2020 Photo Challenge #28

July’s theme / technique: Being Creative with Space

The six visual keys to a great photograph are:

    • Patterns
    • Texture
    • Lines
    • Light
    • Depth of field
    • Space

Being Creative with space. Space is a difficult one to explain in photography. When is it too much? When is it not enough? Generally speaking it refers to the empty or negative space around your subject. Usually sky or water or some bland background.

    • If the subject is looking away from the camera leave space for your subject to look into – this creates a sense of mystery.
    • The same applies in an active shot where an animal or a bird or a person is moving. This requires space to move into whether running, jumping, walking or flying. Leaving empty space creates a more dynamic scene.
    • Empty space can create an air of mystery. A story.
    • Create three dimensional space by shooting for a broad range of tones, from bright highlights to dark shadows, and varying shades in between.
This week's assignment - find a subject and try to create a dynamic scene. Then break the rule and create some tension in your photograph (such as a person staring at the edge of the frame / walking out of the frame / tightly cropped inside the frame). Try comparing the two scenes to see which works the best. Empty space or not?

These photos come from the time when the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh were given the freedom of the town of Ludlow along with Taffy the regimental goat.

The first image is of the soldiers marching towards me in the market square. With quite a bit of space for them to walk into.

Next shot is of them approaching much closer to where I was standing. Here the soldiers on the right still have room to move, but Taffy and his handler are almost walking out of the frame.

And a final shot when the space around them is very tight.

Which is your favourite?

If you would like to join in with the 2020 photo challenge then please take a look at my 2020 Photo Challenge page. No complicated rules, just a camera required 🙂

    • Create your own post with some information about how you composed the shot.
    • Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
    • Add the tag #2020PhotoChallenge so everyone can find your entry easily in the WP Reader
    • Get your post(s) in by the end of the month, as the new theme comes out on the first Sunday in August.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

31 thoughts on “2020 Photo Challenge #28”

  1. Well, I love the goat so I’ll choose number 3 please. Way back in the unremembered pre-pandemic lockdown days, I began an introductory photography course and expressed my desire to participate in these challenges. When the course ceased due to lockdown, we were sent ideas by email to extend what we had learnt until we could begin classes again. I haven’t done any of either. I have come to the reluctant conclusion that I am not a photographer. But you are one, Jude, and for that I am grateful because I get to enjoy your fabulous photos of Cornwall, flowers and goats. 🙂

    1. Well it’s just nice that you visit me Heather, participation is completely voluntary and without having set myself goals this year I would probably be a reluctant photographer too!

      1. I was on a walk with a friend today along the Bellarine Rail Trail. The wattle is just starting to flower and I remembered running along there when it was in full bloom and thinking at the time I should come back at a slower pace and take some photos. So it’s on my radar to get on the bike and ride along that route in about a week or so when the wattle is in full bloom and get out the camera. Maybe there will be a post. Not necessarily challenge related but at least photography related. 🙂

    1. I should have linked to your Squares as the last photo of Taffy is square and definitely a different perspective 😁

        1. I had another look and have changed my mind, the diagonal does work well in that composition plus Taffy is looking at the camera. Thanks for pointing that out.

  6. It feels like it was so long ago since I last popped in to say hi. I think I’m turning into a hermit.

    My camera and I have become strangers over the past several months. You know that life isn’t the same anymore when photos of a parade with crowds on the sidelines look odd 😉

    1. I’m very much turning into a recluse too Jo. No desire to stray far from home though I did have a sneaky visit to my daughter’s house a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed that very much. I am using my camera phone most often now as I am not going anywhere different. Lovely to see you again 😁😍

      1. Yes, thanks! Felt a little scary leaving home but it was easy to social distance and so much cooler! In fact, more like Hartlepool on a night when the sea fog came in 🤣🤣

  9. I like all these for different reasons, but have a sneaking fondness for the goat portrait at Number Three. I sense that yet again I’m not going to be joining in at the right time. I love your challenges which make me think. But out and about locally, I just haven’t been able to make the right opportunities, and I haven’t found quite what I want in my archive either. I’ll let you know when it happens. November??

    1. No worries Margaret, at least they are getting you thinking and I am just happy that you visit my site and take the trouble to comment ☺️

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