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Challenge 5 - VOTING - Best Composition

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Offe
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Within this challenge, there were a good percentage of entries that had technically excellent examples of good composition.

This narrowed the choices down to those entries that (in my opinion) used their subject in the most creative manner.
These three stood out in all respects.

My method of voting starts by selecting my top ten picks & eliminating from there.
My next seven (in no particular order) were: (Alphabetized:)

Christian Bargholz Juul
David Vance
Ed.T
Jim
Ken Walsh
Nichole
PowerPet

Myron



Coolpix 5000
 
Ken Walsh - because of the way he used the white structure in the background to pull the eye through to the back of the photo so effectively

Mark S - because he used the entire frame well and chose an atypical composition to produce a wonderful sense of movement through the shot from top to bottom

PowerPet - because he used the space available very well and combined circular, smooth, and angular shapes and colors so well

The exposure on each shot was very nicely done with no visible hot spots. Slightly less than perfect exposures (a little too light or too dark overall) bumped several excellent contenders off my final list. A hallmark of good composition is moving the eye through the photo well - each of these three compositions did that very well. Nice work!

Linda in Kansas City
 
Here’s a little about why I chose how I did from all the great entries:

Sid

For me, the two diagonal lines of rocks/moving water (the longer line at the top mirrored by a smaller one in the lower right at the same angle) really help to set the shot. The location of the other three exposed leaves is nice (it wouldn’t be the same if it was just the one in my opinion). The fact that there’s not much else to see in this image to take attention away is a big plus and, to the viewer, not being defined means it could be anywhere, and easier to relate to if that makes any sense.

Ken Walsh

The sky and water form a nice “L” shape that draws my attention to the secluded area of water to the right, and, when contrasting that to the building, kind of gives me the “I’d rather be here than in that building” feeling. The bright section of grass sloping towards, and reflecting in the water also gives the same effect to me. I’m not sure if this was mentioned by someone else, but – just as a matter of personal preference, it seems like about 1/3rd of the dark shore at the bottom of the shot isn’t needed – not a big deal though.

Ga_DigiUser

I tried to make sure that my appreciation of snakes didn’t cloud my opinion on this one! As others have mentioned, attention is drawn to the head and the tail. The brighter moss below the head pulls the eye in the right direction too. The dark background fits the subject nicely. One thing that I know was impossible due to the available lighting, and the snake’s colors (and its potential disposition), would be to have just a little bit more light/definition on the dark section of the tail before the rattle. I like it a little better if I flip it horizontally so the head is on the left, but that’s probably just me.

Sorry if any of that was unclear.
Ed.
 
Once again, very hard entries to vote for... it is really hard to select just 3!

I think this one was also hard because of all the different subjects, so there are a lot of great shots!

These photos almost got my vote, in fact I was changing my mind quite a bit as to which ones would make my 'top 3'... believe me, it was hard!

self_portrait_Rui_Mendes ~ Maybe not quite as good in the Composition, but it is a very interesting and intriguing photo!

A_Botanical_Composition_Emily_Rose ~ Great shot, it really holds you eye!

Mushrooms_MarcV ~ Very well done, I like it!

Last_rays_of_the_day_Filski ~ Another great shot, only thing that could have been better (maybe) is if the sun was just behind his head, instead of in front - but then I am not sure, maybe that would make it worse? Something doesn't quite look 100%, but I can't quite put my finger on it. :-)

Spider_Shafak ~ Your eye certainly doesn't go off his! :-)

Puppy_in_hay_vici ~ Such a cute shot I almost went for this, but then changed my mind, but it is still a great shot!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Female_Duck_Nicole ~ Nicole, if you had a little more on the top above it's head I think it would have made a big improvement - this just lets it down a little, but still is very good.

Arch_to_Gardens_Robert_Hoge ~ Robert, like Nicole's shot, I think yours could have done with a little more of the top of the arch showing. :-)

Bedtime_Paul_Martin ~ Paul, I wonder if how this shot would have looked if the sun was closer to the centre or even slightly to the left of centre... may have given it a little better balance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope these comments come in handy. BTW, I am not an expert, so I may have it wrong! ;-)

Yours sincerely,
Michael Offe,
South Australia.
 
This was a tough one for me. But then, which one hasn't been tough? "Composition" can take so many forms. Some styles use form to draw your eye to a certain point in the photo; other types use light to achieve the same goal. Arrangement and form combine to create "composition." But, what is "Good composition?" That is a tough one! My choices were difficult. There are many winners here. Interestingly, my favorite photo was not a contender at all, simply because I did not feel the effort at "composing" was demonstrated. Still, I love the photograph and it passes the "I'd hang it on my wall" test that someone once mentioned they use as a criteria.

So, the criteria I chose to use here were:

1. Theme: How well did the lines, cropping, lighting and color combine to create a central focal point in the photograph?

2. Originality: Tough one, since some of my favorites were not necessarily "new stuff" but still, I loved them.

3. Technical Quality: Exposure, lighting, focus, etc.

My voting rational:

1. AirBete: Wonderful composition. I like the slight irreverent tilt of the child's head, leaning away from the walking stick. The highlight on the cheek, though on the "blown side" was still very effective in pulling me into the face.

2. Garry_I: What a wonderful combination of lines and shapes, combined to create something that really does not have a central focal point, yet still keeps my eye contained.

3. Blend43: A great job of capturing a good combination of form and flow. The strong, straight lines of the pelican's beaks, coupled with the curved lines of the necks, all combined with the colors, held my attention quite well. Good job!

Other comments (in no particular order)

PowerPet: What clever originality!! I laughed when I first saw the photo and it was a strong contender. Ultimately, it slid down a notch only because, on a personal level, the colors did not work for me. I'd love to see this photo with more complimentary colors (realizing that this is a very personal choice, some may love those colors).

Paul Sanson: Wonderful photo with beautiful soft light on such a delicate subject. I found the background a bit distracting though. Good work though.

Rui: I love these types of shots. Compositionally speaking though, this did not work for me. Still, I'm envious; I'd love to be up there doing the same thing.

Ken_Walsh: Technically, a great shoot. Very good composition, well designed and thought out. Colors were good and well balanced. I did not find the particular shot though, compelling in any manner, but it was clearly a good shot technically.

Paul Martin: Excellent photo and this would have been a serious contender had I not been so distracted by the sun. I love the composition and the subject matter. The color is wonderful as well. That white spot though, was just too distracting to keep this in the running for me.

John Brain: Very nice shot, good form, but the lighting just fell flat for me. I'd love to have seen this shot with some more dramatic lighting with stronger contrast.

Brent W Haydamak: This is a terrific shot and good composition. I wish Half Dome wasn't quite so much in the haze though (I know, you had to work with what you had). I love the contrasting moods of the cold feel in the background with the warmer foreground.

Sid Delay: I like this shot very much, I just wanted to see a "better leaf" in the photo, lol. Sometimes, we have to play with nature to make it right ;).

Ed-T and Clive_R: My two "I'd like to have these hanging on my wall" photos! They are wonderful photos and I love the look, feel and quality of both of both of these. Sadly, I did not feel enough compelling compositional strength emanating from them to fit the theme of the Challenge. Still, I'm jealous, wish I had shot them :)

And finally, MarkV: This shot was in the lead for me until I started getting more critical. That darn brown leaf in the foreground just messed with the "Composition" aspect of the Challenge. I love the lighting and subject and colors. That little 'shroom in the foreground also looks out of focus...great job though, I love this photograph too!

Lots of other good photos, congrats to all who entered, thoroughly enjoyable and of course, as always, thanks to our Contest Managers for making this possible.

So, is it official yet? No more 2x and 3x votes after this?

Whimsy is salvation for a life taken too seriously.
http://www.pbase.com/poetrunner/root
 
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