Beginner needs a feedback

[ADefensor]

Hello all, glad I discovered this page to learn more about photography. I just had my DSLR last December given as a gift and still fiddling with manuals. This is my first post so far in this website. I just need honest opinion and critique with my image. How is my composition, colour and everything else. Thanks in advance.

EXIF DATA TAKEN FROM FLICKR:
Camera Canon EOS 500D
Exposure 30 seconds
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 21 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Software Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows
Exposure Program Manual
Metering Mode Multi-segment
White Balance Manual
Lens Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5
Tripod was used.

[BuddhaPi]

welcome to DPS,nice image, I'm no pro, the only thing that bothers me is the boat in the center is really blurry, possibly due to movement?? or just out of focus.

[ADefensor]

Buddhapi, Thank you for welcoming me here. Yes, it was really windy that time and definitely due to the movement of the boat. By the way, is it affecting the overall appearance of the image? how can i improve this next time?

[Krusty79]

The interesting parts of your photo are all crammed into the top half of it, so I would prefer to see less water in the foreground and more of the boats and buildings. I think that if you could move to the left, there is another boat or something linear along the left edge that you could use a leading line into your shot. That would also give you some foreground interest, which is lacking in the current composition. I have no idea where this is, but it is definitely an interesting scene with some potential.

I think you were correct in using f/10 and ISO 100.

[ADefensor]

Thank you Krusty for your detailed advise. I will try to shoot again and recompose, less of water and more of buildings and sky to see how it looks like. It was taken at Paddington, the place is called little Venice in UK. You are correct, there was another boat situated in the left side.

[ADefensor]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I think you were correct in using f/10 and ISO 100.

Thank you.

[Baydream]

You may want to takes your ISO up to 200 and shorten the exposure to reduce movement from the boat. Even experiment with ISO400 and 800 (your camera can handle it) and again shorten the exposure. That will give you a guide series to compare and make better decisions. Print all four and compare them to see where your best option lies. 800 may created too much "noise" but I don't believe 400 will.

[ADefensor]

Baydream thanks for expanding my options. I will try also shooting when the wind is calm with around 200 to 400 iso

[KaaPhotography]

I agree with the slight blurriness in the center but do like the light reflections in the water but maybe just a little too much water. Possibly change position more to the right to change the angle of the shot. Also agree with upping the ISO just a bit to speed up the shutter. Definitely use a tripod.

[ADefensor]

thanks KAA and others. Points taken: 1.) To play around with my ISO from 200-400 to increase the exposure maybe to 10 seconds to eliminate the blurred movement of the boat, but the question is? will I achieve the same effect in my water with 10 seconds exposure? 2.) To minimise the foreground and get tad of buildings and sky. I will try to shoot that place again.