otherwise I really like the way the this shot was composed. Missed the thread that you mentioned above. Brenda :) P.S. Lots of cool stuff in this online magazine! :)

thanks, Brenda! i think this is one i've browsed before at the bookstore. i tell ya, they only have like 1,000 photo magazines to choose from!!!!!! i was gonna subscribe to one, but it's taking me forever to look at them all and decide which one i want to subscribe to!

So subscribe to ALL of them! haha, when you decide, let me know...I like to let others do my footwork for me. ;o) I got here late so I'd just be repeating everything that has been said. The top image is cramped, not just because there we so little space above the bird's head, but because it was a horzontal image with a vertical subject. The layout of a photo should usually be dependant on the subject matter. I do agree with photographic's thoughts on negative space and keeping it simple, but they chose some terrible images with which to illustrate the point. BTW, you can get a trial issue on their homepage. --Kort

tnanks Kort!!! you know, you're really killing me with all these ZOON images!!!!! i NEED these for my bird shots!!!! pouting i want a ZoON! I wanna a ZOON! wah wah wah!!

Not everyone is ready for the power of ZOON. It must be used wisely, and with caution. ;]