What’s Your Preference?

foxor · #1 (**permalink**) 02-27-2011, 05:28 AM

Below is a picture I took at Granville Island, Vancouver, Canada just after sunset. I have only had my SLR since Christmas, so I still have lots to learn!

Feedback is appreciated in particular on:
-Composition
-The blur in the bottom right hand corner (bicyclist): good, or distracting? (I have an identical version of the picture without blurs of passersby)
-Colouring: I haven't done any work on this in photoshop or aperture yet, and am thinking I should probably tone down the blue. Also have a feeling this might make a good B&W shot. Are there any other ideas for post-pro that I'm missing?

EXIF data:
Exif data

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T1i
Exposure 1.6
Aperture f/20.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
X-Resolution 72 dpi
Y-Resolution 72 dpi
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
Software Aperture 3.1.1
Date and Time (Modified) 2011:02:04 20:32:19
Exposure Program Shutter speed priority AE
Date and Time (Original) 2011:02:04 20:32:19
Date and Time (Digitized) 2011:02:04 20:32:19
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Sub Sec Time 38
Sub Sec Time Original 38
Sub Sec Time Digitized 38
Color Space sRGB
Focal Plane X-Resolution 5315.435897 dpi
Focal Plane Y-Resolution 5342.326923 dpi
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Scene Capture Type Standard

(edited to fix the fact that my image wasn't displaying properly)

pesawa · #2 (**permalink**) 02-27-2011, 10:24 AM

foxor,

here are my 50 cents on composition: What is the subject of the photo? The boats, the "Granville Island" lights under the bridge or something else? I can't figure that out. The bridge leads out of the picture and the pedestrian walkway doesn't add anything to the picture.

I would try and crop out the walkway and place the Granville lights according to rule of thirds as main subject. Maybe that would work as a starter. I don't find the cyclist disturbing but the crop would solve that question if that bothers you.

Hope I am not too harsh. I do have lots to learn and hope that by looking other people's pictures I will improve your and my own photography as well

.

/p

SwissJon · #3 (**permalink**) 02-27-2011, 11:34 AM

Yay.. Someone finally posted enough Exif data.. Maybe a bit much, but I shan't discourage you.

I find the picture a bit dark, and a bit muddled.. There's too much going on..

The cyclist is just a smudge, so doesn't add. Nor does the foreground path..

If you get the chance, step forwards and take a similar photo when you can see the lights reflected in the water.. Try zooming in, using portrait mode and crop almost everything except the brightly lit bits. Do it when it's a bit darker, the boats and bridge are a bit confusing.

Post processing I'd lighten the picture and crop tighter. I wouldn't worry about the blue too much, that's just the post-golden hour dusk colour and it adds context for me.

foxor · #4 (**permalink**) 02-27-2011, 01:14 PM

Thank you both for the feedback. I see what you mean about the shot being confusing, and how I could have composed it differently to make it better. Unfortunately I can't retake the shot anytime soon, as I don't live in Vancouver. In fact, this one was taken without a tripod on my way to meet a friend for dinner, so I quickly improvised by balancing my camera on a railing to take the shot...hence the large amount of the pedestrian pathway. I've taken your advice and adjusted the crop, but to be honest I don't feel it helps as much as I'd hoped (feel free to disagree...maybe I'm just not seeing it yet).

Thank you again for your critiques!

Krusty79 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-28-2011, 09:11 PM

That's better - you've cropped out the problems with the foreground, but you still have the problem of the shot being very busy with no clear subject. Next time you take a shot like this, I would try to keep in mind the path that you are establishing for the viewer's eye. The eye should naturally be drawn to your intended subject. That's why leading lines are so effective in landscapes. Keep shooting!

SwissJon · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:13 AM

I can't really replicate it with your photo, but I think you would do well to take photos like this later in the evening and expose for the areas that you want to be the subject.

The best I can do is turn the photo black and white and reduce the blues and increase the yellow.. It's not perfect, but you get the idea.. Your subject starts to stand out against the rest, without losing the context.