Near Sunset of Redondo Beach

[janesa13]

Discuss, badger, ridicule, etc etc. You know the drill.

[jiminyClickit]

janesa13,

Technically a competent photo. Why did you do it? There're some clouds with a little pink, the dock has a nice reflection, there are some generic people, nondescript hills, and calm water, etc etc. Not ridicule. Really, is it a camera or lens test?

[janesa13]

This is the first time I took my DSLR for a vacation (it was 2006 thanksgiving).
I thought I should took a couple of beach pictures since it is close to where I stay at in Seattle.
I only have 1 camera with 1 lens (28-80mm nikon) so not much of a test
If people asked my why I took a pic, usually my answer will be "coz I think it looked nice"

[jiminyClickit]

janesa13,

That's the answer that makes the photo important. I couldn't smell the ocean or hear the surf or feel the breeze. That's probably with you when you look at it. That makes this a better photo.

[janesa13]

I couldn't feel my fingers when I took it. It was freezing!
Those people were fishing and apparently can enjoy the weather.

[Seltzer]

I understand the picture but i'm just not feeling it.. I don't know, it is a very competent and correct picture. The lines are wonderful and things are nicely lined up and I can certainly appreciate the harsh conditions that you went through.
Things that might be tried.. taking it from a lower angle could be a fun change, or lining up in the middle of the dock or even from straight down one of the railings just directly lined up with it.. Curiousity seems to be a great thing in photography, it just doesn't happen sometimes especially when getting distracted by other things such as the freezing temperatures.

[hsroxas]

I love the way the image was framed. It's just that when my eyes are drawn further, the emotion goes on a halt. I seem to be looking for something that I can not find. Maybe and this is a big maybe, there isn't just enough drama provided by the sky. There is some amount of color but not enough to create an emotional response.
Was just thinking, what if we try to emphasize the foreground which after all to me is the most powerful part of the image by converting the image to monochrome. Just an idea.

[janesa13]

I think I understand what you mean. It does look kinda empty now that you mentioned it.
For reference, here is what those people in the distance are doing:

[jiminyClickit]

janesa13,

Now THAT'S a photo with a punch! Compared to the other one, much more to see: activity, color, composition, and variation in scale. Sky, a little too much contrast, fixable. Crop, maybe include the front man's feet in future shots, and the light on pole (or eliminate). Quibbling; this is a better shot.

(If you were behind the white bench shown here aiming over these guys' shoulders to get that sky you showed in the first view, what would that give you?)

[ready123smile]

Originally Posted by janesa13

I think I understand what you mean. It does look kinda empty now that you mentioned it.
For reference, here is what those people in the distance are doing:

I like this shot better especially the composition.