I do photography all the time, digital,traditional and video, mostly for reference to use for my artwork. I have a question on my latest project though, if anyone has time...?

Here is one of the best of the photos I took yesterday:

What I'm having problems with is the composition. I want it to be as good photo as it can be on its own, even though I plan to add an extra item later when I draw it (either inside or next to the teapot - that's why the lid is up) the problem is that my main focal point ends up dead center - so which way do I crop it? Do I crop out the light or the dark? Or do I start all over and this time move the flowers? (I'm still kicking myself for not moving them yesterday!) Please don't tell me to start over... you have no idea what I went through to set this up!

...but I will if I have to.

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

This thing is going to take a lot of deciding, just between yesterday and today I've managed to switch all my thinking around and now this other version seems to be the best version:

So I'm off to try and figure out the rest. If anyone notices anything major wrong so far, please let me know!

Thanks!

As far as subject matter and soul of the subject, look up Keith Carter.

As far as my personal preference, I tend to subscribe to the theory that less is more, so I prefer your second version. I would even pare it down some more - make ONE thing the focal point.

Just for grins, here's one I made while in college.

Email me:

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

I hope you don't mind, I took your pic an cropped it to show what I would do (it's my 2 cts...). I also put white X on the objects that I think you should leave out. Just keep in mind that to me the focal point are the flowers and the pitcher...

Now... are you going to do this in oil? I can't wait to see it... it's a gorgeous still life... :*

Anne-Claire Tavares

and no, I don't mind if you "play" with my images in order to better show me your point.

I suppose I should expain where I'm going with this one a little better.. The title will be "Breakfast with Wingnut" I'm opening the window and adding a squirrel to the picture. I can't decide if it should be on the window ledge, or somewhere on the table, but the idea is one of if you had caught "Wingnut" visiting your breakfast table! I originally was going to have the squirrel sneaking out of the teapot to steal a nut from the cereal bowl.. but someone suggested that maybe it was kinda over the top - so I'm playing with the idea of just having it in the window. My daughter suggested having the window closed and the squirrel's nose pressed against the glass! LOL! I hardly ever do still lifes, so that's why I was asking for advice - and I'm glad I did because I'm learning a whole lot about compostition I never knew before! I'll be doing this picture in my usual style of colored pencil.

I'm not sure about the rest of the suggestions yet, but I am starting to agree that the brown pitcher needs to go. Do you suppose it would help if I just changed the color of it? I was originally going to paint it white.

Thanks to everyone who has added their input to this, I appreciate it!

I think losing the brown pitcher would be better because I think the area where it is should be neutral.. If you make it white, it will be too bold!

And the squirrel, I think it would be better sitting on the window ledge... but of course if you press its nose against the glass it can add a touch of humor! That one is for you to decide...

Anne-Claire Tavares