Pastel Swirls - First try with ND filters

[MidnightSWolf]

Recently got HiTech ND filters for my birthday, and I took it down to the beach to try.
Hope I attached it right, if not, it's on 500px: 500px / Photo "Pastel Swirls" by Joycelyn Siew

Canon EOS 550D
HiTech ND1.2
ISO 100 | f/5.6 | 28mm | 8s

Is the subject/shot interesting? How's the composition? It doesn't quite follow the rule of thirds, but I still like how it's laid out. I want to know what you guys think.

Also, while on this topic, I've attached the original. I hope this isn't against the rules, as it technically isn't another photo or a comparison. As you can see, this shot was considerably post processed. I switched my camera to manual to bump down the shutter speed, and didn't realised the aperture had changed from f/18 to f/5.6 (doh!). This makes me guilty, because even though I love the result, I really believe in getting it right in-camera, and not "fixing it" in photoshop.

[RainaStars]

What an interesting shot! It almost looks to me like a fantasy scene. I can't really tell where the water ends and the sky begins (or is it all water?), but it's a very neat effect! On that note, towards the upper right corner of the picture there are some little rocks, I think, but they almost seem to be floating in the air and it's just a little distracting to me since I can't quite distinguish them. I also like how it's laid out, but I can't help but feeling the big rock on the left is a bit "squished" close to the edge of the picture. Maybe if it was just another hair further away from the edge?
It does look very nice!
And that's just my newbie two cents worth...

-Raina

[MidnightSWolf]

Thank you so much for your feedback Yes, it is all water, but the larger waves in the upper corner haven't smoothed out yet, which makes it look like rolling clouds. So it looks like there's sky, and yet there's not, which I think really adds to the surreal effect. So glad you like it too It really is quite encouraging, since I love fantasy, and dream of combining fantasy and photography.

The "squished" rock is noted. I'll pay more attention to my framing next time. Thanks!

[Krusty79]

Nice shot! I can't really see the horizon, so that gives it kind of an abstract feel. My only critique is that the image looks a little overexposed to me. I wonder how a shorter exposure would look. Usually, that brings out more colors.

[navcom]

I agree...great composition and effect. It's almost "impressionistic". I agree with Krusty on the exposure. A tad less on the shutter speed or an extra stop on the aperture and you might have pulled in more color.

Great shot!