Object In Different Positions In The Frame

This exercise was to take a picture of the same object against a reasonably plain background with the object in different places within the frame. 

These pictures were taken on the outskirts of the dessert just outside the city of Dubai.  The dessert goes on and on, eventually becoming more hill but at this point very flat – it seemed to fit the brief of a featureless background.  In a 4x4 it is possible to drive endlessly through the dessert and this is something that I enjoy doing very much – indeed it is why I bought a 4x4 Jeep.  As I was by myself I could not venture out to far and it is visible in the picture that at this point, the car is on a track.  Directly behind this point there are buildings! I chose to take the pictures facing away from this and by excluding the background it is not possible to tell if these pictures are in the middle of nowhere or right on the outskirts of the town.

The first picture was taken simply by getting out of the car, walking a few paces and then just turning around and taking the picture straight off.  The picture turned out with the car in the middle of the frame.  It looks a bit static and the horizon is cutting through the middle of the car, as this can be seen through the windows, it draws attention when looking at the car.

 

Initial Non-composed Shot

The remainder of the pictures were taken with the car at different places around the frame: Top Centre, Top Left, Top Right, Middle Centre, Middle Left, Middle Right, Bottom Centre, Bottom Left and Bottom Right. 

The pictures where the car is to the left do not look right at all.  The car looks to be literally driving out of the frame – even though it is possible to see that there is no driver. 

 

Bottom Left

Top Left

Middle Left

The pictures with the car in the centre rectify this to some extent but the positioning is still similar to the original photograph, the car looks very static. 

 

Bottom Centre

Top Centre

The pictures with the car to the right look much more natural, the car has space to drive into.

With the car in the top corner, the perspective of the background has changed; it does not seem to flow out into the distance.  

Top Right

With the car in the middle, I much prefer the background which now looks to extend away but the horizon split is still visible through the windows.  

Middle Right

With the car in the bottom corner, the horizon still cuts the car but not in the windows, the background appears to expand away more giving a better feel of the vastness of the dessert and this is enhanced further with a matching big sky.  Oddly, I think there is a 'rule' that says don't put horizons in the centre of a picture and that is where this one has ended up however on this occasion it helps emphasise the size of the dessert and the sky and works well.

Bottom Right

My favourite is therefore the picture with the car in the bottom right corner