Dry Creek Canyon Bridge

[EOBeav]

Hi everybody. How does this crop work for you? I'm trying to use the rule of thirds, and don't know whether to use the bridge or the horizon as the one-third point. Did I leave in too much sky? Also, does the sepia effect work for you? Any other comments, questions, or suggestions you have are also appreciated.



I drive through this area several times a year. I had hoped for some big, fluffy clouds over those hills, but it was not to be. Just the low hanging, non-descript clouds you see here. I used a polarizer to try to get some detail, but that only goes so far. Also, I broke one of my major rules by shooting in the middle of the day, instead of during the sunset/sunrise hours that gives us better light. That's why I resorted to a monochrome treatment.


EXIF:
Camera: Canon XSi
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm L f/4
Shutter speed: 1/40
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 100
Focal length: 20mm

[photocist]

It seems like there is too much sky. id like to see you get closer in. maybe go to that 17mm length and do a landscape shot.

and the sepia doesnt work imo. if you are gonna go monochrome id like to see b&w, though i still think it would look a little flat. color would make the bridge stand out a bit more i think.

[johnske]

Originally Posted by photocist

It seems like there is too much sky. id like to see you get closer in. maybe go to that 17mm length and do a landscape shot.

and the sepia doesnt work imo. if you are gonna go monochrome id like to see b&w, though i still think it would look a little flat. color would make the bridge stand out a bit more i think.

Agree, the eye is drawn to the sky and the sepia doesn't do it justice.

As for your question, IMO I would put the horizon at the 1/3 point - but then that's only an opinion

[SwissJon]

I think the sky would work if you had some dark menacing storm clouds.. As it is, they don't have any interesting textures.. I think the crop you used is a strong one, it just needs the right weather for what you were after.

I like the sepia tone, again, I think the right weather will complete this, I think if you were to crop into landscape as others are suggesting, you'd have a nice picture of the bridge, but you'd lose the context that potentially makes this a very strong picture.. Personally I think you need to go back when the weather is right

Oh.. and I don't know if it's the perspective or what, but the whole picture looks wonky. I've checked, and the bridge is perfectly level, but maybe that's the problem, at the angle you took the photo, perhaps the bridge should have had an angle to it.. Or maybe I just need to go to the opticians?

lots of potential here, just the wrong day for the photo.

[EOBeav]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Oh.. and I don't know if it's the perspective or what, but the whole picture looks wonky. I've checked, and the bridge is perfectly level, but maybe that's the problem, at the angle you took the photo, perhaps the bridge should have had an angle to it.. Or maybe I just need to go to the opticians?

I think one thing that throws us off (I'd noticed it before) is that the land in the background actually slopes down, and doesn't stay level with the bridge. This shot is taken as straight on as possible, without actually hitting the bottom of the canyon a few hundred feet below.

lots of potential here, just the wrong day for the photo.

I agree, and I almost didn't post it because of that. This spot is actually a hundred miles or so from where I live, and it's just off the freeway a few miles. For much of my trip yesterday we had some nice fluffy clouds, but they had degenerated into this by the time I got here. Oh well; there's always next time.