Extreme composition

[PeteB]

I have an interest in and like to experiment with special and/or extreme methods of composition. This method is based on a technique called the “one-corner” composition. It was invented by Ma Yuan, a 13th century Chinese painter. This is an image of a young lady playing the drums at a local event. I have cut her out of the background, applied a few filters. applied some d&b, and selectively smudged. Do you think this extreme composition works?  Do you think there is a "connection" between her expression and the emptiness of the frame?

[Lillias]

Nov 7, 2022 15:06:20 GMT PeteB said:

I have an interest in and like to experiment with special and/or extreme methods of composition. This method is based on a technique called the “one-corner” composition.

First of all PeteB I like your experimentation with ideas. I like to experiment myself. I haven’t heard of the ‘one corner’ composition but this one works for me. I specially like that you have done it as an OOB.

Nov 7, 2022 15:06:20 GMT PeteB said:

Do you think there is a "connection" between her expression and the emptiness of the frame?

That might be a step too far for me but it will be interesting to see what others think.

[tourerjim]

That's nice
I have seen this idea before but with a background that gives depth to the image, I have one amongst the many of my edits with a car more less where yours is and background of a road that looks like it stretches for miles.

[PeteB]

Lillias
Thanks for commenting. Regarding her expression, she was in a School of Rock band where band members changed with every song. As I watched, she appeared to be concentrating and watching the other band members. Not wanting to make a mistake, she just seemed to block out everything. When I put her in this big empty space, I hoped some of that look of concentration would carry over. Thanks again for commenting.


Jim
Thanks for commenting. I like your suggestion and I may “experiment” with that approach.

[pontiac1940]

Hi PeteB  
As Lillias said good for you for trying these "off the wall" things.
It is too much for me. Too extreme. To my eye there is a contradiction between vast open space and the level of detail in the drummer. And the placement of the drummer is too extreme. If this was to be used as a poster with some text, then that would be fine.  

I am thinking alone the lines minimalist Japanese art, minimalist Asian art or minimalist Chinese art. If you Google Images these topics a lot of examples are shown. Generally, the subjects shown are 1) simple and 2) still in the main part of the frame. That make sense? 

Offsetting the subject is good, but I think this is a tad extreme. 

Clive 

EDIT: I just saw you explanation. That makes sense. So then your image describes what you saw, but perhaps is lost in others who were not aware of the context. 

[hmca]

Pete, let me preface this by saying that this is just my general impression, and may be completely off base; as I often turn to you for composition suggestions.

I began by looking at some of the art you linked to. I then looked for other images that seemed to fit this technique.

You have done a great job extracting the subject. What doesn't seem to work for me is that the image of the drummer is so compact.....she kind of looks "stuck" in the corner.
I "think" the composition might work better with an image that is more "flowy".  

This sounds like the kind of an assignment that the woman VickiD and I took lessons from would assign. She may have some thoughts on this as well.

And it also sound like a great topic for members to attempt.   I hope that tourerjim will share his image.



Note.....I didn't see Clive or Pete's comments above when typing.....took me too long to try to put my thoughts together.  

[VickiD]

Pete, this is an interesting composition, such as it is. I'm not a fan of her placement outside the edge of the frame. While I really like the job you did extracting her, her placement hits a nerve and reverberates...it jangles that nerve. Maybe if there were an additional frame/border that included her, I'd feel better about it. All that said, I understand what you were trying to achieve...however it only works for you. No one else knows the reasoning for the composition. Well...we do now, but if it were hanging in a gallery, we wouldn't

I agree with Helen about our former instructor...she would adore this type of image!!! (...and make us crazy trying to achieve her vision!)

I applaud your willingness to try this and other extremes in photos, Pete!

[cats4jan]

I disagree with Vicki and others who aren’t happy with the girl sitting on the border. I think the placement on the border makes for an interesting design choice, but as a digital scrapper I would like to see more of a page. I know that wasn’t the purpose of the page, it was designed just the way it was supposed to be, but it just goes to show how we each look at a design and get a different vibe from it.  

For me, the design needs some background color.  Plus, I would like to see a more complex frame for her to “sit on”.  

The idea of “white space” is a common choice in digital scrapbooking, but that phrasing doesn’t literally mean a plain white background. It means grouping your components in a space on your page - for me, usually a corner - and leaving the rest of the page empty except for the background - which can be simple or complex. 

Here are some amazingly different takes on the concept of white space in digital scrapbooking. 
oscraps.com/community/threads/november-2021-challenge-6-white-space.34364/

[Lillias]

Thinking again about the question you asked in your opening post - “Do you think there is a connection between her expression and the emptiness of the frame?”
And comparing that with your later explanation that she was concentrating, watching other band members, not wanting to make a mistake etc...I would say I can definitely see her look of concentration I just wouldn’t necessarily have connected it with the emptiness of the frame.

That’s quite an interesting concept though but I think it would need an altogether different image to try and convey such a connection. This image is too busy, all the paraphernalia of the drum kit etc takes the attention away from her face. Perhaps an image with a sense of loneliness, depression or some such emotion as if looking into the abyss sort of thing might do that better.

You have certainly sparked our imaginations with this one PeteB .

[tourerjim]

Nov 7, 2022 19:38:11 GMT hmca said:

And it also sound like a great topic for members to attempt.   I hope that tourerjim will share his image.



Note.....I didn't see Clive or Pete's comments above when typing.....took me too long to try to put my thoughts together.  

After reading this, Helen, I've now gone in search of my image and will post it here later.

[PeteB]

Wow…. everyone thanks for commenting. Interesting comments and I think it reveals that we all like the “rules” of composition. I now realize that as I processed the image I must have felt that it needed “something”. So I added a drop shadow to the subject and further more added a frame-like stroke. When I posted the image, the area outside the  black stroke was lost (if you look closely you can see it) and also the drop shadow and the black stroke gave it an OOB effect. This was pointed out by Lillias. Then when Vicki commented about and additional border I then realized that I had added to the “special” composition.

Nov 8, 2022 5:15:44 GMT VickiD said:

Pete, this is an interesting composition,  Maybe if there were an additional frame/border that included her, I'd feel better about it. 

So here is the same image without the extras. I added a stroke as a border.   I am sure most of you will still feel the same but consider the fact that this extreme composition got attention….    I appreciate all the comments and I may try another image. Also I hope Jim can find his image which might be another take on this type of composition.  Thanks it is fun...

[hmca]

Nov 8, 2022 14:41:47 GMT PeteB said:

So here is the same image without the extras. I added a stroke as a border.   I am sure most of you will still feel the same but consider the fact that this extreme composition got attention….    I appreciate all the comments and I may try another image. Also I hope Jim can find his image which might be another take on this type of composition.  Thanks it is fun...

It certainly did get some attention and I appreciate your response, Pete. Reading the posts with an openness to differing viewpoints, while not necessarily agreeing, helps us all to grow. Thanks for sharing this technique with us.

[VickiD]

Pete, I do feel more comfortable with the new version you posted. I really do like white space in an image, so I like this one, now. This is just my personal opinion, of course!!!

[tourerjim]

Nov 8, 2022 12:35:42 GMT tourerjim said:

Nov 7, 2022 19:38:11 GMT hmca said:

And it also sound like a great topic for members to attempt.   I hope that tourerjim will share his image.



Note.....I didn't see Clive or Pete's comments above when typing.....took me too long to try to put my thoughts together.  

After reading this, Helen, I've now gone in search of my image and will post it here later.

Still looking for the picture I had in mind but found this one whilst searching, thought maybe better to show in my tourerjims gallery, Reference peteB extreme composition