Inspiring Photo: Stormy #497968

Stormy

Uploaded: August 15, 2004

Description

Shot seconds before a thunderstorm...got caught in the rain during the shoot. I deliberately chose to deviate slightly from the rule of thirds here because it worked. f:8 @ 1-90/sec, ISO 100, tripod used, no major Photoshop here....lightness/brightness adjustments and cloned out a smaller rock.

Comments

Claudia Kuhn August 15, 2004

Another shot in the runaway bride series? The clouds are so dramatic, nice perspective too! #158413

Dana F. Greenwood Sr August 15, 2004

Nice shot. Only thing I think could help is to follow the rules of thirds and ofset the bride. They say rain is good luck so a storm must be better. #711670

Kathleen Clemons August 15, 2004

I think this is amazing, Dolores. One of your best. :)
#711719

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

Thank you, Claudia! I am very appreciative for your comment!

Thank you Dana. I appreciate your tinme and post. Many people strictly adhere to the rule of thirds but that's not a good thing. The bride is offset compositionally and I made certain of that. It was more important that the clouds frame her for the dramatic effect. You can deviate from that rule (a little bit) if it works. I have seen a multitude of images deviate from the rules of thirds VERY SUCCESSFULLY! In this case, cropping into the sky will lessen it's dramatic effect which is the strength of this image. As long is she is off center, it's ok. Thanks for your suggestion ...I had already given that MUCH thought.

Kathleen...I am very appreciative for your words. I know your standards are high...and your compliment touched me. Thank you! #711770

Donald K. Cherry August 15, 2004

Great shot Delores, contrary to Dana's suggestion, I think the composition of this shot is perfect. The rule of thirds is just a basic guideline and doesn't have to be strictly adhered to. There are situations where it is imperitive to break the rule to capture a more insipiring image and you have done that wonderfully here! #711813

Gina Harmeyer August 15, 2004

Wow, this is so dramatic! This photo seems to tell a story. Beautiful Dolores! #711856

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

Donald...thank you so very much for your generous post and sharing your thoughts on composition. I agree with you completely and this has been my observation also. I can't tell you how many amateur photographers have had the rule of thirds pounded in their head... to the point that they dismiss good images because of a slight deviation in a certain photographic rule! Teachers should also teach that there are exceptions when an image still can work without it! Composition is certainly important but if an image speaks to your heart or is compelling and emotive, the rules can take a back seat! Thank you for your support. Your comment meant a great deal to me! #711873

Judith G. Secco August 15, 2004

WOW!! This is incredible! SO dramatic. Only you, Dolores, could come up with such an imaginative shot. You've done it again!
Judy #711882

Charlene Bayerle August 15, 2004

This is awesome Dolores....whatever way you shot it, it worked!!!! #711970

Joy Brown August 15, 2004

Thirds, schmirds - this is an amazing image, Dolores!!! #712062

John August 15, 2004

AWESOME JOB!!!!!!
YOU DESERVE A WIN ON THIS!!!!
KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK! #712096

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

Good morning, Judy!! A heartfelt thank you for your immensely complimentary note. I appreciate it so very much! You are very sweet and your comment means so much!

Charlene..I also appreciate your kind words on this shot. It took alot of preparation and we drove an hour away from home to capture it..then when we arrived at our destination we didn't think the pending storm would let us take one dry shot. Anyway, I appreciate your taking the time to post!

Joy...a note of heartfelt thanks for lifting up this shot. I appreciate it so much you have no idea! To me the best part of photography are the comments received from photographers you admire!! Thank you for reaching out to me once more. #712154

Ellen Peach August 15, 2004

Another WOW....outstanding work, Dolores!!! #712168

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

Gina...Thank you for taking time to post so favorably on this image! I appreciate it immensely!

John....THANK YOU! I am so very appreciative for your enthusiasm and the "atta girl"!! Some times photography is difficult work (ok...all the time) and getting such wonderful feedback from photographers such as yourself make it all worthwhile! Thanks so much! #712171

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

Thank you so much, Ellen! Am so delighted you like it! #712175

Colette M. Metcalf August 15, 2004

WOW!!! This is amazing, Dolores! #712223

Casey A. Hanson August 15, 2004

Beatiful, awesome!!
Excellent image Dolores! #712285

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

Thank you so very much, Colette and Casey! I appreciate that you've reached out and brought me a smile! #712293

August 15, 2004

What else can I say...except...Beautiful picture! #712536

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

Hello Jodie~

And what else can I say ?...except Thank you!! #712935

Murry Grigsby August 15, 2004

The beginning of a stormy marriage--poor groom :0) Your title sums up the image very well Dolores! Very dramatic light and darkish colors!! Well done! Now about that rule of thirds--is that 2/3 for her and 1/3 or him???? That's the rule I ALWAYS follow. #712979

Dolores Neilson August 15, 2004

THank you, Murry! Actually...I like the title "Stormy" better so I changed it! THanks for the idea! That was the entire concept...stormy marriage!! #713059

Sharon Day August 15, 2004

Very striking. Well done :) #713288

Kristen McKain August 15, 2004

WOW!! EXCELLENT SHOT! Well done! #713349

Diane Addonizio August 15, 2004

Beautiful!! #713619

Dolores Neilson August 16, 2004

Thanks so much, Sharon! I appreciate it!

Hi Kristen! Thanks for the "atta girl"! II always appreciate your posts.

Hi Diane....many thanks to you also. I'm delighted you think so. #714058

Dan Holm August 16, 2004

WOW! ... Looks like you've submitted next month's winner, Dolores! This is awesome!! #715343

Dolores Neilson August 16, 2004

Hi Dan! THANK YOU for thinking so highly of this image!! That would be nice....I think that with competing with Yuri Bonder, I'm running into some fierce competition. Thank you so much for your post today~ And congrats to you for your 2nd place winner this month! #715446

August 16, 2004

I'm no professional so I have no idea what the rule of thirds is. However, I do know what I like. It's stunning. By the way, what is this rule of thirds. #715603

Dolores Neilson August 16, 2004

Thank you so much, Ramona! It's a loose guide we photographers use (I'm not a professional either) to assist in composing. If you can imagine tic/tac/toe lines: two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. They key to effective composition is to place your subject on one of those intersecting imaginary lines when composing through your viewfinder. So your water line should be in the top or lower third of your image. If you look at my image above, you see the rock is using 1/3 of the space from the bottom. The bush is in the rule of thirds on the right. It's not a strict rule (there are exceptions)...but you should aim for it whenever you can for compositionally pleasing images. It's hard to remember the rules but with practice, it'll become second nature to you. #716146

August 16, 2004

Thanks for explaining that. Let me make sure I have that straight. According to the rules your bride should be a little more to the left in the picture. Am I understanding it right? #716169

Dolores Neilson August 16, 2004

Yep (that's according to rule of thirds followed very strictly)...but the bride is ok because she's off center and the dress is creating a diagonal line to the lower corner. Since the clouds were framing her beautifully, it was more important that the dramatic effect was strong since that was my aim. Shoot for your rule of thirds..but at the very least, move your subject off center. #716183

August 16, 2004

That's right. You go girl! Thanks a bunch! #716184

Nancy Grace Chen August 17, 2004

A delight to see this photo again. Truly remarkable. The discussion is interesting... To tell you the truth, I've *never* shot with the rule of thirds in mind; I've always just gone with my instinct (which innately might tend to follow the rule of thirds). I always thought of it as one of those suggestive guidelines, and a way of appreciating an image. Anyhow, I think you've composed (and done just about everything else) *perfectly* here. A high impact image if I ever saw one. Keep up the amazing work, Dolores.

Nancy #718105

Marcie A. Fowler August 19, 2004

Dolores this is simply amazing. All your preperation certainly paid off!! It's very dramatic and thought provoking. If we don't see it again I will be very, very suprised!! It's just simply stunning!! #721340

Peggy Wolff August 20, 2004

Wow Dolores! This is an amazing shot! Who says you only wear your wedding dress once? Well done, I am sure we will be seeing this one again. :o) #724711

Beverley Lu Steeves August 22, 2004

Wow, Dolores!! This is truely amazing!!! I love everything about it! Well composed :) #728198

Dolores Neilson August 29, 2004

HI Ramona!! Thank you so very much! I appreciate the encouragement immensely!

Greetings Nancy! You are most kind to post such complimentary words!! They mean so very much to me! For not knowing the rule of thirds...you have such a good sense of composition! Thanks so very much! Always a pleasure to see your work and hear from you!

Hello Marcie! Sorry to acknowledge your kind post so late. We have just returned from a week in North Carolina and I'm trying to catch up now. THank you!!

Hi Peggy! Thank you!! How nice of you to take the time to post! Have a great day!

Hello Beverley! My sincerest thanks for your kind post! I appreciate it very much! #743109

Mette Vendelboe Allison September 01, 2004

Absolutely cool and well done, Dolores! #748565

Dolores Neilson September 01, 2004

Thank you, Mette! #748838

Debra Booth September 13, 2004

Congratulations on this great Finalist, Dolores! #774467

Isabel L September 13, 2004

Wow wonderful shot! Congrats!! #775622

Dan Holm September 13, 2004

CONGRATULATION, Dolores! Absolutely awesome shot!! #775643

Jennifer Rennison September 13, 2004

Fabulous image, Dolores, Congratulations! #775905

Darren K. Fisher September 13, 2004

Oh yea, so very happy to see this one make it. Way to go Dolores. #776021

Deborah Sandidge September 13, 2004

Wow, congratulations, Dolores! #776245

Carol Engstrom September 13, 2004

Congratulations on your finalists Dolores! #776461

Monika Sapek September 13, 2004

Absolutely wonderful! Many congratulations and good luck in the next round with this excellent image, Dolores!
Monika
#776586

Paul Michko September 14, 2004

Congrats, Dolores #776829

Kelly Abernathy September 14, 2004

I still love it! Congratulations Dolores! -K #777024

Judith G. Secco September 14, 2004

This is definitely deserving!! Congratulations and best of luck.
Judy #777444

Claudia Kuhn September 14, 2004

Big congrats Dolores! #777473

Beverley Lu Steeves September 14, 2004

Congrats Dolores!!! Best of luck! #777840

Kathleen Clemons September 14, 2004

No surprise to see this in the finals Dolores! Congratulations to you!! #778749

LJ Corliss September 14, 2004

Congrats :) #779633

Terry R. Hatfield September 14, 2004

Hi Dolores! A Big Congrats On A Beautiful Finalist Good Luck With It:-) #780158

Karen Engelbreth September 15, 2004

Congrats Dolores! #782049

Nancy Grace Chen September 15, 2004

How in the world did this not win?!?! I was seeing this as a first place winner, at least!!

Nancy #783594

Jill Battaglia September 16, 2004

WOW! This is amazing!! Excellent work Dolores!!! It's a winner in my book! #786027

Colette M. Metcalf September 19, 2004

Congrats, Dolores!! #790397

Susana Matos October 15, 2004

Outstanding!!! I agree with Jill, this is a winner on my bopok too! Congratulations!!
Cheers from Portugal, Su #843535

Roxanne M. Bubar September 14, 2005

Magnificent!!!!!! #1837837

Sandra Freyler October 22, 2005

WOW! Congratulations! Oustanding shot! Very dramatic and moody! Beautiful image! #1983833

Amy JACKSON March 09, 2006

Really beautiful and creative image!!! Great work!! #2516300

Dolores Neilson March 10, 2006

Thank you all for deeming this image a winner. I appreciate your thoughts and congrats immensely.

Thank you Amy.....and for all of you taking time to comment on my work. Nice to have a 14 year old daughter who can fit in her oldest sister's wedding dress! hah! Many heartfelt thank yous!! Have a great day! #2517527

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