Under another bridge

[Artshot]

This is another bridge photo I took Sunday and decided not to include it because it seemed extremely top heavy.
I do like the photo and keep telling myself that it should be top heavy, because hey, I'm under a bridge!
Is it going too far?

[Manfred M]

I find these types of shots very difficult to pull off for two reasons.

The first one is what you have pointed out in this post, the balance of the image inherently looks strange and top heavy with all that dark mass on top.

The second is that one is shooting ins shadow. The human visual system has evolved to detect areas of high contrast or bright areas, which means they (in this shot) look at the bright areas on the sides of the bridge, rather than the subject itself. That tends to end up meaning that the eyes drift out of frame. When this happens, the composition is not working as well as one might hope.

Something I have been meaning to try (but haven't gotten around to yet) is to do a bracketed shot under a bridge with a tripod and then blend the images to darken the background and lighten the areas of the bridge in shade to see how that works out.

[pschlute]

I like it, I think the framing is spot on. The highlights on the right look blown to me and I think that detracts a bit. I also find the patches on the roof on the left side distracting, perhaps you could clone them out.

Would love to see a larger version

[Artshot]

Thanks for the replies. I seem to be most attracted to images with major problems. This bridge is close to home and I'll see how light and water change the photo over time.

[Geoff F]

To me, Art, this one has less of a 'top heavy' feel than your previous image.

While there is a large dark expanse at the top there remains some visible texture in that area and it is sufficiently unsymmetrical to create interest. Maybe I would consider a slight crop from the top and left side.

The difficulty is with that light coming directly towards you. A problem at the time of shooting and probably the only alternative would have been to shoot a bracketed exposure and then create some form of HDR type image.

However, looking from the current position, I think I might have a go at slightly reducing the brightness and see how that works out. Easier to achieve if you shot in Raw.

[zen]

I agree with others who are saying they like the image. The leading line coming from the upper left corner down to center, then around to the left a bit pulls the eye toward the building or buildings in the foggy distance - which gives an air of mystery about those buildings. I can't help but wonder what they are or what they are hiding. It's a bit top heavy, yes, but for me, those buildings in the distant fog have my attention.

I like it. Thanks for sharing.

Zen

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, has a sense of foreboding with the height of the bridge and the foggy environment.

[Wavelength]

Even though there is an apparent imbalance of heaviness, the total outcome is nice; i feel i am staying there and watching....

[george013]

This is another bridge photo I took Sunday and decided not to include it because it seemed extremely top heavy.
I do like the photo and keep telling myself that it should be top heavy, because hey, I'm under a bridge!
Is it going too far?

I like the picture and I don't know what you and others mean with top heavy. Maybe I read other books.

My first impression was there's something wrong on this picture. It's the balance I found for myself. The bridge makes a turn to the left but the horizon and bridge are leaning to the right. They suggest two opposite movements.

George

[sachtjen]

I'm with George on the balance. I don't find (or don't mind) that it's top heavy. I also don't mind the parts that are blown out. The bridge is large enough to be almost cave like that the whites create a light at end of the tunnel effect. However, the left to right balance creates a lot of tension for me. I really want to take a few steps to the right.

[Artshot]

This post has been an incredible learning experience for me. It's amazing to see how many different views, opinions, and suggestions can exist around the same photo. This is how I currently see it, do to your help.
Top heavy doesn't bother me any more than bottom heavy.
The bright light is a large part of the image, and not a focus point or a distraction. I don't look at the sun when I step outside.
The light reflected on the bottom of the bridge creates 3 separate geometries that work together.
The tilted horizon is me being lazy and should be corrected.
The position of the camera IS the photo, moving any amount in any direction and you have a different photo.
Is it possible to make it better with different lighting? I'm going to try.
Thanks again. All your help has inspired me to update my profile so you better understand who it is you are trying to help.

[george013]

The tilted horizon is me being lazy and should be corrected.

It's not that the horizon is a little tilted but the direction. It gives me a unnatural feeling. It would better as it was tilted to the other side. It's just the feeling. If you argue it, it's exactly the opposite, as you showed.
I do make that kind of pictures myself, from under the bridge. It's always a challenge, composition and exposure and PP.

George

[rachel]

Whatever the balance, it definitely creates a feeling of claustrophobia in me, I can feel the bridge not far above my head.