In this example (below):
1. The tonal values for the various elements are monotonous. They do not have enough contrast and just dissolve into a chaotic mess. THIS IS BEST SEEN IN THE BLACK-N-WHITE IMAGE TO FOLLOW THIS POST.
2. There is no interest in the various levels of the elements in the composition. The primary level to which every element in the display rises is exactly the same! (indicated by the red line). That some of the elements break this line is lost in the monotony of this glaring, artificial, overbearing line.
3. There is no focal point for the composition. Every element screams, "Hey, look at me!" Nothing stands out (not even the tree) and nothing compliments anything else in the display.
a. the tree is quite dynamic
b. the "background" is quite dynamic
c. the left-hand side "thing" is doing its own thing (whatever that might be) and looks like it was left there by mistake.
4. The beautiful highlights on the foliar masses of the tree is lost against the mass of highlights on the extra-shiny mountain things in the background.
Nothing in this composition compliments anything else. Every element competes for your attention and not one element succeeds in getting it! That the "mountains" and the tree flow in the same direction is almost an afterthought - and a funny one at that (as if it were by accident).
When you eat a cake, you don't want to take a bite and taste just the eggs, next bite.. just the flour, next bite...just the sugar. No, you want to taste a symphony of flavors that make a wonderful "whole." If this display were a symphony, each of the elements would be blaring a different march - as loud and as fast as possible.
Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
b u n j i n | d e s i g n ::
www.bunjindesign.com
zone 8, Texas