Battleship to Monument

[wbrook13]

I spent a few hours touring the Battleship Texas yesterday, shooting images the whole time. While climbing higher for better vantage points, I came across this view.
My questions are as follows:

1. Is it clear what my subject is?
2. Does the ship "overpower" the monument?
3. Should I crop it tighter, to eliminate some of the ship? (no cropping done so far)
4. How is the exposure?

Any other comments, criticisms and suggestions welcome.

Thank you, in advance, for looking . . . . . and your comments and critique.



Exif data
Camera Canon EOS 50D
Exposure 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture f/11.0
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
X-Resolution 72 dpi
Y-Resolution 72 dpi
Orientation Horizontal (normal)

A little dodging, burning, levels adjustment, and increased vibrance a bit.

[Kaye's Eye's]

I have been there before a lot of photo opportunties. (1) I would assume the monument was the subject. (2) I think the ship does distract from the picture, however my focus still drift back to the monument. (3) I'm a newbie so not sure as far as exposure

[djscott]

I definitely think the ship distracts from the monument. I find my eyes focusing on the part of the ship that is dead center in the photo.

It also seems to me that the ship is in better focus than the monument. If the monument was in focus and the ship was not i believe it would tend to draw your eye more towards the monument. But the ship is SO prominent in the photo, that it tends to overpower everything else.

Now, that being said, it may be the fact that I spent 10 years in the Navy that makes me focus on the ship more.

I think this is a great picture of the ship. My initial thought would not be that the focal point is the monument.

Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

[photocist]

The monument seems to be supporting the ship, rather than the other way around.

[wbrook13]

Originally Posted by Kaye's Eye's

I have been there before a lot of photo opportunties. (1) I would assume the monument was the subject. (2) I think the ship does distract from the picture, however my focus still drift back to the monument. (3) I'm a newbie so not sure as far as exposure

Thank you, Kaye's Eye's. You are so right, a lot of photo opportunities. I took quite a few on the inside . . . . will post a few as I have time.

Originally Posted by djscott

I definitely think the ship distracts from the monument. I find my eyes focusing on the part of the ship that is dead center in the photo.

It also seems to me that the ship is in better focus than the monument. If the monument was in focus and the ship was not i believe it would tend to draw your eye more towards the monument. But the ship is SO prominent in the photo, that it tends to overpower everything else.

Now, that being said, it may be the fact that I spent 10 years in the Navy that makes me focus on the ship more.

I think this is a great picture of the ship. My initial thought would not be that the focal point is the monument.

Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

Thanks, djscott. I agree with all the things you wrote. I did focus on the ship, instead of the monument, and the DOF didn't allow them both to be in focus (my error). They were about to close the boat when I took this shot; and I didn't get a shot with the monument in focus. Wonder if I should crop the monument out of the picture?

Originally Posted by photocist

The monument seems to be supporting the ship, rather than the other way around.

I agree, photocist.

Thank you all for your critique.

[ReignX]

at 1st glance I can't distinguish this as a ship....i focused more on the monument and i tried to find why this become a ship.....then i saw a barrel that i believe would be a cannon...i think if you shot this more focus on at the back of the cannon (where the trigger is but, i don't know the view) and pointing the barrel to the monument, then i guess it would tell the sotry...

[subsonic]

Funny, but I guess it all depends on your perspective.

I spent years on ships and this picture reminds me of many moments out on a bridge wing or platform of some sort, so the image works for me in that context.

I also like the color/hue of the ship portion of the image. I can't argue with the other composition comments above, which are good critiques I think, but audience-wise, I like this one!

[wbrook13]

Originally Posted by ReignX

at 1st glance I can't distinguish this as a ship....i focused more on the monument and i tried to find why this become a ship.....then i saw a barrel that i believe would be a cannon...i think if you shot this more focus on at the back of the cannon (where the trigger is but, i don't know the view) and pointing the barrel to the monument, then i guess it would tell the sotry...

Thanks, ReignX, for your comments. I probably should have focused on the monument.

Originally Posted by subsonic

Funny, but I guess it all depends on your perspective.

I spent years on ships and this picture reminds me of many moments out on a bridge wing or platform of some sort, so the image works for me in that context.

I also like the color/hue of the ship portion of the image. I can't argue with the other composition comments above, which are good critiques I think, but audience-wise, I like this one!

Thanks, subsonic, for your comments. I'm glad you like it!