Composition and simplicity?

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Composition and simplicity?

Postby Matt. K on Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:54 pm

What's wrong with a little complexity? Does this image work for you? Or is it too fussy?

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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby CraigVTR on Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:52 am

Not sure if better contrasting light would help with such a busy image. To me it seems rather flat at the moment which does not give the subject enough separation from the background nor does it show off the finer detail in the branches, leaves and flowers. It might work better as a large print where the detail is easier for the viewer to see and examine.

I have a forest shot with similar complexity that I am not sure works either.
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby Remorhaz on Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:28 am

Not for me sorry Matt - the tree itself is nice enough with a nice shape - perhaps if it was transplanted into a lone field or on top of a small hill or something?
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby Reschsmooth on Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:15 am

Looks like a beautifully printed silver-gelatin print from a perfectly exposed neg. You nailed this one.
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby chrisk on Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:16 pm

CraigVTR wrote:Not sure if better contrasting light would help with such a busy image. To me it seems rather flat at the moment which does not give the subject enough separation from the background nor does it show off the finer detail in the branches, leaves and flowers. It might work better as a large print where the detail is easier for the viewer to see and examine.

I have a forest shot with similar complexity that I am not sure works either.


pretty much what he said.
i cant really tell if it works either cos the lack of any contrast is quite distracting for me. it looks a bit mushy.
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby sirhc55 on Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:39 pm

It’s a tree :cough:
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby zafra52 on Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:44 pm

I think it needs more contrast if you want
it to work in B&W, but somehow I suspect
that colour is a better choice.
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby biggerry on Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:25 pm

sirhc55 wrote:It’s a tree :cough:

:agree:
dammit..that was my line.
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby aim54x on Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:54 pm

I think you need a tad bit more separation between the tree and the background...even if the aim was to show the blending. This image is very flat in tone....but has so much potential to express the textures of the layers of leaves.
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Re: Composition and simplicity?

Postby Mj on Mon Dec 24, 2012 7:46 pm

mmm... personally I think there is nothing wrong with complex. fussy and low contrast... the image works fine for what it is and what you planned it to be.
We become too attached to the same game plan for images... like a recipe that we MUST always follow for an image to be 'correct'.
I see it time and time again... if it's black and white it must have high contrast... if it is a portrait it must be sharp.
All that aside this is probably not an image I would visit often, but that's more to do with its subject matter not having great interest to me rather than any technical fault.

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