Pen-y-Ghent

Pen-y-Ghent

Pen-y-Ghent

Here’s a challenge … which one of these two do you think is the better composition? Of course you might not like either of them, but tell me which one you think tells the story of the landscape best, and why?
[EXIF: 1/125sec @ f/13; ISO 100; Sony ILCE-7R; Sony FE 24-105 F4 G OSS @ 35mm]

Pen-y-Ghent

[EXIF: 1/125sec @ f/13; ISO 100; Sony ILCE-7R; Sony FE 24-105 F4 G OSS @ 52mm]

12 thoughts on “Pen-y-Ghent”

  1. The second pic is beautiful. I love old gates. The metal is rusted. I love the sheep running about on the far hill.

  2. I prefer the second one too, David. With the first one, my eyes can’t decide whether to look at the wall or the gate and the distant landscape.

    1. That’s an interesting suggestion Jim, I hadn’t thought of that as a composition element. You’re right. The foreground image shouldn’t be a distraction, it should just lead you in, which is why Kirsty and others I think prefer (like you) the second one, because the gate is almost an invitation to go into the field – it draws you in. Cheers.

  3. Jonathan guest

    Just to be awkward Im going for no.1. I know the Dales pretty well and the stone barns are such a prominent feature of the landscape. Its not possible to see that in the second. Having said that I might have made it slightly less prominent in the pic while still being able to see what it is.
    So, a balance between the two. Sitting on the fence you might call it!.

    1. Never awkward Jonathan. I know what you mean, and although I don’t hail from “God’s own country” I did live in Donny for 7 years and trips to the Dales were frequent. I suspect that’s why I got drawn to take a picture with the barn so prominent. It was the only one along the road, and it just cried out to be photographed. It was also in amazingly good condition, which is something of a rarity as well, as you probably know. I think your suggestion to perhaps be half-way between the two is an interesting idea, so here it is …

      Barn + Gate and Pen-y-Ghent

  4. Hi David, I agree with the above, I also think there is a better sense of distance in the second photo

  5. Both photos are lovely but for very different reasons. Although the subject matter is similar, the focus, obviously, is different so I find myself sitting on the gate as there is no fence! The texture in the wall of the barn is stunning and it picks up the colours in the dry stone wall which leads the eye into the composition. The shape of top of the roof is echoed in the summit in the distance, which gives it a good balance in the first photo. The dull green of the lichen on the gate is picked up in the grass, and the colour of the rusty hinges is captured in the hills in the second photo, so I am having difficulty in performing my gate vault to make a decision.

    1. Thanks Frances, I really appreciate the thought you’ve put into your comment. It’s through people’s comments that I will hopefully continue to improve my composition. You’ve picked-up things I didn’t see, such as the green of the lichen and the rusty hinges. However I agree with you about the texture of the wall of the barn, and I was particularly drawn to the stones that stuck out and wondered what their purpose was.

  6. Lovely shot Dave with both wall and gate. My only distraction is the plank of wood leaning against the wall!!
    All the best for now,
    Frank

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