Stormy Afternoon

[Tony Jay]

Another image reflecting my preoccupation with weather and weather events.
As with a lot of the eastern Australian coastline this image was shot in northern New South Wales just today reflecting the stormy weather along the coast.
Thoughts and comments appreciated as always!

Tony Jay

[wmchauncey]

After looking at your image Tony, let me tell you what I wanted to see...more water and less rocky shore.
The colors in the water are great...a different perspective might have worked better.

[stamper]

The overexposure in the wave is the first thing that catches the eye. It would be possible to add some detail to make this a fine image.

[RSL]

I think the horizon line is okay at a bit more than a third from the top. I agree with Stamper that the breaking wave crest is a bit blown. On the other hand, I'd hate to see the highlights in that wave disappear. It's a fine shot, Tony.

[David Eckels]

I think it is a lovely shot, love the colors in the rocks, the water, and the sky. Can't tell whether the wave is blown or not; I see subtle highlight detail and I agree with Russ that you wouldn't want to lose those. Compositionally, the rocks are really "in your face" and to me that's artist's prerogative. If it was me (I can hear Russ groaning), I'd consider a 1x2 AR. Dragging the pop out of the image past the bottom of my screen cuts some of the massiveness of the rocks and provides some balance to my eye. YMMV. I'd hang this on my wall either way.

[RSL]

Groan, groan. . .

[Tony Jay]

Thanks for the input gentlemen!

The wave is not actually blown although some detail appears to have been lost in the creation of the JPEG version.
FWIW I have made subtle adjustments to said wave that probably brings out a little more detail.

I am a cropper (anathema to some I know) and David's suggestion is an option that I will look at. If it works it works, if not...

Tony Jay

[Tony Jay]

Here is a revision incorporating some of the suggestions:

Tony Jay

[stamper]

Yes! This is what I had in mind. The small addition of "detail" makes a big difference.

[David Eckels]

Yes! This is what I had in mind. The small addition of "detail" makes a big difference.

What about the crop?

[William Walker]

Here is a revision incorporating some of the suggestions:

Tony Jay

I prefer this one Tony.

[RSL]

I don't agree. I like the fact that though the blowout is gone, detail in the wave has been preserved, but I think you need to decide whether this picture is about rocks in front of a lowering sky or about a lowering sky in front of rocks. In the first version emphasis was on the rocks. In this version we've moved the horizon to dead center in the frame. Now the emphasis is split. It's a case of dissociative identity disorder. It's a subtle thing, but I think that in landscape (or seascape) it matters.

[luxborealis]

I don't agree. I like the fact that though the blowout is gone, detail in the wave has been preserved, but I think you need to decide whether this picture is about rocks in front of a lowering sky or about a lowering sky in front of rocks. In the first version emphasis was on the rocks. In this version we've moved the horizon to dead center in the frame. Now the emphasis is split. It's a case of dissociative identity disorder. It's a subtle thing, but I think that in landscape (or seascape) it matters.

+1

[stamper]

What about the crop?

My post was purely aimed at the wave however I think Russ hits the nail on the head. Is the image about the rocks? I think so and the crop alters the image in a way that isn't helpful.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Russ nails it. No crop on this one, but keep the detail.

[Tony Jay]

I agree that the crop is problematic for the reasons advanced.
The world is full of compromises and this images demonstrates certain conundrums.
A couple of posters wanted more ocean in the shot - it would have been nice to able to be about ten foot up but that was an impossible perspective.
In fact the point from which I shot that image (and several others) wasn't that safe either.

Tony Jay

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Did you try levitating?   

[Tony Jay]

Did you try levitating?   

Levitating is less of an issue than the lack of a controlled landing afterwards!!

Tony Jay