Balance: Placing your main subject off-centre, as with the rule of thirds, creates a more interesting photo, but it can leave a void in the scene which can make it feel empty. You should balance the 'weight' of your subject by including another object of lesser importance to fill the space.
ISO 100 | 1/80 | f/16 | 95mm
I got this as my son took a short rest between toddling up and down the front steps of our house. I tend to put him to the side of photos on a regular basis (see the unbalanced shot below). This time I put him to the side but included the porch column to balance the right side. The blue in the security sign also balances some of the color. At first I considered cropping out the sign (even though I like the color balance), but I like the statement it makes.
Unbalanced:
Update:
Based on feedback I cropped the sign and shadow out and I lightened up the shadow on is face:
Sorry I'm late, I am in group A too. I loved what you have done to the cropped version.
Posted by: Merryn | 05/30/2010 at 02:23 AM
The updated version really puts all focus on the little guy and the same in the second uncropped one where he's all by himself
great shots !
Posted by: Christina, Sweden | 01/31/2010 at 02:37 PM
This is a great trio of shots. I love the last one. He is such a cutie. The contrast between his blue clothes and the red brick make for a wonderful shot.
Posted by: Penny | 01/23/2010 at 07:31 PM
What a cute little boy! I like your cropped version best, the sign was really distracting for me.
Posted by: photosbykimroberts | 01/23/2010 at 11:44 AM
Cropping out the sign does it for me. You have to wonder what he is thinking about, great capture.
Posted by: Jens Langhans | 01/21/2010 at 09:05 AM
Welcome to the Photowalk! Your final photo is wonderful. The second crop shows your adorable sun beautifully & makes him the sole subject of the photo with no distractions.
Posted by: Madelaine | 01/20/2010 at 10:18 AM
The last crop with the column adding weight to the right, but subdued color, is the one that puts the emphasis on the child. Too many things in the shot just confuses the eye.
Welcome to the photographers that are here. Maybe one day you will be in my 'group'....
Posted by: Esther Farnstrom | 01/19/2010 at 09:16 PM
First of all your son is adorable, and what a fun age! I love both of your images, the first one is really balanced (but, I think the sign's bright blue distracts from the image a bit)....that second image is beautiful, a little boy discovering....that will be a memory that will last a lifetime! Nice work!
Posted by: Tammy McChesney | 01/19/2010 at 09:48 AM
What do you think of the vertical crop Lesli? That's the fun thing about editing, you can take one shot and have several different versions, just keep the original safe.
Posted by: LindaW | 01/19/2010 at 08:21 AM
Nice lighting. The sign does bother me. Since he is looking almost straight down, I'd consider a vertical crop of this one and leave out the column and the sign.
Posted by: LindaW | 01/19/2010 at 08:00 AM
What a cutie he is! I'll be looking forward to seeing more of him as the year goes on.
The composition of your shot in terms of balance seems spot on. I might even consider making a square crop of the left portion to eliminate the sign and its shadow.
Posted by: Julie McLeod | 01/19/2010 at 07:35 AM
I really like this one, Lesli! The backlighting on your son's hair is so nice and I like how he is positioned in the frame. Perhaps a little fill flash to brighten his face just a tad? Or add some light through your processing software. Do you use Photoshop Elements? It looks like you have a really good eye!
Posted by: Doris Pacheco | 01/19/2010 at 12:27 AM