The Beach

[EOBeav]

This was taken on a recent trip to the Oregon Coast. I was going for a long exposure shot of the waves coming in to the beach, that included both foreground and background interest. How does this work for you compositionally? Too much water motion? Not enough? Any other thoughts you have are also welcome. Thanks in advance for your comments, suggestions, and questions.

PS: Please pardon the water spots! It had been raining.



EXIF:
Camera: Canon Rebel XSi (450D)
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L
Shutter speed: 3.2
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 200
Focal length: 17mm

[windrider86]

The water motion is fine but you need some oomph to it. There are different areas of your photo that need work.
The colors are drab and need some depth. A trick I like to do is to duplicate the image and set the blend mode to soft light. Gives it an instant face lift.

[navcom]

Hi Rick! I like the composition and I think the movement is good. I agree with Michelle that the color is the only real downfall. Was it middle-of-the-day light?

Would be a stunner at sunset.

[EOBeav]

It was late evening, 30 minutes or so before sunset, but very cloudy. As far as the colors go, what you see is what you get. Windrider, I will try that layering effect some time. Thanks for the suggestion!

[milosh]

I agree that this would be an awesome photo if shot at sunset, but I also don't like the position of the foreground rock, I would like to see it shifted either right or left, probably to the right, and maybe combined with a little lower point of view. Just my personal view.

[SwissJon]

Hi Rick,

Aside from what's been said (I agree with Milosh about the positioning, maybe moving the camera a few feet to your right would have given you a slight change to the foreground without spoilling the horizon which I like) I like this composition. I like the faded cliffs to the right, and the rock on the left, although I would like to have seen that either whole, or cropped at the lowest point. I think you got the movement spot on.

I wonder if a hard ND Grad would have been appropriate here? Might have brought a bit of detail into the sky.. You could try in PP, see what happens. Clone out the water spots too if you can, I think this one is worth the effort.

Thank you Michelle.. I just tried your trick on something and it's given the whole picture an immediate lift. I learned something today!

[mwanafunzi]

This is something that I struggle with quite a bit, and I see it in your photo. The background is slightly out of focus.

Also, because the foreground rock takes over the photo, i feel that it could do with a lot more detail.

[Peggyjom]

Originally Posted by EOBeav

It was late evening, 30 minutes or so before sunset, but very cloudy. As far as the colors go, what you see is what you get. Windrider, I will try that layering effect some time. Thanks for the suggestion!

I like this shot, I do wonder though whata tiny bit less water movement would look like. It is just a bit flat (the water that is) I know our oregon coast doesn't have much for waves. I also know you were darn lucky to get those splashes of light spots in the sky! I love our coast and you did a great job of capturing the beautiful shore line!