Thirds and Threes

I’ve only made one set of photos this year of the city collecting leaves for recycling. The better of the two photos I shot today is My Final Photo.

It is the frame with a more recognizable narrative showing the equipment and action as seen by most people.

I prefer the photo at top. It’s far more dynamic in several ways.

It’s a sight seen by few people. Up close, within sucking distance.

The lighting from an overcast day’s shadows evenly illuminates the scene, allowing for the greens and browns to stand out without harsh contrasts.

The composition draws the eye from the lower right corner with its natural detail, diagonally across to the upper left, where the blurred motion dominates.

The curb edge at an oblique angle sits at the rule of thirds position.

There are three elements in the lower two-thirds. The blurred leaves at left, the soon-to-be-gone leaves at center, and the grassy area at right.

The upper third also has three elements. The blurred vacuum, sky reflecting off wet pavement, and the dark street at top right.

There's harmony in the connection of elements within this frame. Once you see the objects, each one singular, and then see how their arrangement creates a pleasant tableau of design, color, and action.

ISO 400. 1/8th second. f22.