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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> CSLR Challenge 82: Roads, Paths and Passages (hosted by iso) >> Challenge 82: Exhibition > Bridging Thoughts
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21-JUN-2004 Lonnit Rysher

Bridging Thoughts

Throgs Neck Bridge, NY

Canon EOS 10D ,Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
1/90s f/5.6 at 135.0mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time21-Jun-2004 19:44:16
MakeCanon
ModelEOS 10D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length135 mm
Exposure Time1/90 sec
Aperturef/5.6
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Modepartial (6)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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ctfchallenge12-Dec-2006 21:10
I still wonder what's she is thinking about. I'm dying to know [aam1234]
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Dec-2006 23:34
LOL! Nope, not at all. But it just so happens, that either way, my crop, or the suggested crop, both follow the rule of thirds. I stick to the rule, all the time, unless I have good reason to break it. It must have some positive effect on my work, b/c the one compliment I get more than any others, is that I compose well. If that is true, then I have the rule of thirds to thank for that.

I don't think any rule of photography is immutable. However, I do think that rules are rules b/c they are tried and true and survive the test of time. Therefore, I stick to the rules, unless I have good reason to break them. When I break them, I like to shatter them, so that the break does not look like an error.

I find it odd though, that you'd raise your argument in this particular conversation, when both images follow the rule of thirds. I would like to have a friendly debate over two versions of an image - one following the rule and one breaking it. Then we could have a great discussion as to why it works broken. Keep it in mind the next time you spot an image you think would be good for this kind of examination. It'd be a great learning experience. That's always my favorite kind of thread! :)

Thanks again! ~ Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Dec-2006 22:03
Lonnit, like most photographers, I think that the "rule of thirds" has value as a compositional guideline, but I don't view it as some immutable law of nature. I think we need to consider whether an image works regardless of the rule. Is that heresy to you??? ;->
--Mary Anne
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Dec-2006 21:55
Not being a woos! LOL! Yes, as I said, both do work, but this one sends the message I intended. Not to burst your bubble, though, but this is still a rule of thirds composition, although a tad looser than I usually do. ;) ~ Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Dec-2006 20:45
Thanks, guys. Ok, I took a look at the suggested crop. Here's what I discovered. The reason your crop works is b/c the compositional elements also sit well on the grid of thirds. I saved the image and was about to upload it to replace this. However, when I reopened this page, after looking at the new crop, this one jumped out as being, IMO, the more aesthetically pleasing image. The cropped version seems a bit bare and stark. In this one, the large dark block seems to anchor the person better. The other seems to be a bit lacklustre. I think the thing is that the woman is too starkly black against the lighter tones of the image. The dark, but not quite black block, softens the harshness of the woman by giving stepping stones to the levels of dark to light. The missing stepping stone creates too much contrast which causes the mood of the entire image to lose it's quiet thoughtfulness. Thanks so much for the suggestion though. I'm always open to rethinking my images. So this was a great lesson for me in figuring out why this image works. You guys are great! ~ Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Dec-2006 19:54
I took a piece of tissue and hid the part Mary Anne was talking about. It works! No not the tissue but Mary Anne's suggestion. Try it Lonnit [aam1234]
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Dec-2006 19:15
A very nice take on what could have been just an ordinary bridge photo. I also like your use of color here, Lonnit. If you ever look at the Radiant Vista daily critiques (at radiantvista.com), this bridge is what Craig Tanner would call "a very mature subject" (one that has been photographed countless times), and the challenge for the photographer is to see it in a different way. You've done that here, so good work! One little quibble...you might want to get rid of that dark block on the left side.
--Mary Anne
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Dec-2006 18:01
Super! It makes you think what the lady is thinking about. Love it [aam1234]