Classic wooden boat

[Geebee]

The reason for taking the photo, I love boats especially old wooden boats.
My wife was dragging me around Antique shops when I spotted the boat moored only a short distance from the river shore.
Basically how do I improve the composition, quality etc.
Cheers.

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/750)
Aperture: f/6.7
Focal Length: 12.3 mm
Iso: 80

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23600382@N06/2249561907/" title="Classic maratime by bonneyg, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/2249561907_78bd7b17cd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Classic maratime" /></a>

[MikeOliveri]

Nice subject. My first reaction was to get rid of some of the water, but then I realized you probably wanted the reflection and it works. The only other thing I could think of is maybe get lower next time (if possible) and see if you can't limit the line where the water meets the opposite shore from cutting through the center of the pic and your subject.

[TarheelRambler]

I agree with the comment about cropping out some of the water. That was my first impulse, but I can see where you would want to preserve the reflection. Having said that, I still think it would make a stronger composition if there was less water in the foreground.

But, it's still a very good image.

[jdepould]

Putting the horizon right in the middle is a bit too static, don't be afraid to experiment with cropping off part of the mast, it could work (or it could be terrible). I think it might draw more attention to the reflection that way though.

[ELAY]

I think that the reflection in the water is so light that it is robbing you of the necessary contrast with the white hull of the boat.

If you were able to get the water tones a bit more darker and bit more blue in post-processing your subject would stand out better.

[Geebee]

I originally thought of cropping the water a bit but as some said I was after the reflection as well.
Getting lower was not possible I was squatting on the mud bank as it was.
I will have a go at all the suggestions and see what the results are like.
Cheers.

[Geebee]

I tried the various suggestions and this was the only one that worked for me, but I don't know if it is an improvement on the original or just different? ie. I like both.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23600382@N06/2257465504/" title="cropped by bonneyg, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2257465504_9b22220d15.jpg" width="500" height="410" alt="cropped" /></a>

[jiminyClickit]

GeeBee,

You took the photo because you love old wooden boats, so this does what you wanted: shows better detail, location, weather. Ultimately we each decide what we like, and edit accordingly. Critique can give you new views for the next photo.