How could I improve the composition and editing of this truck photo?
Asked 8/16/2011
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2 answers
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I’m new to photography and borrowed a Canon EOS 300D with a 17–85mm lens. I photographed two rusty trucks parked behind each other because I liked the contrast between their worn bodies and the good tires on the rear truck. My idea was to emphasize that contrast and give the image a positive message.
I tried to use the rule of thirds by placing the “Goodyear” tire area and the front hitch near the vertical thirds lines. The photo was taken at 85mm, f/16, 1/51s, ISO 200. In processing, I increased contrast and saturation heavily for a more dramatic look.
What could I do better with both composition and post-processing to make the subject clearer and the image stronger?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
9
The book that you read, that told you to put contrast and saturation to the maximum for dramatic effect should be thrown out and or burned.
For the composition, if you wanted us to know that the car in front was an important part of the image, I would have taken a few steps back to your right when taking the shot, to get more of an angle of both cars.
It sounds like the important pieces of the image are the car bodies, and the tires. If that is the case I would try a larger aperture(smaller number on the camera) to put the background out of focus, and remove it as a distraction.
Props for putting an image up online for critique so early in your photography career! That takes bravery!
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
15y ago
0
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The main issue is that the subject isn’t clearly isolated. If the important elements are the rusty truck bodies and the tire, try changing your shooting position—stepping back and to the right would likely show both trucks more clearly and make their relationship easier to read.
The background also sounds distracting. Instead of shooting at f/16, use a wider aperture (smaller f-number) to create shallower depth of field so the trucks stand out more from the background.
For composition, the rule of thirds helps, but simply placing details on the thirds lines isn’t enough by itself. The subject still needs to stand out from the rest of the frame.
For editing, avoid pushing contrast and saturation to the maximum. That usually makes an image look unnatural rather than dramatic. A lighter touch will better support the mood without overwhelming the photo.
So: refine the angle, simplify distractions, use a wider aperture if possible, and edit more subtly.
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