[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

I understand that, and I kinda agree.
well, I was not sure if to vote for you or not to vote at all.
In your image the bridge, so the center of the image, imo, is a little moved to the left, and since I see some geometrical lines in your picture, and all converging to the bridge, the fact that it wasn't in the middle of the shot disturbed a little the whole thing, imo.
It's a great image and I like it, I would have just preferred it if more centered. just personal taste.
But since you posted that link, I guess your are fine with your image, so the position of the bridge is exactly the one you wanted. in that case, you'll have my vote.

I think what that link fails to explain though, is WHY the "rule" of thirds can strengthen an image. Shots of piers extending out into the water are always the best example... if you place the end of the pier to the left or right of center, the viewer's eye is encouraged to look INTO the picture.. not just at the picture. Placing the focal point off center gives depth and added dimension.

As the link stated, once you understand and know that rule, certainly there are times you might want to break it. But for me, this was not the time, I wanted your eye to go down stream to the bridge... and further left to the direction of the light.

For the record, I would hope the purpose of participation in these little weekly contests is to learn and share. Obviously, there is no prize. And, I felt rather supportive with respect to the guidelines regarding Photoshop.

I like to teach. I like to raise the bar. I hope your members and participants here come to learn and grow. I do think it's important that people learn how raise their level of appreciation and learn about technique and how to view photography in hopes of improving their own skills. I spend much of my time viewing great photographers of the past and deconstructing their work to improve my own.

You may have also noticed that both my entries this week were shot with my Leica. This is my walk around camera and I prefer to do this sort of shooting with it because it's limited in it's range. It's nothing more than an expensive point n' shoot. Sort of. But I use it to stretch and broaden the way I approach and think about a shot.

Lastly, be assured, I'm a Photoshop guru. Everything I post here is edited in Aperture. I prefer to create photographs with no pixel manipulation.

As witness to my Photoshop skills, feel free to browse tutorials here and here.

Thank you for allowing this discussion.

JT