Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: George F on July 19, 2009, 07:58:32 am

Title: Water and rocks
Post by: George F on July 19, 2009, 07:58:32 am
Ever since I first saw the 'smoky' water effect on the coast I've wanted to replicate it.  

A week's holiday in Cornwall gave me the opportunity.  The wife let me free for one evening!  

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/3734657702_ba0977a0da_o.jpg)

Title: Water and rocks
Post by: Ed Blagden on July 19, 2009, 09:07:31 am
George

I like it - overall very nice.  Pity there wasn't a bit more weather to give more goings on in the sky.  You might think about cropping out a couple of inches from the top.
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: George F on July 19, 2009, 11:40:32 am
Thanks, Ed!
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: wolfnowl on July 19, 2009, 12:10:50 pm
Quote from: Ed B
George

I like it - overall very nice.  Pity there wasn't a bit more weather to give more goings on in the sky.  You might think about cropping out a couple of inches from the top.

Yes, I agree - on both counts.  The sky is nice, but the main focus is in the water.  I'd chop it off somewhere about those cirrocumulus clouds.

Mike.
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 19, 2009, 02:41:55 pm
At the risk of sounding parrot-like, I agree with Ed and Mike. I suspect I'd leave a bit more of the sky than Mike, however, but I doubt there's much in it.

Lovely shot. I was in Wales yesterday, hoping for a nice evening like you had, but all I got was heavy cloud and drizzle.

Jeremy
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: George F on July 20, 2009, 03:37:00 am
Thanks for the feedback, guys!

What do you think to this?  Note the new foreground.  Any better?

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3737710249_3288a0cfa9_o.jpg)
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: Ed Blagden on July 20, 2009, 05:04:29 am
Quote from: George F
Thanks for the feedback, guys!

What do you think to this?  Note the new foreground.  Any better?

Much better composed balance between sky and the rocks, but I preferred the old foreground.  In version 1 you really went to town with the smoky water effect, which I like.  Version 2 doesn't really bring that out.  Still a nice shot though.
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: button on July 20, 2009, 09:21:32 am
I think you've created a much more compelling image with #2, for several reasons:

1)  I like the composition much more- my eye starts at the top left and then makes a zig-zag sweep across the rocks, stopping at the foreground sand.  Then, I just want to do it again.

2)  You've revealed much more detail in the rocks, and their textures keep my eye busy.

3)  I like the increased contrast and saturation, which I think this image needed.

Well done!

John
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: dchew on July 20, 2009, 10:29:08 am
4x5 crop and a little fill light...



[attachment=15541:37346577...a0da_o_3.jpg]
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: John R on July 20, 2009, 07:25:38 pm
I like the second image much more. The composition is great. But I think the way the highlighted rocks are strategically placed within the frame, combined with reducing the sky is what really makes this image sing.

JMR
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: wolfnowl on July 21, 2009, 03:08:48 am
The second image is good, but it lacks the 'misty' effect of the first one.  I like what Dave did with it.

Mike.
Title: Water and rocks
Post by: dchew on July 21, 2009, 06:50:00 am
Sorry George, I forgot to comment in my previous post, then got on a plane to the UK:  Very nice capture.  Whenever I am by the ocean I have a lot of fun trying to capture that misty feeling from the waves.  I think this one is great.  The position of the rocks really makes it.  It looks like your camera was quite close to the water!  Any rogue waves get you in trouble?

Dave