Exercise 7 – Object in different positions in the frame

It’s quite easy to find something like this around here – just go to the cliffs above the beach and there’ll be dog walkers, boats, birds or strollers. I settled on this couple who were obviously very much of an item and had the makings of a good shoot.

For this set I used the D200, as I had the remote trigger for it and I wanted to use my Sigma 170-500 lens – I’ve now got it permanently fixed on the camera, as it’s a bit of a beast to mount / remove. It’s set at 310 mm, f/8, 1/250 for all these images – the best I dared use in the breezy conditions. The camera mode was programme and the release was mirror up, using the radio release. 

This first image has the couple positioned fairly centrally in the frame – it’s not easy to get them dead centre using the ‘mirror up’ mode as they’ve moved slightly by the time the second release takes place.

I then positioned them to the centre left of the frame. I like this better, as it seems they’re walking into the picture, which just feels right to me and they’re still obviously the main subject, but they’ve a lot to look forward to.

 Positioned to the centre right just doesn’t look good with them walking out of the image. This could be the end of the experience!

Positioned towards the top of the image seems to make them more intimately together, as they’re now further away in their own space. I think this position suits the image better than the second picture.

At top left the couple seem too small in the frame.

 At top right they’re again too small and walking off the stage.

 At centre bottom they seem to be nearer the camera, although it’s only the framing that’s done it. The balance of the image doesn’t feel right and they’ve lost their own space.

 This is a little better, but still not as good as top centre image.

 And this is worse again – the way they’re going they could even end up getting cold feet!

 

So for this set of images, I feel the best one for me was with them positioned top centre.

Then just as I was packing up, this happened:

 And that’s the best of them all!

So the position in the frame is so important to make the image work. The final 'extra' image has the couple to the left of centre, but looking into the picture. Again, it's all part of the composition and what works for one image doesn't necessarily work for another.