A first attempt: portrait or cityscape?

[S_Sanyal]

I have seen / posted in this "landscape/cityscape" section, inanimate landscapes without any people it them so far, and got very insightful feedback. This is a new approach I tried by juxtaposing a person in action into a scene.

Nikon D90 + 18-200mm Nikkor + Polarising filter
EXIF: f = 18 mm; f/11Aperture; 1/30 s; ISO 100

1. How well is the scene composed / lit? I like it like this, but is there any off-balance emphasis; I have tried to give equal emphasis to the rower and the river/sky beyond...how well does this come across..?

2. The tilt of the oar is meant to complement the sky and the shot was made following a half an hour wait to get the right angle and cloud orientation. I need to know whether that seems worth it, in terms of strengthening the picture?

3. Any other observations or feedback are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[hokiemayur]

I love the silhouette and the colors.

[KansaiGreenie]

Hi S_Sanyal,

Wow! This is a very nice image. It is really wonderful.

1. How well is the scene composed / lit? I like it like this, but is there any off-balance emphasis; I have tried to give equal emphasis to the rower and the river/sky beyond...how well does this come across..?

I think that the balance is good. I don't feel that either is visually dominate in the image.

2. The tilt of the oar is meant to complement the sky and the shot was made following a half an hour wait to get the right angle and cloud orientation. I need to know whether that seems worth it, in terms of strengthening the picture?

I have always felt that photography is a waiting game and in this instance I think it was worth it. I think that the sky is very attractive with wonderful clouds.

3. Any other observations or feedback are welcome.

I think it is a little too dark; I would brighten up the image. Silhouettes can be really tricky. They should be dark, but not too dark. Also, if this were my image I would saturate the colors in the sky as well. But that is just my taste.

I hope that helps with your questions. This is a wonderful image. Well done.

KG

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks Hokiemayur and Kansai for your observations.

I think it is a little too dark; I would brighten up the image. Silhouettes can be really tricky. They should be dark, but not too dark. Also, if this were my image I would saturate the colors in the sky as well. But that is just my taste.

I see your point, will try with the saturation of the colours and the brightening of the silhouette, though my hunch is that the latter may take away a bit of the drama because as such, the rower's figure and posture is highlighted more with minimal detail.Lets see....I'll post a response to this soon with both options.

Thanks again.

[carles]

I love how you captured the clouds. The composition is also good. I Agree with Kansai that the image might be a little too dark. But it's nice anyway.

[S_Sanyal]

These are the two options I tried, 1st is to strengthen the silhouette and deepen the colours, 2nd is by lightening it so that rower and sky are more at par (reduction in colour depth of sky and revelation of rower details)...

The fact I like about either edit, especially the first is that a hitherto unnoticed orange reflection in the water in the right bottom of the frame is revealed.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks