antique Photo41

At last something that I can comment negatively! Well, not real negatively but one of my pet peeves is when the subject matter “kisses” the edge of the image—which the back of the front shoe does. It’s not a biggie but it is something to watch. Every element in a photograph bares a relationship to the edge of the photograph and when the to seem to touch it make for an unusual feel to the photograph.

However, the most interesting thing about this photograph is balance, or rather imbalance. Every element in a photograph has a “weight” depending upon how strongly the element attracts the eye of the viewer. Needless to say in this photograph all the weight is with the pair of shoes. Most often the goal of the photographer is to properly balance the weights in the photograph so that it feels comfortable. There is no hard fast rule as to what will balance what, it simply depends upon the ability of the element to attract the viewer.  In this photograph there is nothing on the right to balance the weight of the shoes on the left.

I personally am of the opinion that when a photographer presents a photograph that it is composed the way that the photographer wants the photograph composed (unless otherwise stated.) Thus, I am assuming that the weight in this photograph is to the photographer’s liking so then it becomes a question, Why? Why does the photographer want the photograph so heavily off balance.

Reading a photograph depends upon the abilities as well as the experiences of the viewer as much as it does the photographer. In this case I do not know nor can guess the answer.

Should I be wrong, that maybe the consideration of balance did not occur to the photographer then the photograph could be better weighted, better balanced with a crop on the right and if possible extending the photograph slightly on the right so the sneaker does not kiss the edge.

Side note: I love sneakers and wear mine until they are threadbare—then I photograph them.

Best regards Elliot!

PDE