Istanbul Escape

[NavyJelly]

Taken from inside the hollow of a tree in the gardens of the Topkapi palace in Istanbul, Turkey last August.

I have a few versions of this shot, I know in my gut the moment is a good capture but whatever way I look I can't figure out what is wrong with the execution (cue laughter at my noobieness ;-) ). Any ideas, tips, hints, ritual sacrifices all welcome. They are security guards by the way, I wish their uniforms were slightly more obvious.

 

[Alex_B]

For this one I like the idea of having the "wooden frame" in focus and all the rest out of focus ... for me this works here

However, the hole and the security guards are neither centered, not really off-centre. It is not pronounced either way.

Also, since the whole stretches downwards, maybe a portrait would be better than landscape here.

BTW, I know that place .. just I never realised there was actually a tree you could "enter" .. or maybe you are just slimmer than me?

 

[NavyJelly]

Cheers for the ideas, you could very well be right about protrait, the dimensions never really looked really right, it's funny because I really can't put my finger on what I don't like about the execution.

I think we can safely say it's not my 'slim frame' that allowed me in there, its quite a sizeable hollow, and a popular photo oppertunity for visitors to stand in the tree. Or indeed a troop of school girls like the one I had to wait to finish before I got in.


Heres the tree as normally viewed, you can just about make out the hole from the previous shot.

 

[justphotos]

From my point of view, I think it would have looked better if the security guards were in focus instead of the tree. Of course, it does look ok like it is.

 

[NavyJelly]

yes I was thinking the same, but unfortunately I dont have such a shot.

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.

 

[nabero]

Looking at the picture of the tree I have to commend your creativity...I don't think I would have ever seen the hole in the tree and thought to crawl in it to take a picture! :sillysmi:

 

[sujialin]

I think the wooden frame is taking up too much space

 

[Alex_B]

I have to state again, I like it BECAUSE the security guards and the whole central part are blurred

 

[NavyJelly]

I think the wooden frame is taking up too much space

You know what, I think you're right. The crop ain't quite there, problem is though it may all be a bit too central if I reduce the frame on the left.

 

[NavyJelly]

Looking at the picture of the tree I have to commend your creativity...I don't think I would have ever seen the hole in the tree and thought to crawl in it to take a picture! :sillysmi:

cheers, but...not quite that artistically intentioned, I went in just to have a look at what the inside of a tree was like...always fancied myself as a bit of a squirrel.

heres a recropped version, as some suggested.

Not really loving it, guards are too dead centre.