I took the original photo (left) last year while on a trip to Utah. We were driving to the Salt Flats and had plenty of time to kill during the long car ride. I spent a decent portion of that time borrowing my younger brother’s camera and messing around with the different settings. For many pictures, I used my lollipop as a subject.
For the revision of the photo (right), I decided to crop the photo to un-center the lollipop using the rule of thirds. I feel like this actually serves to highlight the lollipop as the subject, even though it’s no longer in the middle. An additional benefit is that it crops out unnecessary details and simplifies the background by getting rid of most of the car window frame in the original picture’s right bottom corner. I also brightened the picture just the tiniest bit. Overall, I think the new photo is much clearer.
Original: “Lollipop Test Image” by Alyssa Mitchinson licensed by CC BY-NC 4.0.
Derivative: “Desert Lollipop” by Alyssa Mitchinson licensed by CC BY-NC 4.0.
I trusted that the Rule of Thirds really worked, but this is a great demonstration. By placing the lollipop off-center it draws so much more focus to it as a subject than having it in the center. I also think the second image gives the background more motion for some reason I can’t explain.
I love what you did with this photo. Something so simple as moving this lollipop over really made a difference in the quality of the photo. You have really elevated this with the rule of thirds and It has sincerely made a difference in the perception of the subject. The lollipop stands out and is more clear through this new perception you have utilized.
Hi Alyssa,
I realize I totally did not get this assignment when I did this… especially now that I see how you improved the photo you took with the simple cropping you had done in relation to the rules of thirds. By saturating the colors of the lollipop, it really – erm – POPS, and helps draw the focus to it as opposed to the external features, like the car and the distracting background. Now, the background serves the photo without pulling the attention away from the subject of it. Well done.