This was my entry
and this was the original frame (more-less)
I was going back and forth between these two options, but eventually decided that the closeup would perform better, even though I personally felt that a wider scene was more interesting... What do you think?
appears i have no brain .. !! .. ;)
going backwards and forwards between both photos .. i'd be having difficulty deciding too ..
the close-up is an excellent photo for the challenge ... and seeing it got the blue .. the voters agreed ..
but i really liked the wider scene too .. i liked that there was more going on .. love the way the red spade seems to balance the image and give more of a story ... didnt really like the background hills tho ..
one thing .. in the close-up photo the person to the left and up a bit from the subjects .. seemingly bending over sitting down .. i find quite a distraction .. in the wider view because there's more going on the person doesnt have such impact .
of course thats just my opinion .. and other ppl might like that person there ..
feel a bit weird giving that opinion to such an amazing photographer .
but you did ask . !! .. ;)
I agree with Roz, excellent analysis :) I think if that other person playing in the sand was closer and less blurred to give a smaller repetition of the main actors it would have been my choice. Although the spade completes the scene in the wider framing the red color makes it too distracting.
Thank you all for the input! On one hand, yes, I agree with you that the wider version has more elements (the spade, in the first place) that distract from the central theme of the photo. I know that simple compositions usually get better scores, and that's why I chose it :). On the other hand, disregarding the scores for a moment, I am not sure that distracting elements should be avoided to make a photo easy to view and understand. For example, Henri Cartier-Bresson's photos often have a lot going on in them, you really have to look and ponder what made him press the shutter button. This extra effort is a big part of the enjoyment. Distracting, seemingly unnecessary elements also often add to the context and the atmosphere. Look for example at these couple of photos:
Thank you all for the input! On one hand, yes, I agree with you that the wider version has more elements (the spade, in the first place) that distract from the central theme of the photo. I know that simple compositions usually get better scores, and that's why I chose it :). On the other hand, disregarding the scores for a moment, I am not sure that distracting elements should be avoided to make a photo easy to view and understand. For example, Henri Cartier-Bresson's photos often have a lot going on in them, you really have to look and ponder what made him press the shutter button. This extra effort is a big part of the enjoyment. Distracting, seemingly unnecessary elements also often add to the context and the atmosphere. Look for example at these couple of photos:
totally agree Lev .. i like a bit of busy on occasion ... ie. distractions ..
i just wasnt a big fan of the out of focus guy in the background in the more cropped version .. it wasnt so much an intellectual judgement .. but a gut reaction ..
the thing is when you are shooting candid photos .. you take what you can get in an often moving scene .. altho of course there's a lot you can do to create what you 'see' and want to convey .. and i feel you are a master in that genre ..
having said that .. i want to add .. you are one of the best here in dpc in my eyes ..
and i bow down to your extreme talent ..
hope i havent given you a big head .lol. but i'm just saying it how i see it .
also i enjoy giving a compliment here and there .. and i'm pretty sure most ppl like receiving them ..
Thank you all for the input! On one hand, yes, I agree with you that the wider version has more elements (the spade, in the first place) that distract from the central theme of the photo. I know that simple compositions usually get better scores, and that's why I chose it :). On the other hand, disregarding the scores for a moment, I am not sure that distracting elements should be avoided to make a photo easy to view and understand. For example, Henri Cartier-Bresson's photos often have a lot going on in them, you really have to look and ponder what made him press the shutter button. This extra effort is a big part of the enjoyment. Distracting, seemingly unnecessary elements also often add to the context and the atmosphere. Look for example at these couple of photos:
I love the first photo, I hate the second. Maybe my mind likes order and balance. The first photo has a great composition with intersecting diagonals and gradual loss of focus. It has an absurd feel, a photo of a bit bizarre situation. You could also see work hierarchy as the guy in full focus wears a suit and a tie. The second photo does not work for me at all - no clear focus, cut building, people and branch on periphery, high contrast and a triangular composition of two verticals, tree and chimney, and a horizontal line - the body. Not sure why people would like this photo, I don't relate to it.
