My first silhouette?

[cristen]

Camera Canon EOS 500D
Exposure 0.167 sec (1/6)
Aperture f/13.0
Focal Length 27 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

Hello. This is the first silhouette shot I posted for critique. Am seeking comments about the composition and the settings. I have always received comments on my aperture. LOL. I want to know if I did it right in this shot, especially that it is dusk. A different setting might be needed for this. Is this what you call a balanced shot?

Notice that tree on the right? It bothers me, but I couldn't have angled the shot in anyway not to include it. Should be cloned, don't you think?

Thanks.

[benchdog]

Hi cristen

I really like the composition and balance of this image. Nicely done!

I like your photo as it is, I don't find the tree distracting and think it adds to the depth of the image, but that's me.

I did though take the liberty to play with this a little. I hope you don't mind. When I shoot silhouettes I perfer have everything dark aganist the sky.

I decreased the exposure by one stop in PS. You could have achieved the same results in camera by increasing your shutter speed to 1/13 of a second or decrease your aperture to f/20Both would give you the same results.

Just another perspective

[cristen]

Thank you, Benchdog. Your rendition is so apt for a silhouette. It emphasized the lines of the cross and the slope of the mountain. But I miss the beautiful color of the mountain and the added interest made by the low clouds. (I didn't miss the tree, though )

[SwissJon]

I like Benchdogs change here.. I think it adds to the photo.. I like the sky witht he little whispy clouds. And for some reason, things in groups of 3 are always a good way to start a composition.

My only real comment on this is that perhaps it's a little too simple. The picture is sharp and clear, but it's not clear what you have in the photos. If these crosses are joined together, then fair enough, but if they're separate, would it be possible to have sht this so you could see that? I just think that would have given you a much stronger image, and made it obvious what the objects in the photo were.

[cristen]

Thanks for taking interest in my picture, SwissJon. Those crosses are joined together. I agree with you that it would have more impact if they were separate. But the designer of that landmark may have other things in mind. You see, that place is a lava channel of the volcano and many people near that area have lost their lives during violent eruptions. Crosses, being symbols of suffering, the designer must have thought that joining the crosses would mean that the pain/suffering of one or a few people is the pain/suffering of the entire community or the entire nation.