single photos Roadside Church - Somewhere between Fort Summner and Roswell (New Mexico)

I'm hoping to take my involvment in photography from hobbyist to pro

(in one form or another) and I figured this would be a good place to

hang and learn from as well as to look for pointers / comments /

criticizm / etc.

Soooo - here is one of my recent pix :-)

Thanks for the input. Allow me explain my thoughts on the composition on response to your comments.

1.) Too much space around building.

My thought is that, with out the space the picture would loose its' context. I wanted to show the building in its' surrounding rather than *just* the building. I feel it would have lost it's impact had I taken the shot any closer in.

2.) Too centered.

I did this as well for, what I thought at the time was a good idea. If I pull the building in to the right I loose a chunk of sidewalk I wanted to preserve. If I pull the image to the right . . . well, I guess that would not have hurt the picture I had in my mind to start with all that much now that I think about it :-)

3.) Horizon crooked

I did that on purpose. It is roughly in line with the sidewalk and the top and bottom edges of the front of the building.

I actually took about five shots of this building. Three are shot on 35mm film and two are digital. At least one is a straight on shot. I will crop it a bit and test your ideas.

Thanks again for your input.

Is there anyone who would like to explain to me the concepts here? Is a centered image always considered less than desirable? Must a building always be shot closer in for it to be considered aesthetically pleasing? Should I always shoot the horizon straight on?

Are these things generally considered to be good practice? Or are they mostly a matter of taste

As previous comments, I dont have any problems with the centering - I think that there's no reason not to, and it works.

But I do feel the pic should be straight. I've had a quick go (not exactly exhaustive) and I think that straightening the horizon gives a more interesting perspective somehow. End of the day, it's up to you, but if I was hanging a pic on my wall it would have to have a straight horizon I think...

Hmm. . . I don't have a problem with the crop. I still like the horizon at an angle tho -I think I may be the only one. . . :-)

Thanks for the input!

"Should I always shoot the horizon straight on?"

yes, expecially under "Architecture".

People can build (or nature can move...) buildings not perpendicular, but this is not Pisa...

The building in the centre is ok for me, but, for the reason you've explained, a far point of view would enhance the "impact" .

I still don't agree. Think outside the box man. You gonna do everything 'they' tell you to do because 'they' say it is correct.

Sounds like a lot of folks here think we are lemmings.

Break the rules. Hell, break the law - just don't get caught :-)

Why limit yourself just because 'they' tell you it has to be that way?

Just an opinion :-)