Thursday 25 June 2015

P & P - People Interacting with Place - Exercise 4 - Balancing figure and space

This exercise asks for 2 images varying the balance of a person within the image

Its quite interesting looking at one of the example images where we have a figure moving right to left and is in the far left hand corner. Traditionally a moving subject would be allowed space within the frame to move into so that it adds a dynamic to the image. 

Of course this is what makes images sometimes great when traditional rules are broken and of course the digital photographer's rule applies....why not take multiple images varying the balance and select which one works best or fulfils your brief. Sometimes when you see the scene through the lens your eye and hands select a framing that seems natural to you at the time...I try and go with these feelings.


Image 1a



A closer image and the position of the camera suggests the photographer was also on the log. This creates an action feel and helps to involve the viewer as if being part of the activity and a strange sense of trying to maintain balance



Image 1b


In this image a change of camera position reveals more about the activity and perhaps the difficulty of the task and the drop to the left. In both images the subject is central, the second image with the log more diagonal gives a more dynamic feel and suggests the subject is moving across the log.

Both these images are of the same subject performing the same activity but a change of angle and focal length between the 2 images giving a different sense of balance within the image (no pun intended). Interestingly both give a different feel to the sense of risk in each.

Attempting this exercise again reminds of the importance of changing angle and focal length and how this changes the feel of the image.

The location is Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean, the location for many films and TV episodes. Well worth a visit if you are in this area:

Puzzlewood Forest





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