Beach Shot

[Scampi]

Simple snapshot at the beach yesterday. Cropped slightly, and since I took it in RAW mode, (.NEF) some post-processing. This was with the kit-lens (18-55mm) which seems to be working quite well. I was looking for something to interrupt the flat expanse of sand, and this wood seemed good. I think the pull of the centered horizon is still too strong even with the wood in the way though, and that makes for a less than compelling composition.

EXIF: D40, ISO 200, 35mm, f/13, 1/250, handheld, manual



Thanks,

Scampi

[matthewchj]

Whoa. Nice!! I like the shape and pattern of the wood.

[KagoGrl]

Really nice shot! I think I'd like to see a bit more contrast in the wood - it's a little bright. A polarizing filter might have cut down on that. Did you take any shots from different angles? I'm wondering what it might look like without the hill to the right.

A great subject though! The horizon line doesn't bother me (you seemed worried about it) but I do find the hill distracting.

[pcarfan]

I like this picture, and I would like to learn by trying to crticize a great shot. The wood on the left could indeed use more contrast, and you may have to use masking to avoid losing the nice shadow details towards the right.

I've been reading about capturing forground, and I wonder whether these following comments make any sense (I am a newbie). You said you wanted to avoid a blank stretch of sand, but now the wood seems to have hidden the entire stretch of sand and water. The BG is not in focus either...it'll be fine if the aim was to just capture the wood, but not if it is there to break the line or as foreground.

How about reducing the focal length with a higher vantage point which will bring sand around the wood and will make the wood the foreground, and also narrowing the aperture even further to bring the BG into focus (may need a tripod for shutter speed).



Can you explain more about the 'pull of the centerd horizon' a little further as I don't see it.

[WooD]

That is some good looking wood.

[phlyersphan]

Very nice! I like the texture of the wood vs the texture of the sand.

[Scampi]

Thanks for all the great feedback! Pcarfan, those are great compositional insights. Thank you. Kagogrl, yeah! I'm awaiting a circular polarizer. I'm getting a nice Heliopan with 16 coatings (more coats than I own!), so it should be a nice addition. I sold some camera equipment recently and included my filters in that sale! But... new ones await!

Here's a modified shot following some of the feedback:



Oh, about the centeredness of the horizon... well, the horizon is too much in the center for my tastes. It divides the image nicely down the middle, which balances it but renders it too even, and reduces some of the tension that I think would add more power to the photo. The wood helps by drawing our eye to it, and following its line to the far end, but I don't think it helps enough (for my tastes anyway!). I did not mind the background being somewhat blurred, as I was going for the wood. I knelt to be more at the level of the wood, thinking that the if I remained standing it would look too angled, but your thinking might be right pcarfan. A higher angle might have also allowed me to capture more of the ocean and create more tension by featuring more of the multiple layers of wood, sand, ocean, and sky.

If I feel brave I might clone out that bit of wood sticking out in the middle of the center triangle (framed by the wood). That might provide a clearer and stronger visual. If I do I'll post it again.

Thanks!

Scampi

[kirbinster]

Great shot, I agree with KagoGrl I would like to see it with the hill on the right cropped out.

[aadam_21]

I liked the original, but I like the edit better. I wasn't sure what to say about the original - couldn't quite put my finger on it, but you nailed it with the edit. Much better details in the wood. I love the texture too.

The hill doesn't bother me at all. I've always lived in the Southeast US and all my beach trips have been to Florida where everything is FLAT. I like the cliff look in the background - maybe because it's different for me.

[clockdoc]

Nice work! Have you tried using reflectors or flash fill in shots of this type? Too much of either will flatten the contrast but just a little would open up the darker shadow area. Since you were shooting in the Manual mode, may I ask why you chose such a small aperture? Did you shoot any others with a larger aperture for comparison? You have a good eye for composition. Excellent tonal range even considering the shadow areas. This would make a stunning print! Thanks for sharing your work with us.