S-Curves

If, like me, you have read the occasional article regarding composition, you will have heard about S-Curves – there is a particularly good article over at Photocrati. Basically, the s-curve is what it claims to be, an element, often a path, road or watercourse which wanders horizontally from side to side, leading your eye vertically through the picture.

Well, this is one of the photos I took last weekend on a walk to the country park.  The S of the fence shadows follows the S shape of the path, with a weaker element of the fence also contributing.  The main problem with this photo however, is that all the lines lead to…. a road.   And, unfortunately a sign, right across the road from the end of the shadows.  Unfortunately, I cannot think of anything that would be suitable to be sitting across the road.  So, the question is, should I crop the photo?

This is possibly better, but still, not a great shot, the depth of field is not enough to be sharp from front to back, and, although there is  a little more pattern to the shadows in the foreground, I am not sure there is enough foreground interest to carry the picture.  Also, the shape and curve of the fence are now lost.

Possibly 5/10 (by my standards) – the idea was there, but more interest was needed.

Camera settings were ISO200, f/10, 1/100 secs with a handheld EOS 400D fitted with 100mm macro lens.