Vignette Composition

[quang]

Here's another take on Joe Hudson's superlative Sherlock & the Hound vignette.

I may be wrong but the smaller vignette appears to have more punch.

What do YOU, guys, think?

Q.

 

[Elia Cid]

The smaller one is more dynamic, it would even be better if the Hound of the Baskerville was looking at him?

Alex

 

[Johan]

I understand the point you want to make - but personally I feel the tree should be kept in place: maybe make it narrower, but leave the tree in place . In my humble opinion it serves as a "frame" on the left - "comme un encadrement?". That tree serves to keep or "contain" "everything in place" and I think it's a clever touch by the modeller. Otherwise there would have been a void on the left, your simulation with photoshop indeed places the focus much more on the personalities, but still there's that emptyness like an abyss, which could be avoided by leaving the tree there.

... Well, that's just my humble opinion

 

[quang]

there's that emptyness like an abyss

Exactly. The off-balance effect adds to the tension and the sense of imminent danger.

Alex,

You got a point. There should be more evident 'eye contact'.

 

[Elia Cid]

Johan,
The problem is not the tree, it’s the mass, of stone next to ,and behind the tree.
It visually dominates the composition!

Alex

 

[Johan]

I know - that's also what I said, make the whole thing narrower, that is, remove a good deal of that stone mass. But I'd personally leave that tree or some other tree (maybe bent the other way?) in position ... well moved up a bit to the right, if you make the whole thing narrower . If you'd bend the tree the other way, it would also underline as it were the direction of the action.

But hey, just a personal view...

 

[Joe Hudson]

Hey Quang,

I thank you for the Great input and if I had of thought of doing it the way that you have shown I think I would have went with your version. I do appreciate that a few of you do like what I did and I did the tree as Johan said. I wanted to keep the focus on the two figures.

Alex, thanks for pointing out the hound not looking at Sherlock and I can explain this...neither one of them are glued down. I just stuck them in the holes just to take a few pictures to show you all. When I finish up the few items left on Sherlock I will then glue them down. I still have to put a smoke glaze on the pistol. paint a seam line on the pants and paint the tie on the top of his cap.

Johan,

On the other site I will explain the process of the rocks and tree.

Joe

 

[garyjd]

Joe, You did a nice job either way. Looking forward to future works.~Gary

 

[Joe Hudson]

Gary,

Thanks. You can bet on the future projects that I may be bugging you again!

Joe

 

[garyjd]

Joe, No problem, just say the word.~Gary

 

[frank h]

Hi Quang
I also think the tighter composition works better.
The viewer is left in no doubt as to what is taking place.

Anything else, however well done is a distraction.

A terrific piece of work, all credit to you Joe.

Frank

 

[Joe Hudson]

Frank,

Thanks for the kind remark.

Gary,

You can count on it buddy!

Joe

 

[quang]

Frank & Joe,

My rule concerning the groundwork is this:

The groundwork adds greatly to the scene up to a point where it detracts from it.

Generally, it's when it's too late!

Q.