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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 149 - Breaking the Rules >> Challange 149 - Exhibition > 3rd: Flowery Branch by Cat
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09-APR-2005 © Cat

3rd: Flowery Branch by Cat

10303
"X-ray Type"

Rules broken:
Rule for Details: Details must be preserved in highlights and Shadows areas in a photo.
Rule for "good histogram" see: http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/key=histogram
Rule for dynamic range: "One must avoid loss of dynamic range in a photo"
Rule for "Avoid clipping" Highlight and Shadows should not be "clipped" This is detectable from the histogram when one sees a peak at the Left "0" or Right "255" edges
Why it works: The extreme contrast (check histogram) in the photo, gives it a very pleasing look. There are no details in the shadows and highlights, resulting in the faint translucence of the flowers against the stark white background and black branches giving an unnatural look further enhances by the toning.

Canon EOS 20D
1/250s f/8.0 at 34.0mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time09-Apr-2005 18:40:49
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 20D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length34 mm
Exposure Time1/250 sec
Aperturef/8
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Modepartial (6)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programshutter priority (2)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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ctfchallenge30-Dec-2007 17:06
Nicely done Cat - Kelly
ctfchallenge28-Dec-2007 21:38
No need to listen to me Cat; I thought you were breaking the rule of thirds! ;) -mcbit
ctfchallenge28-Dec-2007 19:49
Rules well broken! :) Qualified, of course!!! ~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge28-Dec-2007 19:38
Thanks Mc for your comments and insight!
-Cat
ctfchallenge28-Dec-2007 17:11
Lonnit, New rules broken mentioned in blue text.
-Cat
ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 22:41
We are in agreement - I didn't say the beauty of the image was coming from the rule of thirds either. There are many factors that make it beautiful, the rule of thirds merely gives it a solid foundation.

Very interesting spiral. I think, perhaps, we do see the flow, from the top flower, to the outside left ones, down and around the bottom ones. I do notice that my eyes tend to go the other way, as well, starting at the bottom pair, circling up the left, over to the right top, then being pulled downward by the mass of those below. There is no doubt that there is flow within the image. One cannot deny traveling through it, no matter what the path. Either way, the rule of thirds isn't acceptable as your broken rule, and I'm eagerly waiting to see which other rule you will choose to enter into the blue text. I repeat - SUCH a lovely image! ~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 22:23
Not sure about that one Cat! By ignoring around 50% of the flowers you have contrived to construct a spiral; even then it may not be 'golden'. Nice try though. ;) -mcbit
ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 20:22
Thanks for explanation Lonnit. However the beauty of the composition of this photo is *NOT* coming from the rules of 3rd. I don't see it that way. The beauty is coming from another pattern which remains hidden (and the viewer is oblivious to it) unless you go looking for it. Here it is:

The golden ratio.
- Cat
ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 19:04
Cat - the grid can often be applied to the image in a variety of ways, some more successful than others. Sometimes other rules come into play that help support one grid over another. You other example does indeed pale by comparison - one of the rules it breaks, without success, is having too much white space above. It makes it look like the image is slipping out of its picture frame. This composition, here, is a far better use of the rule of thirds b/c it also respects the rule of empty space. This image is indeed following the rule of thirds, and therefor cannot qualify by that rule. Please, instead, enter it via one of the other rules you have so successfully broken. It is truly a lovely image in composition and tone. Excellent work! ! Lonnit

ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 17:21
To prove my point I have recomposed the photo to follow rules of third and the result is a disaster:
http://upload.pbase.com/image/90856548
-Cat
There are several other rules broken in this photo and I can give them as example to get this photo in. But the one which makes or breaks this comp is the rules of third.
ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 17:09
Lonnit,
I don't agree with you at all. Not even a bit.
When you have so many elements in the photo, something is going to fall on the junctions somewhere. So you cannot use those elements to point out that photo follows the rules of third. That is a long shot.
I would say the anchoring point in this photo is Y shaped junction on the main branch, which is not on any of the junctions dictated by rules of third.

Please try some other reason to disqualify.
-Cat
ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 16:45
Indeed, yes, a beautiful photo, which adheres nicely to the rule of thirds. Your branch of flowers on the right runs directly up the line of thirds. The upper left flower sits on the upper left intersection of thirds, with it's branch leading directly to it. The lower left branch and flower sit right on the left line of thirds as well. The flower that reaches to the furthest left side of the image, sits directly on the lower line of thirds. Such a lovely image - I don't want it disqualified because certainly it would command many votes. Please search for a different rule - one that is truly broken, and resubmit. Lovely!!! Unqualified. ~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge27-Dec-2007 15:25
I think I've left this long enough to suggest that the artist has omitted their name. -mcbit