The Dress

Very nice, but the subject is dead center.

I really do like it better that way, and I like horizontal shots better, generally. The subject has to be shot in the center because of the lens (unless I want only one side of it in focus), but if I back off just a little, I'll have more background to crop from.

Teresa: You could mount the lens off-center in a lens board. Then bevel all the edges so you can rotate the lens board to any position needed to achieve your composition.

I feel like an idiot for lamenting how I don't have horizontal movements with this camera!

 

On the other hand, my lens is almost as big as my lens board, so I won't get much shift that way. It's worth a try though - even a little bit would help.

Theresa; Speed Graphics do have some horizontal movement. There is a small metal tang centered at the bottom of your front standard. Unless your camera has been modified you can depress this and then move the front standard left or right.

If you camera has been modified and you need a new front standard I have a spare.

John,

 

Thanks, I never knew that. It's a little grungy there but it moves.

 

So what have you been doing with YOUR speed graphic?! Why all these spare parts?

Wow I'm thrilled I stumbled onto your folder! I happen to prefer this centered and that is normally not my preference. It really is a somber shot and I think the dress being centered adds to the solitude. I've really enjoyed seeing your work.

I'm still on the fence. I center things on purpose when I want the subject to be in your face and when the background is bland, but here the background is interesting and I only centered because of technical limits.

 

In general I think the "rules" of composion are lost on you if you weren't born with them because that's not how you see. But they're worth a try sometimes :) There is a goldmine of good suggestions and technical help on this site!