a view from a bridge

[Nieton21]

I live by this bridge that I could never figure out how to get too, yesterday I finally found the bridge and it had a really spectacular view of the City of Portland. I took a number of photo this one is the one I liked the best, but it seems kind of average. I don't know why, while taking the shot I was really excited about this beautiful view and then when I opened it up on my computer I was a bit let down. Any help on improving this image is greatly wanted.

Mode: Aperture Priority
Shutterspeed:1/25
Aperture: F/22
Focal Length: Focal Lenght 33mm
ISO speed: 400

[jiminyClickit]

Nieton21,

Hand on mouse, ready to click photo to my edit files. Now I'm thinking working on this will gain me even more experience and enjoyment, but what will you get out of it?

Leave it alone for a while, then look at it as if for the first time, not as the photographer. Critique it: look for variety of color (not much), contrast (color-not much, subject-not much), composition (horizon-centered), interesting bit (bottom/center, looks as if sunshine peeked through clouds on one building).

What do you see? Is this the only photo you took after finding "this beautiful view?"

[NaturesPixel]

ok here is what i see.. the sky is on the verge of OE.. the tree on the right is annoying me.. whats on the left side??? can you move over a little to get rid of the tree??


and the OE sky... go get ya self a nice grad ND filter.. and and expose for the buildings.. not the sky that way you will get colour and light back into the buildings...

this is just my 2cents worth.. i hope i have helped if you need more info let me know

[deck]

Hello Nieton21,
Thats a starter pic, next time study the scene and find out which time of day would either give a dramatic sky, light up the subjects, or produce a scene thats really unusual, set a time to go back to the bridge and wait for it to happen, it takes a little (or maybe a lot) of planning but getting the right picture will make it worthwhile, and while youre on your way up the bridge you can take pictures of other things...
As for improving the pic you already have, make a little cropping to put the horizon on the thirds of the composition and maybe take out the tree
Just a suggestion,
Keep Shooting

[Nieton21]

wow thanks for all the advice...I'm definately going to go back at a different time and try to catch a different version. I'm going to try and go when there is light illuminating the buildings more...JiminyClicket thanks for the advice to taking a step back and looking at it as a new image, that really helps me see alot of the problems. On the ND filter I totally agree but to be honest with you that was pretty close to the actual sky I was a litte bummed especially because mt. hood was kind of washed out. All great advice thanks