Lighthouse

[faisal_76704]

Here is a shot of a lighthouse that i took a couple of days ago. Do comment based on the composition, exposure and colors. thanks..

Gear : Nikon D90
Focal Length : 105 mm | Aperture : f22 | Shutter Speed : 2.5" | ISO : 100

For better view : http://www.flickr.com/photos/d​unia-...n/photostream/

[ravncat]

A calm scene with a good balance between ground and sky and a nice gradient of color - the color gives this image strength - I do not think it would be as strong in black and white. As to exposure, the water in the foreground is oddly brighter than the sky and there is no black in the image, giving it a peaceful low contrast feel. I think a touch more contrast might be nice - with a little bit of a brightening in the sky, i think there are some cloud details that could be brought out a bit more. Saturation is fine. There's not a whole lot happening in the foreground between the change in shade of blue or in the sky above the upper cloud wisps - it's very easy to imagine a horizontal crop in this image. All in all, pleasant and simple but perhaps a cliche subject.

I think it could be a bit sharper - I'm not sure why you used F22. Maybe to give you the shutter speed to blur the water? I think you might have a slightly better image at f16 or f11, but with your distance to the wall and lighthouse, you probably don't need to be beyond f8 and f 5.6 would probably get you the depth of field you need for this. (Provided you don't need the depth for the longer shutter speed). Certainly not a bad choice to go f22 - but it may have robbed you of a little more detail in the rock and a bit of sharpness along the rocks edge - though it's hard to tell with a web sized image.

Most important is your goal in the shot - you've succeeded at capturing a very solitary and calm moment - it evokes feelings of content I think.


(update) as I make it home and look at it with this monitor - I find it definitely odd that the foreground is so much lighter than the rest of the scene

[Doug Sundseth]

Nice color and exposure here. The only comment I have is that I think it might have worked better as a landscape. The top part of the sky isn't as interesting as the lower part, and I think you could lose a bit of the bottom of the sea without much cost to the image. And with a landscape crop, the diagonal line of the mole would be a stronger compositional element.

HTH

[navcom]

+1 for landscape orientation. Horizontal orientation works best for landscapes about 80% of the time (thus the term "landscape" orientation). Vertical orientation usually only works if you have dominant vertical lines or other elements that lead the viewer into a vertical motion. In your shot, most of the lines are horizontal. The horizon, the land mass, and the clouds all lead the viewer's eyes horizontally. With the vertical orientation, the viewer's eyes stop too soon at the edges.

With a horizontal orientation and with the lighthouse in the right 1/3, the viewer's eyes will naturally be led along the land mass right to your main subject...the lighthouse.

Hope that helps!

[faisal_76704]

I am still new in using nd grads. Maybe i used the wrong grads,that is why the sky seems darker than the foreground. I really am trying to discover which grad to use depend on the current situation.

I think i noticed where i went wrong. I need to compose this image the other way around. vertical orientation is not suitable because the sky doesnt have many clouds effect right? i also need to place my subject based on the rule of third right? i hope i am on the right track here

[Doug Sundseth]

I think you have the gist of our suggestions. But realize that they're just suggestions.

FWIW, I don't see the darker sky as a negative. I like the color composition you have here.

[navcom]

There really isn't a "best way" to take a photograph. It's all based on what you are trying to convey to the viewer and what you want to emphasize. You have a nice uncluttered image with one very powerful horizontal line...the shoreline leading to the main subject...the lighthouse. In the vertical orientation this powerful line isn't utilized. Plus you are right...there is a lot of empty space above the clouds that wouldn't be included as much in a horizontal orientation.

The rule of thirds isn't a mandatory rule for landscapes, though many scenes lend themselves well to this type of composition. But I always recommend to newer landscape photographers to try and get used to using this rule as it helps us see and think more about the composition and how elements interact with each other. Learning how to position your elements, including lines, curves, textures, and your main subject(s), is what makes a work of art from a simple snapshot.

I think you did well with the exposure (maybe just a bit underexposed). Your use of an ND grad looks great. I do like the simplicity of your shot.

[navcom]

BTW...here's a quick edit of your photo (if you want me to take it down, just let me know). This shows the composition we were discussing as well as increasing the exposure a bit...

[mwanafunzi]

Originally Posted by ravncat

Most important is your goal in the shot - you've succeeded at capturing a very solitary and calm moment - it evokes feelings of content I think.

I concur with rancat. I feel that you current orientation helps emphasis this.

[faisal_76704]

tq very much with all the comments and suggestion,i will keep it in mind. am sorry for the late reply,i have been very busy lately..

Originally Posted by navcom

BTW...here's a quick edit of your photo (if you want me to take it down, just let me know). This shows the composition we were discussing as well as increasing the exposure a bit...

no do not take it down,in fact i really like it. the new picture seems to be using the concept rule of third right? 1/3 of water and 2/3 of sky. and the lighthouse was placed also based on rule of third. nicely done..

Looks like i really need to shoot more to polish my composition skills..

Many thanks again.