First Coastal Shots

[RichMorrisPhotography]

Hi All

I have attached 2 pictures take in Weston Super Mare a few weeks ago (when it was sunny!!), all feedback would be great. I would love to know how to make the sky more interesting?

Thanks

Rich
water7.jpg

Attachment 46019

[ckodonne]

Hi Rich,

I really like the first image - great foreground interest. The lighting is fantastic in the second one as well - strong image and composition, although the horizon is slightly crooked.

To add more interest in the sky (especially the first one) you need to underexpose it a bit. Unless it's overcast, you'll rarely find a scene where the sky has the same exposure as the ground. You can use an ND grad filter to underexpose the sky (I strongly recommend the slot-in filters vs. the screw on ones for ND grads). If you're looking for a more accurate way or want to forgo purchasing more gear, I wrote a tutorial on exposure blending with Photoshop here that you may find helpful.

[navcom]

Hi!

The first shot looks like it has good "bones" but the second is pretty overexposed. What time of day was the second shot taken? Do you have any EXIF data?

I agree with ckodonne on the use of an ND filter. These scenes are made for them.

BTW...might want to take a gander at the critique forum rules...only one image per post, EXIF data, etc. before the mods get on you.

[Michael_2010]

I kind of like the second one better. Since the horizon is so linear with few obstructions, it would be very easy to rope the sky off and then really make it pop with slight adjustments to curves and levels. I just gave it a try and in all of 5 minutes, I had a very dramatic sky which better fits the mood of the foreground.

Now, you could do an Ansel Adams on us and set your camera to shoot in B&W then use colored filters to introduce drama into the sky. I think he used red filters to get those almost black and white skies.

[cm121886]

I like the first one better the water and colors are fantastic. Though I would have preferred that the nets not be pushed so far to the left just my personal opinion. The second shot is good like others have said a little overexposed and crooked but problem is there is nothing that draws my attention again JMHO.

[windrider86]

Here is the link for you read thru the guidelines so you'll know, without a doubt, what should be included and what shouldn't