Oil Refinery Cityscape (Please Critique)

[tswisst]

My first post here.

I have been trying to learn more and more about this hobby/profession... Very intrigued.
Actually find myself with a camera in my car at all times...

This was one of those moments while waiting for a ferry that I thought, "This may make a pretty neat picture..."

Anyway, here it is... Please remember that I am pretty new to this, so be gentle.



(Like I said; this camera was the one left in my car)
Cannon Rebel XT
f/5.6
1/1000s
ISO-100

[dcclark]

First, welcome! And also -- very cool subject. I'd like to get in and around there. That said, I think that's the real problem -- you were quite a ways away from the refinery (not that I blame you, it's probably hard to get near to it!). It feels rather small and not terribly grand, but I'm sure that it really is. The background of towers is very cool, but again, not particularly grand.

If you colud get closer, that would be great. If you could get a different angle, so that we could see MORE of the towers, and have them fill the frame a bit more, that would also help. Finally, consider that big central tower. If it's going to be your subject, really bring it right up front and up close -- make it big, grand, receeding up into the sky. If not, consider moving it towards the left or right 1/3 line, where it might lead your eye into the rest of the scene.

Also, don't talk down your equipment. The technical quality looks great, and the camera you have with you is the best one to use!

[Bluenoser]

1. It's not the camera that makes the picture, it's the person behind it.

2.

Please remember that I am pretty new to this, so be gentle

Do you want people to be nice and say good things whether they're true or not, or do you want honest critique?

[tswisst]

@bluenoser:

Of course I want people to be honest and criticize the photo...

Many of you guys seem to do this as a profession. Your skills and equipment are awesome... I am very new to this and still haven't figured out all the functions of my equipment... With that said, I think it is probably perfectly normal to feel a little intimidated when making their first post...

So, when I ask for you to be gentle; I merely ask for criticism and not rudeness.

@dcclark:
Thank you, this was exactly what I was looking for...

[hokiemayur]

I loved the shot but then again I am a beginner too. I loved the smoke in the top right corner gives it a little more character.

[dcclark]

Looking again, I noticed the bushes appearing in the bottom. I can think of two things to do with those:

1. (The more obvious choice): Compose to avoid them, since they're distracting and aren't adding anything to the photo. That would give a more "barren" and industrial look to the photo.

2. (The more interesting choice): Include MORE of the bushes. Maybe even have them cover some of the refinery, or have a long foreground of bushes leading up to the refinery. That could give a surprising juxtaposition of nature and manmade. If they were flowering bushes or something otherwise pretty, it would be VERY striking. If they're dead and brown, they may emphasize the "industrial" nature of the photo.

Anyhow, just 2 (more) cents from me!

[EMansfield]

Generally, I already like it as it is. My only issue is foreground. The leaves at the bottom right appear too dark and very distracting. Where is this oil refinery located?

Cheers!

Eric Mansfield

[Bluenoser]

Overall I think this is a great shot. Nice colour, sky, clouds.

Exposure is a bit overdone, but PP could easily fix that.

I agree dcclark, the bushes are distracting. I would get as close as I could to the refinery, even if it's only in front of the bushes rather than behind.


Well done, keep taking pictures, it's the best way to improve.

[tswisst]

Thanks guys...

I love this!!!

I'm going to go take some more pics today...

[SuperDan]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Looking again, I noticed the bushes appearing in the bottom. I can think of two things to do with those:

1. (The more obvious choice): Compose to avoid them, since they're distracting and aren't adding anything to the photo. That would give a more "barren" and industrial look to the photo.

2. (The more interesting choice): Include MORE of the bushes. Maybe even have them cover some of the refinery, or have a long foreground of bushes leading up to the refinery. That could give a surprising juxtaposition of nature and manmade. If they were flowering bushes or something otherwise pretty, it would be VERY striking. If they're dead and brown, they may emphasize the "industrial" nature of the photo.

Anyhow, just 2 (more) cents from me!

I agree with the bushes being distracting in this composition, but above those I think that the pic is a good one... nice strong colors

Good job and it does help to just keep the camera with you at all times