Jan 2012

"Afternoon Light Through Leaded Glass Doors"

COMMENTS:
 

Bailey Donnally		An interesting image!  But puzzling.. As it is cropped it is very hard to figure out what it is.  The image is quite blurry except right at the top. The balanced arrangement leads to questions about what is the subject of the picture, what is the center of interest? Usually compositions involving only centered, symmetric parts do not work well.   Because of these issues, I would favor the alternate cropping shown at the bottom which clarifies some of these issues.  The actual glass doors quickly answer some of the questions and since the things outside the glass doors are different, the problem of too much symmetry is alleviated..
Fred Dueren		I like the patterns and overall effect of this. The surrounding black area highlights the colors and even the grain in the wood floors. I think the cropped versions much better than showing part of the glass.
Bob Jump		I think that you should leave the doors out. This makes a more interesting image that causes to the viewer to stop and try to figure out what it is. Some mystery in an image is usually a good thing. Parts of the image are in focus (the top) and the rest is soft. This is not necessarily bad, as the sharper parts of the image can draw the eye from the bottom and through the image.
Ingrid Borecki		Beautiful leaded glass!  I can see why the pattern was attractive as a subject for this photo.  However, in treating the image in its own right, I’m a bit bothered by the lack of focus at the base, although I think it was probably like that in reality, not an issue with focus or depth of field.  Come to think of it, the light behind the pattern is reminiscent of fire, which is kind of exciting.  From the composition standpoint, I’m not keen on the symmetric side-by-side monoliths with nothing connecting them.  I’d like to see something to tie them together.  Nonetheless, I appreciate your noticing the interesting pattern of the sunlight.
Graham Budd		Another vote for the thumnail David. I prefer the double symetery of the crop and I find it gives me a better sense of time and place than the revised edition. I might be inclined to vary my perspective on the original shot by getting down a little lower, going wide and vertical.
Douglas Hart		Gosh I am torn in the fact that the thumbnail is much more to my liking.  The presented crop is an interesting presentation, with its colors and strong lines, but the pair of towering subjects is not generating great interest for me.   As we are taught in art and photography school, shapes that form triangles and groups of three, and the rule of thirds are great fall back composition rules that support human interest and create those outcomes that keep the viewer interested.  The original shot had more of those elements and captured my thirst for more, and stimulated my imagination about the scene.  My personal choice is to utilize the full shot as a base and crop along the bottom edge to lace the bottom of the door along the lower third grid and a slight crop along the right edge to place the right side door centered on the right third grid.  While I do not think composition rules are absolutes, they do tend to have their fair amount of successes.  And I do believe that they are worthy of trying them first to see if the composition is enhanced.  If not you always have the artistic license to change you orientation, crop, positioning etc as deemed necessary to optimize any given shot.

Member Bio

David McRae "Mac" Temple - Biography I am a practicing neonatologist in Jackson, Mississippi. I grew up in Meridian, Mississippi and am a 6th generation Mississippian. I completed my pediatric and neonatology training in Houston, TX and returned back to practice in Jackson. I have always enjoyed taking photos usually serving as the family photographer at family gatherings. My mother also taught me a great appreciation for beautiful objects in nature, architecture, and people. Last Summer I completed my 25th year in practice and with my 3 daughters now grown and mostly "out of the nest," I decided to pursue my interests in photography, travel, and golf. I have had 2 Cannon film SLRs over the years and am currently shooting with the digital Cannon Rebel XSi. I am a member of the Jackson Photographic Society. I hope to learn much about shooting techniques and software correction for photographs.