Composition problem?

[Meltonian]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum and thought I'd throw in this shot that I took on Monday. I've made some adjustments to the original in Photoshop but I can't decide if it needs cropping or not. I've been led to believe that the horizon shouldn't sit in the middle of the frame and yet it seems to work and I like the foreground detail.

Anyone care to comment?

[jiminyClickit]

Meltonian, Welcome

It's relative to what you prefer. Lovely colors and level horizon are a great start. You could get a lower view by cropping top a tenth and partial boat on right, although you'd lose a part of that sweep of walkway. Same with left part of road. Take another?

[Saralonde]

I don't think anything is a hard and fast rule, but they are generally good to follow. The rule of thirds (which the horizon line thing is under) is because it is pleasing to the eye. My take (slightly different then Jim's) would be to trim a bit off the bottom lowering the horizon line and drawing attention to the sky and water. You could still have a great deal of the foreground, but there would be less emphasis on it. The boat is in a slightly unfortunate position, right at the edge of the image, not quite in and not quite out. Maybe crop it out?

[thatedeguy]

The composition is good. In reference to the horizon, I think I'd try moving the horizon to the bottom third line. It's not technically "proper", but I think you'd find it settled better. It would also limit the road in the immediate front of the shot which tries to take over the shot for me.

[uvsub]

Love the rich tones and horizon line is fine for me. I also like how the sheen on the water balances the darker tones in the lower left of the image. Very peaceful image.

I find the the sailboat on the right is too close to the frame, especially since it is in the position of sailing out of the frame. Very conspicuous and distracting. By cropping it out altogether the composition is strengthened even more.

[Meltonian]

Thanks for the comments, guys - all advice is gratefully received!