Lights @ beachfront

[Abhi]

Hi all,

This is a photo taken at the local beachfront. I wanted to capture the lights against the backdrop of the sunset. Due to the lack of a subject, I consciously left the photo a bit out of focus. Would like your opinions on the composition and PP of the photo or anything in general.

Thanks in advance

[SwissJon]

I don't think you should have left it out of focus personally, I find my eyes losing focus in an attempt to clarify the image. There's too much detail in there for this lack of focus. Maybe without the people and cars this might have worked, but as it is, to me it looks like you opened the shutter by accident.

[sourav]

A large F number would have captured all the lights and would have looked more appealing.

[Krusty79]

Sorry, but the lack of focus is not working for me either. That, the lack of a clear subject and the tilted horizon makes it look more like a casual snapshot instead of a planned composition.

[Abhi]

Thanks guys for taking the time to comment....appreciate it

[photocist]

I must say I kinda like the OOF. It adds to a generally mundane photo. It would be an interesting technique to investigate.

[Abhi]

Originally Posted by photocist

I must say I kinda like the OOF. It adds to a generally mundane photo. It would be an interesting technique to investigate.

Hey thanks...that's what I thought. Guess depends on personal preferences too

[BCampbell]

I don't understand why you would take a photo when you think there's no subject. If a photo isn't good, no trick will magically make it good.

The horizon is tilted pretty badly.

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by Abhi

Hey thanks...that's what I thought. Guess depends on personal preferences too

It's not about personal preferences here.. You missed the point I think..

The idea of using OOF is an interesting technique.. But you still need to improve the content of the photo to the point where the OOF works.

Here's an article I found about the idea to help you. I particularly like the first two photos where the snow and bubbles are focussed instead of the subject.. It looks very intentional.

Taking Unfocused Photos

[Krusty79]

The point is we're trying to give you tips so you won't have mundane photos. Then you won't have to try the OOF. Have you really seen other OOF focus shots that you admire? I almost never have. The ones that do work still have to follow the basic composition rules. The only time I've seen it work (for me) is when you want to selectively blur part of the image to emphasize another, not to blur the whole image. I don't know if you're going to progress as a photographer if you start relying on blurring images to salvage something. Same thing for taking photos at cockeyed angles. If you have a good image to start with, you won't have to resort to gimmicks.