Comparing two great photos - which is best?
July 16th 2011 23:04
France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (R) walks to the beach with her friend at the Fort de Bregancon in Bormes les Mimosas July 9, 2011.
The first of these photos is well composed, drawing on the rule of thirds.
It is of someone famous and pregnant, always a drawcard for a photo.
There is a clear stretch of blue sky contrasting with the stone and texture of the lower third of the photo.
The muted colours of the sandstone and the textures therein are an effective foil for the focus of the photo, which after all is the two people, with the pink of Carla's frock being attractive and restive to the eye and emotions, in contrast with, but to complement the blue sky. No harshness here and the viewer feels comfortable and relaxed. Carla's hair and her friend's hat add extra interest, although not something that a photographer would be immediately aware of as he aligned his shot.
The angles and the contrast of straight lines and curved wall show a definitive geometry and the line separating sky and path is a sharp dividor.
One hat on and one hat off and the contrast of the colours of Carla's attire contrast with the pale almost colourless attire of her friend and this is further accented by the straw coloured hat and the blue one, one hat clearly on the head and well formed add an extra dimension to the photo with Carla's clear blue hat held, almost shapeless in her hand.
This is a picture which will appeal to many, most of whom would not be aware of the skill of the photographer just interested in the famous celebrity and her pregnant relaxed form heading for the beach.
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy go to the beach at Fort de Bregancon in Bormes les Mimosas July 9, 2011.
REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
The second image has less colour, it's almost colourless by contrast, and the identity of the people without a caption barely recognisable. It is more of a photographer's photograph than just a nice picture. Although both photos are by obviously skilled photographers.
The curve of wall and straight line of path is more accented than in the first photo. But here we have the intrigue of the shadows and the pregnancy is not highlighted, in fact from a rear view most would not recognize the people and their celebrity status, which gives merit to the photo in its own right.
We have the same contrast in textures by the stoney path and wall but without the advantage of bright sunlight. There is atmosphere in this photo and the couple might almost be unknown, which places an increased burden on the photographer to produce a good effect with his phtography skills, once again the photo is well composed and is taken from a great perspective
For the average viewer I'd rate the first as a clear winner, but from a skilled photography point of view I'd give my vote to the second, not just a picture but indeed a photograh.
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