LR2 Processed Barn Storm Scene - Artistic Eye Needed

[Sistereinstein]

I have been looking for interesting scenes to shoot, and finally found one about 2 weeks ago.

I WAS very excited about it - though the more I look at it, the less so I am.
Why? To me it does not look natural and the composition itself does not seem complete.
Maybe this needs to be b/w to bring it all together.
What do you all think?

Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 116 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[spinview]

I like how fiery the skies seem to be. You probably hate to lose the color there.
But I see what you mean, after spending some minutes with the photo...

Yes, give the b&w conversion a try - you might be on to something there.
Second, consider a different crop. A greater emphasis on the vertical may help. Crop from the left...leaving about 1/4 of the shorter outbuilding showing.

Please share your results, would be great to see what you come up with!

[navcom]

Hi there! I know what storm system this was! I'm situated along the Mississippi River just on the Minnesota side. We had funnel clouds that evening before the storms reached you.

I like the picture but it seems a bit too busy. It's too easy for your eye to wander around making it harder to stay involved. I think one thing that would help is cropping out the fence line on the bottom so all you see is the sky and the barns.

Hope that helps!

[Cud]

yep, fence needs to be removed.

the focus of this particular image is the barn / silo, perhaps reduce emphasis on the sky?

[Sterling]

I think the processing of the sky is hurting this image. It looks like a pretty strong gradient was used to darken the top of the sky. I don't think it looks very natural and has destroyed a lot of the contrast. That big cloud is bright white becasue it is getting lots of light. I think I'd want to open up the brightness in the top of the sky and keep the clouds darker closer to the buldings. IMO, the drama of that sky has been reduced by the proceesing that has killed all the contrast.

[Sistereinstein]

Sterling I would completely agree with you. This was taken around sunset without the benefit of a tripod. Obviously the top clouds get the benefit of more light from the angle of the sun, and the I exposed for the building

I haven't given up trying - and this was a lot of fun to experiment with. I have a few shots that I am working with and appreciate everyone's input.

More great ideas - please!