To center or not to center that is the question

Vance Wood

My preference is the first shot, not because of the quality of the photo but because of balance. The tree is visually weighted toward the viewers left and having the tree more to the right, on the dais or stand, adds a stability to the composition that also adds to the strength of the tree. It gives me the impression of this great tree anchored in the ground with such force that the mountains themselves would have to move before the tree is uprooted.

The second photo does not give me this drama, it is a beautiful tree placed in the middle of a stand for the purpose of display. Once again the first photo participates and adds to the drama of the tree, subtly, but it does (in my eyes) become part of the composition.

On taking a look with analytical eyes a second time, as near as I can tell the visual weight of the tree is pretty close to the center of the stand in the first shot as well. For both reasons I have stated I still vote for the first shot, a tree slightly off center, by being unbalanced it becomes balanced.

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JavaScottC

Walter,
I too, like the first one. Funny, I was doing some photography today also. But I like the first off balance better. More dramatic in presentation to my eye.

Scott

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Walter

Regardless of visual weight, regardless of flow and the dynamics of the tree... remember that you are communicating with an audience. No matter what your views about centering on the stand, your Japanese audience will most likely count it against your tree if it is off center. Otherwise, follow your heart and the leading of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Personally, I like it better centered.

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Thomas_J.

For me #2 is the one. Forget the rules, it's just more pleasing to the eye. Number 1 looks like it was hurriedly placed on the stand and leaves me asking myself, why didn't the artist take a second look to make sure everything balanced.

Placing the tree off center in the pot to justify balance is alright, but to place it off center on the stand would have to be better suited for the display than what I'm seeing in the first photo. Just my thoughts of course.

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Thomas J.

HB Smith

Walter,

Could one argue that if a tree needs to be placed off center on a formal stand to look more in balance, that the tree in the pot without the stand is out of balance?

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Ashbarns9999

Walter, off centre seems the best option for me because the movement of the jins are contained/framed in relation to the stand which to my mind creates a better impact. A really powerful presentation. Kind Regards Ash

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ChrisM

walter, to me, using this particular tree/pot/table, the first positioning is better. though the pot is off center, it is my feeling that the tree is centered. it looks to me that the left side of the tree goes further away from the trunk then the right. in that respect the off center pot offers a more balanced display.

chris

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JohnQuinn

Either works well, I prefer it centered. The 'flow' and 'balance' isn't sufficiently improved to leave it off center. The mass of the trunk and nebari certainly give it stability even when placed dead center.

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Dkozi

I prefer the more centered tree. It causes the dead wood to slightly overhang out over the the edge of the pot and draws my attention to it causing a slight bit of excitement almost an element of danger....