For this assignment, I created a derivative image by cropping an original photo that I took of my dog. The original image included extra background space and distracting elements that competed with her. In the cropped version, I used the Rule of Thirds by positioning her on the right third of the frame and keeping the birthday gift bag on the left third, creating a more balanced composition. The tighter crop also simplifies the background and strengthens the focal point, drawing attention to her expression and the birthday girl theme.
Original image: Birthday Girl (Original) by Viviana Mendiola, original photo (personal photo).
Derivative image: Birthday Girl Spotlight (Derivative) by Viviana Mendiola, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
Resource: Cropping Photos Guide
Hi Viviana. I immediately connected with your picture, as this is such a fun picture you took. And as a dog owner and lover, I also truly enjoy taking pictures of my own furry children. I liked how your crop really helps your dog become the clear focus of the photo. Your choice of placing her on the right and the gift bag on the left makes it more balanced and showcases the birthday theme right away.
One small thing I did notice is that the crop cuts off part of her ear, which caught my eye a little, as it probably was not intentional.
Overall, the crop puts all the attention where it belongs, on the birthday girl, and she looks very happy to have such a loving family.
Hello Viviana! What a fun photo, and you have a very cooperative doggie who poses very well for photos. I think you did a good job eliminating the excess in the background of the photo, which served to really pull the attention to your dog and her birthday items. I can see the rule of threes happening with the bones, birthday card, and the birthday girl herself. As Edward mentioned, I also noticed the ear was cropped out a little bit as well as a portion of the card.