Natural Screenshots - A lost art?

Nightfire · Feb 17, 2009

Calm down now everyone, if you can't understand what Sweeny is typing then there is no need to respond. If it's annoying don't read it. There are usually easy ways out so things don't have to become arguments.

iCrankHoes · Feb 17, 2009

xX5w33ny70ddXx said: ↑

@ Crooked

You obviously have no idea what I am talking about. There are several framing techniques and guidelines to follow when taking screenshots/photographs/video. One I mentioned was Rule of Thirds, which was well explained by Black Theorem. Here is it displayed in Crank's Blizzard.

You can see how the image is divided into 9 reasonably equal sized spaces by 6 intersecting lines, 3 horizontal and 3 vertical. Now, let's analyze this. First, take notice of the alignment of the Spartan's Visor and the top most horizontal line. The eyeline of the Spartan is 2/3rds up the screen, and that is often a very common placement of a person's eyeline in photography. Also notice how the head is fit in the 2nd square. Now take notice of the body. The focus of the Spartan's body fills up 2/3rds of the left side of the frame, while the remainging 1/3 to the right is taken up by the background. Notice how all these things line up with the "Rule of Thirds". But their is other methods of framing.

When framing, following the rule of thirds works, but it is not necessary. The thing to keep in mind about framing a shot is to make it feel natural. You shouldn't even notice the framing it should be so natural. Now, the one that I said is poorly framed is this one.

The Spartan takes up half the screen, the other half is left blank. The viewers vision is split 50/50 between the Spartan and the Background. Even though the subject is the spartan, the viewer will still glance at the remainging 50% of the frame looking for something more. There is nothing there, the frame is half empty. This detracts from the screenshot as a whole, because if you just shaved off that other half you wouldn't be missing anything from the frame. The Spartan will remain within the guidlines of the Horizontal Thirds. However, if the background was more interesting this wouldn't be so bothersome (then again, it depends what was in the background) because then you could have Depth of Field. However, the background is apart of the effect, so that wouldn't work. That is why I suggested moving in with the camera, capturing the upper body of the Spartan so that it filled 2/3rds of the left of the frame. It would be far more pleasing to the eye, and the background wouldn't be quite so distracting with the Spartan being the dominating element of the composition.

Also, I very muched enjoyed RivalMass's and Kumquat's examples, especially this one.

Screenshots of natural scenery can look quite amazing, and in this new world of effects, I feel as if their beauty has been lost. My argument is not against the use of effects however, it is their importance. In the comments I quoted on Page 4 they all mentioned the effects, or lack there of, instead of the screenshot of as a whole. While it is fine to comment on the effects, you should be focusing on more than just the effects. At the same time, if a screen fails to contain any effects, do not rate it down because of soemthing that isn't there.
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wow ya thats totally true.. that sums up everything really... sorry for bitching at you..

Black Theorem · Feb 17, 2009

Thank you, Crank. I appreciate you acting in a civilized manner, and accepting that you were wrong. I'm glad that the members of the Screenshot forum are grown up, unlike those pisswads whod post w/ "Ne3dz MOar Int3rL0xx!!1!!1!11!"...-.-...

DimmestBread · Feb 17, 2009

iCrankHoes said: ↑

haha wow... look all im saying is look at the times bro... honestly... look at all the famous and good screen shots and compare them with "Natural Screenshots"... you tell me.. what looks better.. screen shots are all about how they look and the feeling it gives.. thats what most good screen shot takers do...
point proven...?
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The epic campaign shots will always be the best because those effects and backgroudnds can't be reimagined in forge.

Huntar · Feb 17, 2009

ahhhh yes, the art of natural screen shots.
not any effects, just using your mind.
As you said, it is a lost art.
And im glad your bringing it to everyone's attention!
I shall be posting some of my natural screen shots.
in a little.
But again, im glad your bringing this back up!

Oh yeh!
And the rule of 3rds is one of the most important rules to learn.
Your natural shots will look amazing with it =]

Natural Screenshots - A lost art?

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Natural Screenshots - A lost art?

Nightfire Ancient Senior Member

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Nightfire Ancient
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iCrankHoes Ancient
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Black Theorem Ancient
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Huntar Ancient
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