Vertical or horizontal? More M3 photos

[MelanieC]

These are rather generic "sunlight through trees" shots. I took the same picture two different ways to see which one I liked better and I still can't decide.

Are there rules of composition that govern this kind of thing?

I think these are too dark, but other than that they pretty much came out like I thought they would. Wish I could say the same for the rest of the roll!

-- M

 

[TimF]

Hi Melanie,
I suppose you could say the pictures are too dark, but then again I think it contributes to the atmosphere - too much exposure would lose the detail in the sunlit areas on the ground (which to me at least are a major factor in the appeal of these photos).

As to which is best, right now for me, the landscape format version wins by a short head - that might change in a few hours or days though! 🙂

 

[Doug]

Hi Melanie -- I think I prefer the vertical shot as giving longer lines. The horizontal treatment chops them shorter... As to "rules" there have been a number of them formed over the years for artistic compositions, and it doesn't hurt to know them so you can knowledgeably ignore them! Centered and especially symmetrical arrangements are more solid, static, while off-center points of interest offer little surprises, and diagonals are unsettled or dynamic. Not so much hard-and-fast rules, there is a visual language in all this that we are all learning, and sometimes we do things that make fun of known rules or use visual puns that depend on the language. The best thing is to look at a lot of pictures, good pictures, think about what you've seen, and learn the visual language. Can't really put it into words effectively.

 

[Biggles]

... As to "rules" there have been a number of them formed over the years for artistic compositions, and it doesn't hurt to know them so you can knowledgeably ignore them! Centered and especially symmetrical arrangements are more solid, static, while off-center points of interest offer little surprises, and diagonals are unsettled or dynamic. Not so much hard-and-fast rules, there is a visual language in all this that we are all learning... The best thing is to look at a lot of pictures, good pictures, think about what you've seen, and learn the visual language.

The fluffy cat speaks The Truth.

Can't really put it into words effectively.

Oh, I beg to differ. I think you just did.

 

[payasam]

What Doug said means, essentially, that every photograph (or painting) needs its own particular "balance". This could be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved, receding into the distance: anything that fits the subject. Generally there will be more than one option. Unless you're photographing very short trees or using an ultra wide lens, a horizontal composition will give you little more than their trunks. Dogs may like such pictures, of course.

 

[JoeFriday]

the photos aren't bad, Melanie.. but the lighting could be improved upon.. which means learning how to meter for difficult situations.. be patient as it might take you a while to figure it out (chances are I wouldn't have done any better with that situation, tho)

as for composition, here are a few articles that might help you get started

http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag1-6/mag2-3mf.shtml
http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag1-6/mag2-4closure.shtml
http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag1-6/mag2-5mf1.shtml
http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag2-6/mag2-9gestalt.shtml
http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag3-6/mag3-9gestalt.shtml

 

[35mmdelux]

the vertical works far better IMO. the more you shoot and critique your work, the better handle you'll get. I don't know about any hard/fast rules b/c it depends so much on a unique set of circumstances.

Consider that Ansel preferred wide angles, where HCB stated that he preferred longer lengths such as the 50mm and the 90mm to avoid too much foreground. As you can see, these strategies are diametrically opposed IMO - so much for the rules!

 

[35mmdelux]

the vertical works far better IMO. the more you shoot and critique your work, the better handle you'll get. I don't know about any hard/fast rules b/c it depends so much on a unique set of circumstances.

Consider that Ansel preferred wide angles, where HCB stated that he preferred longer lengths such as the 50mm and the 90mm to avoid having too much foreground. As you can see, these strategies are diametrically opposed - so much for the rules!

 

[Ergo]

very nice photos melanie,portrait looks better than landscape

 

[Honus]

Melanie,

Actually, I prefer Redwoods to Eucalyptus 🙂 This looks like C-41 b&w film. I think the high contrast works well here. I was all set to choose the vertical, but the horizontal format is starting to grow on me.

I think you're on the right track. Just keep loading film in that M3 and click away.

- robert