I've noticed that I prefer to shoot wide, bringing in the components that add to the composition like the lighted windows giving balance. But would the intimacy of the story be more brought out by a tighter crop?
I played with it to see what each looked and felt like . Each has a different effect. In this one, I like the balance provided by the smaller window to the right and the repetition of the lines. The 'little' glimpse of the person is rich in complexity and meaning
@ankers70 I'm so pleased that you tried the two out to see the effect. I ended up liking the balance of the two smaller windows on top -- although when I straighten the lines it made the top very tight. I'm now thinking that I tend to prefer more environmental scenes although I recognize it makes the viewer more of a distant observer.
This wider frame sets the mood and tells the story. A closer look would certainly be very interesting, but that would be another story. As photography instructors say: take a wide frame and show the detail.
I liked the opportunity to discuss composition etc. Unless someone asks for critique or commentary, I am a bit reluctant in case it is taken as criticism.
I guess your point is about 'the photographer's gaze' and the complex relationship between the observer, the observed and then the audience. In our times of ubiquitous networked photographic and other images, questions of distance, intimacy, watching, surveillance and so on, and of where we position ourselves as photographers are really interesting. A bit of a rave about stuff that interests me, sorry!
NB. More generally, I am enjoying your Cuba pics. @jyokota
I seem to be in the minority here…I think a bunch off the top and trimming the black edges off thesideswouldstillgive sense of space but really dram me in
@ankers70 Thank you, Suzanne. I always love critique, discussions, and any commentary so please feel free to give feedback any time! Your commentary is perfect -- thank you for it! I always mull over my compositions, and almost always shooter a bit wider and then crop to get my composition the way I want it. I have been posting these on instagram, which requires the 4 x 5 format and I tend to prefer the 4 x 6 proportions.
@taffy thanks for your comment on sense of place. @jgpittenger are you saying keep the window on the right but crop out most of the top and the black sides?
@danette@rickster549 -- thank you both for your comments. @jgpittenger has suggested I consider printing on metal so perhaps I will put a series together to make a small grouping for my wall.
I guess your point is about 'the photographer's gaze' and the complex relationship between the observer, the observed and then the audience. In our times of ubiquitous networked photographic and other images, questions of distance, intimacy, watching, surveillance and so on, and of where we position ourselves as photographers are really interesting. A bit of a rave about stuff that interests me, sorry!
NB. More generally, I am enjoying your Cuba pics.
@jyokota