Lining up your subject in a way that's pleasing to the eye is simple if you just give yourself a moment to think about the photo you're taking rather than shooting something off quickly. When you are working with a collection of shapes and lines you'll find that by changing how much of the subject you include in your shot as well as where you crop will alter the feeling you get when you look at the photograph.
A great example of shapes, colors, leading lines, and even movement is Astro Orbiter. Climb aboard futuristic rockets in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom.
This is my first shot. It's fairly clean in the sense that there's nothing taking away from all of the circles, colors and lines. It all works together and there's just one rocket making it's way around.
In this picture, I've incorporated the top of a tree and more of the base of the towering geometric structure. This takes away from the fantasy of Intergalactic travel and plants it firmly in reality.
Finally, there's no sign of the base and very little of the tree. I've changed my angle so as to show part of the planet on the right and less of the rings encircling the planet on the far left. In doing so I've created a more dramatic leading line by cutting into the arc on the left and making it feel like it's closer than it actually is.
So as you see, there's a change in how we feel about each image. Which one do you like best?
These were taken from behind the Astro Orbiter, over by the restrooms and arcade with the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS.
Posted by Lisa Berton on June 24, 2009 5:00 AM | 
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Comments (3)
Nice post Lisa!
Too bad you couldn't photoshop a nicer colored sky into the picture.
Maybe a red sky for Mars? ;)
Posted by Dan | June 24, 2009 11:06 AM
Posted on June 24, 2009 11:06
I find posts like this so helpful! Your first shot is the one I think I would have composed, but I find the third to be the most eye-catching.
Changing the angle, bringing that central gold arc down and making it a focal point really gives the eye something to hone in on and makes the shot seem more deliberate. Cropping off the planet on the left really tightens things, I think, in a very effective way.
This is the first I've commented, but I subscribed last week and have been reading your archives. Thank you all for the time you put into this blog!
Lisa responds: Thanks for writing, Sarah. There are lots of great tips from Scott, Barrie, and myself in the Picture This! blog archives. Happy reading and keep shooting.
Posted by Sarah | June 24, 2009 8:23 PM
Posted on June 24, 2009 20:23
Hi Lisa~
Is this a trick question? lol....just kidding. Personally, I like #3.
Great shot, thanks :)
Becky*
Lisa responds: No, it's not a trick question...I don't think. Maybe I've tricked myself! ;-) Thanks for reading and writing in.
Posted by Becky | June 25, 2009 1:46 PM
Posted on June 25, 2009 13:46