Keep compositions simple to strenghten images

Lone Oak and Crescent Moon

Posted by Don Smith (California, United States) on 24 May 2012 in Landscape & Rural.

UPCOMING 2012 WORKSHOPS:

3rd Annual Kauai Workshop - Garden Isle and Tropical Paradise - June 22-26, 2012 (a few spots left)
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1st Annual Fall in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park - Fall Color, Mountain Grandeur, and Volcanic Forces - Deluxe Photo Workshop - September 24-28, 2012 (Workshop Sold Out)
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The old saying: Less is More is so important in any type of communication. As photographers/artists, we strive to convey meaningful visual messages. In my latest blog post, I discuss this minimalist concept and how it applies towards creating stronger compositions: Say More With Your Images by Adding Less to Your Composition.

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Comments (12)

Elaine Hancock from Rockville, United States

Beautiful! I love lone trees in a field. There is just a certain appeal. There is a tree I know of on a farm that was bought by a big company. The farm land is supposed to be a site for new houses. It makes me sad to think what might happen to the tree. The silhouette of the tree with the color and the moon is gorgeous!

24 May 2012 8:19pm

@Elaine Hancock: Had a similar experience with an old barn and large oak. I understand the need for development but it is sad when a certain location resonates with you only to see it destroyed.

DarkElf from Perth, Australia

minimalist perfection! classic example where less can be a lot more! the balance and beauty of this scene are brilliant!

25 May 2012 3:50am

@DarkElf: Thanks DarkElf!

Jeff from Honolulu, United States

Beautiful as always. Less is more, for sure. The gradiant light effect from the horizon upward is a fine way to set off the tree silhouette.

25 May 2012 9:50pm

@Jeff: Aloha Jeff, we'll be off to Kauai next month - can't wait!

Yonatan from New York, United States

Beautiful composition Don. I find these types of shots quite challenging as balancing the exposure and avoiding celestial movement is not an easy task.

26 May 2012 3:02am

@Yonatan: As a general rule, if your exposure time is under 15 seconds you are good to go. Here is another rough guideline: Divide your focal length (remember to factor any sensor crop) into 500. In this case, (500 / 200 = 2.5 seconds). Anything less than this and planets/stars will look fairly stable. The more you are looking north, the less this guideline applies.

Maria from California, United States

I like it.
It is very artistic...the way you composed the image...it would probably not even cross my mind to take such image...but must of all, I think I like the muted shades of blue and orange in the sky.= and the smooth way each one blends into each other...

26 May 2012 5:41am

@Maria: I very much appreciate you sharing your kind thoughts Maria!

Maria from California, United States

I meant "most" not "must" ...typo :)

26 May 2012 8:40pm

James Guillory Photography from Garner, United States

Smith, I really like this. Less is more. Beautiful...

27 May 2012 1:33am

@James Guillory Photography: Thanks Jimmy - did you get PSCS6 installed?

Hans ter Horst from Ruislip, United Kingdom

Fabulous shot, the automatic cropped Aminus3 thumbnail appeared empty, but I was well rewarded for clicking through!

28 May 2012 7:41am

@Hans ter Horst: Glad you did Hans. I will be in England/Scotland this summer - I'm very much looking forward to my trip!

James Guillory Photography from Garner, United States

Don, CS6 is on today's list of thing to do...

28 May 2012 12:53pm

@James Guillory Photography: Let me know how you like it!

Sylvie49 capture image from Anjou - Maine et Loire, France

compo and colors are excellentes !

28 May 2012 4:23pm

omid from mashhad, Iran

wooooooooooooooooooow!
very nice!
very nice!
so beautful colors & lights!

29 May 2012 10:20pm

KriKridesign from Suisse, Switzerland

One word: perfect.... what a feeling in there! Bump!

20 Jun 2012 2:57pm

next day →

Canon EOS 5D Mark III
5/2 seconds
F/16.0
ISO 100
200 mm