Flat?

[ZannieGirl49]

I was wondering if this shot works or if the colors are too much alike if that makes sense. Is it flat? Anything I can do to make it better?



Nikon D90
ISO 400
Exposure 1/160
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 105mm

[zona5101]

Nice image. I think the similar colors are fine. I might crop it closer so only the shells are in the shot. I think there will then be more variety of color as the large mono-colored area to the right is eliminated. dunno, just a thought!

[GirlyGirlSebas]

Originally Posted by ZannieGirl49

I was wondering if this shot works or if the colors are too much alike if that makes sense. Is it flat? Anything I can do to make it better?



Nikon D90
ISO 400
Exposure 1/160
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 105mm

I quite like the tones of this one. I would recommend a crop which removes the top portion of your picture. The circular curve and the textures add something special to this one. Limiting to just the shells would remove a lot of visual interest. If you're not opposed to editing your work a bit, adding some highlight through Photoshop would add even more interest and texture.

[LeeR]

Don't be afraid to let texture play a starring role on a shot like this. You actually had perfect light for this shot and you could have shot these barnacles straight on and it would have worked great. As it is, I am not all that thrilled with the composition. Too bad, 'cause you had perfect light. (Look at the wall beneath the barnacles. See how there is only a hint of a shadow? This is perfect for shooting outdoor portraits. You could make Chewbacca look good in that light!)

[ZannieGirl49]

Originally Posted by GirlyGirlSebas

I would recommend a crop which removes the top portion of your picture. If you're not opposed to editing your work a bit, adding some highlight through Photoshop would add even more interest and texture.

Thanks GirlyGirl. I've cropped the image and added highlights and here's what I came up with. Better?

Originally Posted by LeeR

Don't be afraid to let texture play a starring role on a shot like this. You actually had perfect light for this shot and you could have shot these barnacles straight on and it would have worked great. As it is, I am not all that thrilled with the composition. Too bad, 'cause you had perfect light. (Look at the wall beneath the barnacles. See how there is only a hint of a shadow? This is perfect for shooting outdoor portraits. You could make Chewbacca look good in that light!)

Thanks, I really appreciate your input. I took a photography course and the instructor told us, "If the light isn't good, hang out. It may change and it may not but if you leave you'll never know." So, we waited which isn't exactly torture when you're at the beach.

I actually took the original shot from above and what looks like a wall is actually the sand on the beach, the water on the right was a small inlet that the waves made during low tide. I also took these other shots almost at eye level with the mussels. Are these a little better in terms of capturing the light and highlighting texture? I'm sure a bit more could be done in PP but I'm still a novice and trying to learn what everything does.