The Rule of Thirds. C and C Please

deggimatt · Apr 10, 2015

The_Traveler · Apr 10, 2015

yes, she's at the thirds but there is something about this that is unsatisfying and, failing some editing, I can't figure it out.
I can pick out some potential problems but........................
It is wider than 3:2 for no obvious artistic reason, that announcement box is sitting right on her head, the doorway draws attention with no fulfillment, the entire wall is bright, and her eyes are hidden.

KenC · Apr 10, 2015

The "rule" of thirds is basically nonsense. A large portion of the great images in photography don't adhere to it, so I don't see how it helps anyone.

Getting back to basics here, this seems a little static because there is nothing to direct the eye. A better choice might have been to move the frame to the right and down a little putting the doorway at the left edge and removing part of the box, which is a distraction. The added foreground and area on the right would serve to lead the viewer's eye to her. Some of the classic books on composition say that one should have an exit from the frame, which the doorway at the top left would provide. I always take this last with a grain of salt because photographers don't have as much control as painters over what's in the frame and where.

sleist · Apr 11, 2015

The red sweater is too overpowering. Try a mono conversion and play with the crop as suggested - perhaps make it 4:3 aspect ratio to lose the stuff on the edge that isn't contributing.

deggimatt · Apr 11, 2015

Hey Guys! Thank you very much for your input! How would you have taken it differently? And guys feel free to edit it as we are all here to learn something from one another.

The_Traveler · Apr 11, 2015

not happy with the masking but something like this
Please excuse roughness, a bit rushed this am.
Moved the box a bit crudely also

Designer · Apr 11, 2015

deggimatt; there is more to composition than simply following a "rule".

sleist · Apr 11, 2015

She still looks like she's balancing a box on her head though.

Derrel · Apr 11, 2015

Sleist has it sussed. The 4:3 ratio helped, a lot....but that danged box....oh, that box...

You know, I've looked at this photo twice, and have nothing to say about it except that it's....so...static. It has this feeling of going forever nowhere. or would that be nowhere forever? I'd like to like it, but everywhere I look there's nothing to like...the empty and dark doorway that runs all the way to the top, the box atop the head with the distracting notices inside, her expression, her downcast line of sight...it's just a most unusual image; it's almost kind of ugly in some almost impossible to explain way. It's morbidly fascinating to me. It's almost like there are so many unappealing elements in the scene that it becomes compelling at some level, like say the new internet sensation, Grumpy Cat. Am I making sense?

AlanKlein · Apr 11, 2015

This picture is a story waiting to happen. I think the composition is fine. You needed to wait until someone came in to or out of the door. Maybe a priest (what kind of building was this for?) Then maybe a fervent look from that person to the woman. Something to tell a story.

sleist · Apr 11, 2015

I see a story.

I have a vivid imagination though ...

It's a fair image. You shot it well. It just doesn't resonate.

Good photography is hard.

Welcome to the club.

pixmedic · Apr 11, 2015

the box seems to be a big deal.
So I say, roll with it baby!
Go Tall!

tirediron · Apr 11, 2015

KenC said:
The "rule" of thirds is basically nonsense. A large portion of the great images in photography don't adhere to it, so I don't see how it helps anyone...

The "rule" of thirds is a compositional guideline which is a compositional guideline almost as old as art itself. It most certainly is not applicable to every image, but it is relevant here because the OP has asked about it.

tirediron · Apr 11, 2015

The_Traveler said:
not happy with the masking but something like this
Please excuse roughness, a bit rushed this am.
Moved the box a bit crudely also
View attachment 98594

I think you're on to something here Lew, but I'd say remove it altogether. I love the way her feet are dangling, and I think the red sweater is an important element of the image.