Here's a question for anyone with an eye for design. Which one of the versions of the image below do you prefer and can you say why? Version A is what was actually shot, but Version B, it's mirror image, looks better to my eye. The balance of both should be identical, except that different subject matter falls in the right and left sides of the image and perception may be asymetrical.
Version A
Version B
version B is more dramatic
because it reverses the left-to-right expectation of the usual crescendo of our society's left-to-right reading habit - the tallest building is first instead of the gradual build up left-to-right
paradigm shift - altered expectation, like the punch line in a joke
> version B is more dramatic because it reverses the left-to-right expectation of the usual crescendo of our society's left-to-right reading habit - the tallest building is first instead of the gradual build up left-to-right
Yes, David, I think that there is an implied narrative in both photos that runs from left to right and that of Version B just seems more interesting or natural, somehow.
I also like B better.
A seems like it's to heavy on the right and you almost feel like the picture wants to tip to the right.
B which should be the opposite just does not have that same overweight feel.
Deral
I also like B a little better. While I can't explain it, B seems to have a little more depth and A seems a little flatter.
I'll be the odd duck and pick "A".
My eye notices the tilt shift a little less in "A"
Rick
Wrong Category Kent
All this Left/Right talk means this thread belongs in P & R.
Paul in PA
Version B has the "Upper Left" gradually moving to the lower right. People read left to right. The eyes will find it more comforting. The photographer is real close to getting the 2/3 rds rule complete. If you have studied art then I'm sure you've read about the rules of positioning (no...that is not an attempt to have this moved to the surveying category).
Left to right is a dominate brain response in aesthetics, but in addition to that, the mirror image fools the mind into thinking the twin structures are in the foreground even though they aren't. That is why design wise, it looks better. It is the Parthenon affect at work in design that creates a false depth perception. The builders of the Parthenon decreased the height of the foundational stairs from the center of the building outward slightly to trick the mind into thinking the center of the building was larger and slightly protruding in stature even though the face of the building was perfectly flat.
I would bet if those shipping containers in the foreground were not present, a glance at the photo would result in most believing those twin towers were in the foreground.
AS3
I would also go with "B". The position of the thunderhead cloud becomes much more prominent in relation to the industrial building. It is sort of a man versus nature contrast with all it's philosophical permutations.
Oh well, I prefer A
I think it holds a more classical and vintage look of an architectural photo.
It seems to contrast better to me for some strange and unknown reason.
Maybe it is that left to right thing, but I don't think so.
I would tweak the contrast a little.
Just my opinion
I must be odd, because they look aesthetically the same to me.
I was thinking that I must be odd.
I do think the cloud/sky background contrasts better in A with the structure image.
Robert,
I agree the contrast is better for the clouds in "A" but, that's usually a development thing. Of course nowadays with digital software it can be easily adjusted. Back in my college days it took a bit more effort to create the effect. I had several filters for my lenses that helped. I mostly worked in B&W where you could have a different effect by "Pushing" or "Pulling" the film which was a changing of the ISO. It was very useful when white on white (say a snowscape scene) or night time stuff. In other words setting your camera for ISO 800 when your film was meant for let's say a 400 speed. This was useful when taking a photo like the one shown to bring out contrast. Then, while developing your negatives you simply keep it in the canister longer. And polycontrast filters did the same.
I prefer A. I seem to comprehend the subject matter of the photo quicker. Might have something to do with being right eye dominant.
> I would also go with "B". The position of the thunderhead cloud becomes much more prominent in relation to the industrial building. It is sort of a man versus nature contrast with all it's philosophical permutations.
Well, my eye sees the clouds as a sort of paraphrase of the buildings since the forms are similar. In Version B, the fact that the clouds lag the buildings in the left-to-right sequence makes it easier to interpret them as being produced by the buildings, rather than the other way around.
I choose A.
Again it is the left to right thing. In A, the first thing your eye sees is light on the clouds. In B, it is darkness. The feel of A to me is just lighter than the darkness of B. B comes across as foreboding while A is more normal looking.
To add a deeper element to it, I wonder which hand is dominant in each persons answer. I wonder if it has anything to do with left brained/ right brained. I am left handed.
AM vs. PM
The other element is that while the viewer may not be conscious of it, the light in one image is clearly a morning lighting condition (in the northern hemisphere) and the other afternoon.
AM vs. PM
Is that a photo of McMoundfinder Enterprises facility?
AM vs. PM
But the clouds have not changed? look closely...
