Urban Shape #2

This was taken under the Pasupati Bridge, my favorite place. As you can see, I'm looking for a clear diagonal line. I found this pedestrian lane is perfectly lies on diagonal. I use 24mm lens to make the line looks stronger. As usual, I frequently incorporate motorcycle passer-by as visual element in most my photographs. That's because it is the easiest way to put human element on the frame. There are so many of them around the street.

Later on, I found an interesting geometric relation in this photo. I even don't realize it when I took the shot. Adam Marelli already shows this in his B+H video but I think the written article here is better for more in depth study.

He introduces the concept of major diagonal and major reciprocal. Major diagonal is the line connecting two corner of the frame that are facing each other. Major reciprocal is the line that is perpendicular to the major diagonal and intersect with one of the other corner of the frame.

As you can see on the left, the motorcycle lies exactly on the intersection of major diagonal and major reciprocal. That creates balance and harmony. Henri Cartier-Bresson uses this basic principle heavily in most of his photographs.

I think I'm starting to understand what HCB means as "intellectual pleasure".


30 Mar 2014
Nikon D700
AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D
ISO 400 - f/5.6 - 1/125