Breaking the "Rules"

It is a quite pleasing image. He looks like he's putting on the brakes to keep from running into the left side of the frame.

It does break the rule, and frankly it'd be nice if there was at least a bit more room on the left. But, you're right, the more you look at it the more it grows on you.

Rules? What RULES?! I consider them only suggestions to consider....
THis is great! definitewlt different, and that is always a "plus" with me.
Nice detail in most of the blacks, anmd the red plant stuff is a fine counterpoint to the black bird.
Having said that, I'd also like to see a version as a pano, with more room on the left, but no less on the right.

Sandy r

Definitely worth trying different styles and compositions whenever you get the chance to do so. but my preference here would be a more centered placement as I don't really look at the "empty" right half of this. I think I'd also like that 1/3rd stop ec added back in to brighten this up a little.

I love the posture of this grackle and the frozen moment a lot.

Anybody that doesn't think outside the box never explores. Good for you for taking a hard look at an image that wouldn't be considered the "norm". The more I look at it the more I like it.

The leaping pose and dark cloak seems somehow sinister to me. Love the way the dark feathers and yellow eye contrast with the earthy greens and orange in the environment. I like the unconventional composition although Richard's suggestion would be good too.

I like this. Some fellow amateur photographers and I were having a discussion just this afternoon about this rule/guideline; I get the sense that some people are more bothered by a subject exiting the frame than others.

I sometimes prefer shots with this kind of non-traditional composition and your photo is definitely one of those times. I feel like it is more dramatic and provocative and interesting. I don't find it restful, but that only matters if you want a restful picture hanging on your wall. The fact it puts me a bit on edge (like an accident about to happen) is part of what I like - I think it's neat to have a still photo create a sense of tension in the observer.

Maybe that's supposed to be a bad thing, I don't know - I'm new at all this. :-)

interesting composition, Tom, I do agree that it grows on you. I like the leaping pose and the way he is barely staying in the frame.

Hi Tom,
Just not working for me. Whatever I say here is not directed at you.
I think anyone that lives by and never deviates from the conventional rules of composition is what I call book trained. The rules of composition are guidelines not RULES to live by. However these rules are not something a single photographer wrote down somewhere in the past and are gospel. These so called rules are a result of many years of successful photography that for whatever reason is pleasing to the human viewer. Having any subject nosed up against the edge of the frame is just not pleasing TO ME. How would you feel if you paid big bucks for a studio photographer to take a portrait of yourself and he presented you with a profile shot with your nose edged up against the frame. I have nothing against trying things differently but just because it's different doesn't necessarily make it better.
I applaud Tom for trying something nonconventional and going against the grain.

Ronnie

Love the action in this shot! Very bnice timing on this capture and excellent details. Rules??? WE as artists make up the rules, so WE as artists can break them or change them anytime we see fit....and this is one of those times where it makes sense!