Candid winter beach shot

[foxor]

Caught this shot of my friend during a recent walk down to a little beach in Vancouver. I am looking on input on composition and everything, but in particular I'm also looking for feedback on what I did with the colour balance, levels, and curves, which were adjusted in Aperture. I'm not exactly sure what I was going for, but I wanted it to be sort of dark/tranquil. Did I go too dark with it?

[windrider86]

May I suggest reading the forum rules so you'll know what to include in your posts. It will help us to know more about your photo and to know better how to help you. Thanks!

[foxor]

Here is the EXIF Info:

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T1i
Exposure 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash
X-Resolution 1
Y-Resolution 1
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
Software Aperture 3.1.1
Date and Time (Modified) 2011:02:05 19:55:03
Exposure Program Portrait
Date and Time (Original) 2011:02:05 19:55:03
Date and Time (Digitized) 2011:02:05 19:55:03
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Sub Sec Time 08
Sub Sec Time Original 08
Sub Sec Time Digitized 08
Color Space sRGB
Focal Plane X-Resolution 5315.435897 dpi
Focal Plane Y-Resolution 5342.326923 dpi
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Scene Capture Type Standard
XMPToolkit XMP Core 4.4.0

[windrider86]

Thank you!!

First thing I noticed is the direction she is looking but all the empty space behind her. I'd get rid of some of that.
And yes, it is too dark. The clouds are fine but the entire foreground is too dark. Try playing with the levels on an adjustment layer so you can mask off the sky

[foxor]

Thanks for the feedback. Can you mask adjustments in Aperture? I don't know the program very well yet...

I *do* know photoshop very well, and know that this is fairly easy to do, but I haven't got it installed on my computer at the moment. I will soon... I am planning to purchase the new version

For interest's sake, here's a link to the original:
IMG_3901 - Version 2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

As you can see, in my effort to bring some depth to the clouds, I did darken the foreground a bit.