Mississippi Pearl

[navcom]

I really struggled with this one composition-wise. Maybe I'm just paranoid here. I scouted this location for a couple days for a good sunrise comp. I arrived there this morning and continued the struggle right through the sunrise. I just couldn't seem to find an angle that flowed which I really liked that included both the boat/dock and the sunrise. I tried 16mm, 28mm, portrait, landscape, and moved all over the beach. This was as close to the boat as I could get without trespassing.

Maybe it's just me. I took a few that were OK but I just don't feel that "spark" about them. Here is one that I think is the best of the lot. I have others posted on my Flickr account if you are interested in comparing.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this composition better? Do these look alright or am I just being hyper-sensitive here? I need some java!



Pentax K20D
ISO 200 (should've been 100...lazy photographer wasn't paying attention!! )
1/2 @ f/11
16mm

[wmbtaylor]

I would have liked to have seen the entire boat in this picture but otherwise a great shot. Maybe crop a little off of the right?

[peeperita]

i think this image shows that you put a lot of thought into the composition and timing.......your horizon is where it should be .....your sun couldn't have been placed better......and the light falling on the boat is timed perfectly, giving both good crisp focus and enough light to it's detail without being overwhelming in the scene......

what is this spark you're missing?.......is it the color saturation?

peeper

[navcom]

I'm not sure. You know how on some pictures, when you push the shutter button, you just know it's going to be a keeper? I never got that feeling this morning. I couldn't get in an angle that I just felt was right.

Maybe I didn't get enough sleep last night. The more I look at this one now the more it grows on me. Maybe I'm just be over-critical.

[mike1187]

I think what is missing is something in the sky. its just a bit too blank for my tastes. Perhaps just a few feathery clouds catching the orange light, and being reflected in the water would be enough to liven up the photo.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by mike1187

I think what is missing is something in the sky. its just a bit too blank for my tastes. Perhaps just a few feathery clouds catching the orange light, and being reflected in the water would be enough to liven up the photo.

I know what you mean. Yesterday morning was absolutely perfect. A few low clouds, a bit of upper-level haze, and the colors were out of this world. Unfortunately my camera was back at the house and I was on my way to work.

[tvoelcker]

This is really a tough call.
I see why it intrigued you but certainly is a difficult shot to compose.
With the boat being so far to the left and not much to counter the weight on the right side of the frame it is causing it to be off balance.
The boat also appears to be a tad bit under-exposed but perhaps it is my monitor.
Perhaps a few more steps to the left so you could have place the sun a bit closer to the boat would have helped but to be honest I'm really grasping on how to improve the composition.
Your a far greater photographer then myself but I'm trying to help..

[navcom]

Originally Posted by tvoelcker

This is really a tough call.
I see why it intrigued you but certainly is a difficult shot to compose.
With the boat being so far to the left and not much to counter the weight on the right side of the frame it is causing it to be off balance.
The boat also appears to be a tad bit under-exposed but perhaps it is my monitor.
Perhaps a few more steps to the left so you could have place the sun a bit closer to the boat would have helped but to be honest I'm really grasping on how to improve the composition.
Your a far greater photographer then myself but I'm trying to help..

Greater photographer? Ha! Thanks for the compliment but am not sure if it applies. Today's been a Monday sort of Saturday when it comes to photography. I'm thinking that I agree with your comment on my other photo....



I think I'm warming to this one. I can crop it a bit to make it better as well. Anybody else agree? I really appreciate the help! It is so nice to have a sounding board to bounce these things off.

[navcom]

Sorry for the second quick post. I just cropped the image to a 1:2 ratio and I think I just got a spark! I like this one! Am I correct or am I just desperate?

[tvoelcker]

This one gets my vote all the way!
What a difference with the crop.

Originally Posted by navcom

Sorry for the second quick post. I just cropped the image to a 1:2 ratio and I think I just got a spark! I like this one! Am I correct or am I just desperate?