Trying to be creative, but...

[chopstickjayne]

Originally Posted by mfreg

I have to agree with everyone combined.....I like the shot alot, I think a lens that would compress things a bit, get the people "closer", and the sandles to where they are actually cut off a little bit, where they fill the entire bottom of the frame to the extent that they protrude out from it a bit would really look cool......of course I wouldn't have thought of any of that on my own, but after reading the other responses, I really like their ideas.

Thanks so much for the critique...since I can't re-shoot this one, I'll try cropping to make it look closer to what you have described and see if that helps. Also, if I'm not mistaken, had I taken a position closer to the ground and filled up the foreground with the sandals as you suggested, I think that angle would have helped to shorten the perspective between the camera and my family in the ocean??? I also now have a new lens! Wish I would have had it then, but alas, I'll have to practice a similar technique somewhere in my daily real life! Life's a beach!

Many, many thanks to everyone!!!

[wulf]

I wonder if a bit less sky and bit more space below the sandals would work better? What you could try is sketching out different arrangements and seeing how they work. Next time you are in a similar situation, that might help you get a shot you are happier with.

You could either do this by scribbing on paper or even using your computer to adjust and move elements of the original picture. You don't have to be tidy as you are not trying to create a finished work of art.

Once you get the overall feel you like, don't forget about the details. For example, my guess is that your daughter is on the left and your husband on the right but the sandals are the other way round. Does it change the feel if that is swapped? I think it might... do some more sketching to explore the possibilities and then, next time you are in the right place, you will be well equipped to compose the scene and, if necesssary, dress the details so it all fits together.

Wulf

[irieness]

If you plan to reshoot this... I have a different kind of tip. Instead seeing those two already in the ocean. A more interesting approach could be snapping them while they are running towards the water. So that your picture becomes a bit less static and it brings more contrast between active people and still life (sandals).

[Robert Velasco]

What you were trying to do was to control the depth-of-field with foreground elements...

The smaller your aperture, the greater the depth-of-field will be.

Try this;

Set your lens to the widest aperture possible (the smallest aperture number)
Point your camera at the foreground element and press the shutter halfway
Compose your picture.

The foreground element will be perfectly focused and the elements farther away will be softer and softer the greater the distance from the foreground element. You can control the amount of bokeh by adjusting the aperture. To get your distant objects more focused, close down your aperture. Repeat the procedure until you get what you want.


Happy shooting!

[AnnaV]

I think it would look good if the sandals were off-centre too - I think having the people and the sandals all the in the centre doesn't work as well. So if you position them according to the rule of thirds, I think it would be more pleasing to the eye

[chopstickjayne]

Originally Posted by wulf

I wonder if a bit less sky and bit more space below the sandals would work better? What you could try is sketching out different arrangements and seeing how they work. Next time you are in a similar situation, that might help you get a shot you are happier with.

You could either do this by scribbing on paper or even using your computer to adjust and move elements of the original picture. You don't have to be tidy as you are not trying to create a finished work of art.

Once you get the overall feel you like, don't forget about the details. For example, my guess is that your daughter is on the left and your husband on the right but the sandals are the other way round. Does it change the feel if that is swapped? I think it might... do some more sketching to explore the possibilities and then, next time you are in the right place, you will be well equipped to compose the scene and, if necesssary, dress the details so it all fits together.

Wulf

Excellent advice and lots of details to consider that would help make more of an impact with a shot like this one! Good call on the sandals being reversed, Wulf. You've got quite an eye there! Didn't even think about that - In fact, the original shot only had one pair of sandals so I placed my husband's later - I tend to rush myself when I have an idea. Good stuff, Wulf. Thanks so much.

[chopstickjayne]

Originally Posted by irieness

If you plan to reshoot this... I have a different kind of tip. Instead seeing those two already in the ocean. A more interesting approach could be snapping them while they are running towards the water. So that your picture becomes a bit less static and it brings more contrast between active people and still life (sandals).

Great idea! This would have allowed me to take the shot before they got so far away, as well. That would have been cute Thanks for the recommendation - this is how I learn best - after the fact My kids have a swim meet coming up. I'm already thinking of some way to apply your idea!! Here's hoping. Thanks so much for the input!

[chopstickjayne]

Originally Posted by Robert Velasco

What you were trying to do was to control the depth-of-field with foreground elements...

The smaller your aperture, the greater the depth-of-field will be.

Try this;

Set your lens to the widest aperture possible (the smallest aperture number)
Point your camera at the foreground element and press the shutter halfway
Compose your picture.

The foreground element will be perfectly focused and the elements farther away will be softer and softer the greater the distance from the foreground element. You can control the amount of bokeh by adjusting the aperture. To get your distant objects more focused, close down your aperture. Repeat the procedure until you get what you want.


Happy shooting!

Thank you for the lesson, Robert! I recently got a new lens with larger aperture capabilities so it will give me more of a range to play with

Thanks for taking the time to help!

[chopstickjayne]

Originally Posted by AnnaV

I think it would look good if the sandals were off-centre too - I think having the people and the sandals all the in the centre doesn't work as well. So if you position them according to the rule of thirds, I think it would be more pleasing to the eye

YES! I had not even looked at that aspect of the composition but that's a very good thing to remember! I will say, there is so much to think about and 'notice' when you're taking a picture like this - I am really going to have to keep at it in order for the camera settings, comp. rules, etc. to come more naturally so I can focus on other aspects of the picture I'm trying to take. Man! This could take a while

Thank you very much for your suggestion!