Im confussed totally?

Question

Please if you can answer maturely......

Ok sometimes I like images because of a point of difference, while others dont like it for the reason I do.

A loose example would be I like the composition of an image and then others say "its not centered".

Do you know what I mean?

Is it just natural that "untrained" eyes expect to see "normal" images and "trained" eyes have issues with things like centered faces or horizons - to give more loose examples..

What you say?

heres an example

http://flickr.com/photos/martini2005/1631025844/

i showed this to a couple the other day and they said the dont like it because - theres to much shaddow, "it looks evil cause its only got one eye showing", i mean really.....is it me? -

lidy im pass what tossas think, those like yourself who actually know what they are talking about i value their opinions greatly

Answer 1

The subjectivity of an aesthetic response establishes our roles as equal subjects in a shared community.

Don't worry about it.. because others don't agree with you doesn't mean you are wrong or right, the aesthetic interpretation of a visual object is completely subjective, even in those who say they are objective. Each and every one of us will see something differently... and that's a GOOD thing !

Follow your own path Antoni.....

Hmm.. teachers pet ! Now everyone's going to HATE me !!! :o(

Answer 2

The, so called, "rules" of composition are based on centuries of observing human psychology.

There can be elements of an image that, while not immediately identifiable to most, may cause an unexpected reaction in the viewer. If an artist could choose his audience, he would prefer someone with, absolutely NO training in the arts. It's is one of those cases where a little knowledge can be dangerous.

Some one could look at an image that is not "centered" and make a bald statement that something is wrong with it BECAUSE it is no centered. And yet, the point of the image may be to create a "tension" in the viewer, to illustrate movement and interest.

Another example. The best, most interesting portraits are not full frontal, faces and torsos, but, rather, 3/4 views of the face, where the eyes are NOT directed at the camera. These portraits are not, necessarily centered, but they ARE balanced, with pleasing proportions of background and subject, light and dark, face and clothing.

My background and training is as an illustrator and designer, but the principles of composition appy, equally in photography, whether commercial or artistic.

I used to have an art teacher that was fond of saying, "There are no rules to good design. But, these are the rules of good design. And the last rule of good design is that there are no rules!"

What she meant was, "If it works, it's good. If you KNOW what will work, then you will produce more, and better art."

BTW. I don't like the horse. Not because it isn't centered, but I fail to see the point. It is NOT a portrait, or a natural study. Closer in on the eye would interest me more. Backing out to show the horse's entire face would, also, appeal to me more. Is it a failing of the photograph? Or is it, merely, that you and I have not made the connection that tells me what statement the photo makes?

Flip a coin. It does not matter. I may not be the audience at which the image is directed. Is there a single image, anywhere, photographic or illustrative, that appeals to 100% of humanity? I doubt it.

Ooh! Ooh! I went back to look at the photo. I, now, noticed the fence post and wire. NOW I see a beast, longing for an unobtainable freedom beyond the fence. His entire world consists of the, barely, perceived landscape behind him. I can EASILY superimpose a human face, framed in just about the same way as the horse's, crying out the same degree of forlorness. (more lighting on the fence could help.)

Did I get it? Did I win?

Answer 3

Everybody has their tastes, including me. You know I can be a bugger about landscapes with skewed horizons, but sometimes that's just fine with me. I can't even explain why sometimes I like and sometimes I don't. It's not even a matter of how two different people feel. It's a matter of how all of the elements in one image make me think of it as buildings about to collapse as opposed to an artistic rendering af the scene.

The "rule" says to put the eyes at the horizontal 1/3 from the top of a portrait, but some of the best shots have the eyes dead center. So do some of the worst. I don't take out my Golden Mean calipers before deciding if I like something or not.

And as Gryphon says, you have your day job with paying clients and then you have your fun time when you can shoot whatever you wish. Would you argue with a paying client about the composition of an image? Of course not. At least not if you want to get paid and get the call for the next job. Here, you can discount people (like me) who say that they don't like certain things about an image that you've shared. All you are really doing here is gathering opinions and hoping that you match up with more than you don't.

You have no idea if someone who says that the horse is not centered has even picked up a camera in their life. Their mum probably cracked them on the knuckles if they colored outside the lines.

Answer 4

In art school training we learn to use the golden mean for the focus point of our painting, drawings, etc. In photography basically the same technique is used in what is called "The Rule of Thirds."

Here is a link regarding its application in photography.

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/rule-of-thirds/

However, as all artists and photographers know, rules are often made to be broken. I personally love images that break the borders and run off the page—better yet if there is a large area of uniquely shaped negative space.

Centering is not considered artistic in either art or photography. But there are also other things to consider such as the elements of design.

That shadow on the side of the horse, by the way, could be contrasted just slightly in Photoshop so the viewer could see some detail. (smile)

Answer 5

As long as the images you take you are happy with, and if it's a paying gig, the clients are happy with, then it doesn't mater what the "others" think.

Your style is your own. That's why it is so important that people look at portfolios of photographers before hiring them. The client needs to make sure that the images the photographer takes meet their requirements and have asthetic appeal that mixes well with the clients expectations.

I'm convinced that when people are not happy with their photographer, 99% of the time it's because they didn't look at a portfolio first and determine that the photographer was a good match. They just went on price or on the recommendation of a friend.

I know that I love Franz Lantings work, but I don't like every picture he takes. While he might be a great nature photographer, he may not have the same level of ewxcellence when it comes to portraits. Don't know...but I'd want to see a portfoilio of his people work before hiring him.

Answer 6

If your speaking esthetics, people like what they like, for their own reasons. Their are too many reasons to list.

It doesnt matter if the eye is untrained, or trained, everybody sees what they see, and gets their own unique view of the subject, based on all of their expereinces, whether or not it is something that someone else see's.

Answer 7

I could be wrong, but I have a sneaking suspicion this is just a ruse to get us to look at your photographs and then possibly compliment you.

Answer 8

I agree with YOU! I find normal to be boring. In all art forms, as in people, I like the unique.