Guest Posted April 30, 2023 Share #1 Posted April 30, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am normally not a street photographer, but I came across this scene today, which I found quite interesting (different groups of people framed by street sign posts). I am not sure which aspect ratio works best here. What do you think, do you prefer an aspect ratio of 2:3 or 1:2 for this street scene? Thanks for your input. Photo taken with M10-R and Macro-Elmar-M, converted to Adobe Monochrome in Lightroom. 2:3 Version Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/376199-street-scene-23-or-12-aspect-ratio/?do=findComment&comment=4761483'>More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 30, 2023 Share #2 Posted April 30, 2023 1:2 Version Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/376199-street-scene-23-or-12-aspect-ratio/?do=findComment&comment=4761485'>More sharing options...
jankap Posted April 30, 2023 Share #3 Posted April 30, 2023 (edited) I prefer the 3:2 version in this case, but sometimes I have pictures, where I crop to the 16:9 ratio. Perhaps here are the vertical bars influencing. Edited April 30, 2023 by jankap Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Cantor Posted April 30, 2023 Share #4 Posted April 30, 2023 I prefer the tighter composition of 1:2. The walls and windows facing the camera do not add a great deal to the overall scene. David 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted April 30, 2023 Share #5 Posted April 30, 2023 I agree with David. that version also seems more appealing for its perceived greater contrast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
war Posted April 30, 2023 Share #6 Posted April 30, 2023 Your question interests me. I don't do street photography often, so I probably shouldn't even butt in, but I'd like to hear what those who do have to say. Would I be right in saying that street photography is not so much about composition but more about capturing the subject at a critical moment? (not that a well composed photo wouldn't elevate it) On that basis, even if the top photo is better composed and the windows get resolved, the bottom photo draws me more to the subject and the intent of the photographer. Wally Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lelmer Posted April 30, 2023 Share #7 Posted April 30, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) I prefer the 2:3 version, better balanced IMHO. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc B-C Posted April 30, 2023 Share #8 Posted April 30, 2023 1:2 version for me. The people are the interest point for me in this shot, not the architecture. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M Street Photographer Posted April 30, 2023 Share #9 Posted April 30, 2023 I have a fundamental problem with the composition and the many people. I don't see anything special about this cut, nothing exciting, or the feeling of wanting to discover something that isn't obvious. Rather, I would prefer to cut away everything on the left up to the motorcyclists and in the picture only the motorcyclists and on the right the two, one with a handbag, who want to cross the zebra crossing. This emphasizes a certain contrast between the motorcyclists and the two pedestrians. I hope you don't misunderstand my thoughts and that my criticism isn't too harsh. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 30, 2023 Share #10 Posted April 30, 2023 Thank you all for your opinions. Much appreciated! I tend to agree with the view that this is about people, not architecture, which speaks for 1:2. But the 2:3 aspect ratio gives more breathing space around the actors. I might try something in between, like 9:16. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M11 for me Posted May 1, 2023 Share #11 Posted May 1, 2023 maybe it needs something in the middle. To me there are too many people when just cutting to 2:1. I would be on the 3:2 side. But maybe just ry to cut something in between: more 3:2 than 2:1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted May 1, 2023 Share #12 Posted May 1, 2023 Have you considered a square crop? I think cutting it down to two groups might work quite well: the bikers and the couple about to cross the road, perhaps something like this: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/376199-street-scene-23-or-12-aspect-ratio/?do=findComment&comment=4761965'>More sharing options...
M11 for me Posted May 1, 2023 Share #13 Posted May 1, 2023 (edited) oh, great. I must say that this gives a much more focussed image. Much more of a story. I have to pull back my post above. Thank you @pop. Edited May 1, 2023 by M11 for me 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc B-C Posted May 1, 2023 Share #14 Posted May 1, 2023 I admit to not liking the square crop, the bikers are looking out of the frame and at unknown thing/ person. That cuts the story in my mind. I like the interaction with the pedestrian looking back at them in the 1:2 crop. Thankfully we are all individuals with different tastes. Each to their own. The bigger issue for me is the two signposts and the not quite framing of the couple. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Cantor Posted May 1, 2023 Share #15 Posted May 1, 2023 Just a thought. Why try to shoehorn the image into exact ratios like 3:2 or 1:2? I haven’t tried but why not experiment until you are happier with something that you like? David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted May 1, 2023 Share #16 Posted May 1, 2023 I am content with the 2:3-version. The two arcs on the left add something to the three arcs on the right. More important: the light. The bright upper left goes to the dark lower right led by the zebra stripes, which are in some way replicated by the shadow on the wall. With the 1:2 version I miss this. May be I am too "conservative" and it takes me a long way before I alter the ratio I see through the rangefinder. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted May 2, 2023 Share #17 Posted May 2, 2023 (edited) I've never felt compelled to stick with any predetermined crop. I frequently do try to compose based on what I see through the viewfinder but I have no problem cropping after the fact to remove elements that distract attention from what I'm trying to show. In this image, to my eye the important elements are the bikes, bikers, the couple they appear to be looking at (the woman is looking back at them), and the architectural detail of the windows, which give information about the area. Here's what I'd do with it, and yes there was a bit of Photoshop work. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited May 2, 2023 by fotografr Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/376199-street-scene-23-or-12-aspect-ratio/?do=findComment&comment=4763229'>More sharing options...
pop Posted May 2, 2023 Share #18 Posted May 2, 2023 4 minutes ago, fotografr said: I've never felt compelled to stick with any predetermined crop. I frequently do try to compose based on what I see through the viewfinder but I have no problem editing after the fact to remove elements that distract attention from what I'm trying to show. In this image, to my eye the important elements are the bikes, bikers, the couple they appear to be looking at (the woman is looking back at them), and the architectural detail of the windows, which give information about the area. Here's what I'd do with it, and yes there was a bit of Photoshop work. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Yes, this looks much less cramped than the square crop. Unfortunately, the bloke behind the woman becomes much more visible, or at least his right foot and hand do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted May 2, 2023 Share #19 Posted May 2, 2023 (edited) 19 minutes ago, pop said: Yes, this looks much less cramped than the square crop. Unfortunately, the bloke behind the woman becomes much more visible, or at least his right foot and hand do. I was so intent on the other parts of the image I actually didn't even see that bloke. I have now escorted him out of the scene. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited May 2, 2023 by fotografr 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/376199-street-scene-23-or-12-aspect-ratio/?do=findComment&comment=4763240'>More sharing options...
Lelmer Posted May 3, 2023 Share #20 Posted May 3, 2023 18 hours ago, fotografr said: I was so intent on the other parts of the image I actually didn't even see that bloke. I have now escorted him out of the scene. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I like your proposal, but we now miss the other interesting contrast of the original photo, the bikers and the two young persons wearing a short. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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