This is the original image by Ben Goossens. What attracted me to it was the
contrast between the little private sign and the rest of the image. Also, how the curvy
lines of the light post stand out against all of the other rigid
lines and boxy
shapes. I think the artist framed the image as a
long shot because he is establishing this setting, and the flat
space keeps the attention on the tree. The intense red color of the "Private" sign signifies importance within the image. Also, private as
text means that is is exclusive to whoever owns this location, but the emptiness of the scene, the absence of light in the lantern, and the somber colors create a
subtext. All of these things imply that whoever lives within this tree house is alone.
In the original image the light post is brought to our attention because of the
rule of thirds, and also because of the curvy lines, however I think that the red private sign steals the spotlight. For this reason I chose to cut out the red sign when I reframed the image, focussing all of the attention on the light. I kept the actual light in the thirds line so that it is still what the viewer sees first, and then our eyes follow the curvy iron work. The image still has
flat space, and there is still
contrast with the lines. However, it is now more of a
close up shot, and without the red "Private" sign there is only
affinity within the colors.
