Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby biggerry on Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:51 pm

A few images for critique, as usual, good bad or ugly comments always welcome.

This was a interesting location, one side (southern) the sea was quite calm and water movement was limited, however on the northern side (where i did not go) there was so good swell and wave action.

Plenty of rocks but not much else, i had to look pretty hard to find something inspiring to stick in the foreground, I would love to get right out on the peninsula and have a look, but with limited time I only really saw one little corner of this location.

Sunset was not that spectacular, however in the wings there was some nice colour.

Image

obligatory green stuff shot and probably the best colour looking at the sun for teh evening.

Image

overview of the headland, the little silhouettes (dots) you can see on the edge of teh rocks (centre of frame) are mad keen rock fisherman.

Image


That was a really really black cloud on the left ;)

Image
gerry's photography journey
No amount of processing will fix bad composition - trust me i have tried.
User avatar
biggerry
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5930
Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 12:40 am
Location: Under the flight path, Newtown, Sydney

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby Remorhaz on Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:48 pm

Hi Gerry - I'm a sucker for the first :) love cloud movement atm :)

I think it might have needed either a much higher or lower perspective - it kind of feels in the middle for me. As it is the closer rocks kinda half obscures the distant coastline on the left and I'm left thinking I'd rather see the whole thing with the ocean there (higher POV) or none of it (lower POV). With the lower it would emphasise the cool channels of weed there at the bottom.
D600, D7000, Nikon/Sigma/Tamron Lenses, Nikon Flashes, Sirui/Manfrotto/Benro Sticks
Rodney - My Photo Blog
Want: Fast Wide (14|20|24)
User avatar
Remorhaz
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2547
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Lower North Shore - D600

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby norwest on Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:03 pm

Like the first, it's lighting, colour, depth and the hill as the focal point. i'd clone out the small white building/object at the base of the cliff on the right of frame. The damn thing keeps looking at me.
norwest
Member
 
Posts: 265
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:12 pm
Location: Namoi Valley North West NSW

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby surenj on Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:54 pm

#1 Nice foreground texture and clever composition here. Have you considered a square crop which includes the right side of the image?

#3 superb sun / clouds and color! The foreground is not interesting enough I reckon...not as magical as the background.

#3 The middle ground looks awfully empty on this one. I reckon this sort of picture might be better seen very large. Was that hint of purple present on that day?

#4 I can't see that chair very well but if you can bring it out a touch, then this one is the winner I think. The trees on the right are very very slightly obstrusive but otherwise looks like a magical scene. I like how the attention is eventually drawn to the flat hill in the distance.


I think you are slightly overcooking your D-light at the moment. :wink:
User avatar
surenj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7197
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Artarmon NSW

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby colin_12 on Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:55 pm

I like the sky in the first Gerry.
Regards Colin
Cameras, lenses and a lust for life
User avatar
colin_12
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1853
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:10 pm
Location: Hazelbrook

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby biggerry on Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:34 pm

Remorhaz wrote:Hi Gerry - I'm a sucker for the first :) love cloud movement atm :)

I think it might have needed either a much higher or lower perspective - it kind of feels in the middle for me. As it is the closer rocks kinda half obscures the distant coastline on the left and I'm left thinking I'd rather see the whole thing with the ocean there (higher POV) or none of it (lower POV). With the lower it would emphasise the cool channels of weed there at the bottom.


fair point, I have a number of shots at those possie, i will see if one with a higher or lower POV look better. Cheers.

norwest wrote:Like the first, it's lighting, colour, depth and the hill as the focal point. i'd clone out the small white building/object at the base of the cliff on the right of frame. The damn thing keeps looking at me.


dammit, now i can't stop lookign at it...

surenj wrote:#1 Nice foreground texture and clever composition here. Have you considered a square crop which includes the right side of the image?


hmm, no I had not, standby on that one.

surenj wrote:#2 superb sun / clouds and color! The foreground is not interesting enough I reckon...not as magical as the background.
:


some nice water movement would have been the ticket here - that little wave was the big on in the set too!

surenj wrote:#3 The middle ground looks awfully empty on this one. I reckon this sort of picture might be better seen very large. Was that hint of purple present on that day?


yeah, this one was just a grab shot when walking back, not much thought went into it, I was however looking for a layered effect with the composition. The cast was there on the day, very blue to the left and warmed up to the right and the big black cloud lumped in the middle.

surenj wrote:#4 I can't see that chair very well but if you can bring it out a touch, then this one is the winner I think. The trees on the right are very very slightly obstrusive but otherwise looks like a magical scene. I like how the attention is eventually drawn to the flat hill in the distance.


I really like this one, I like teh fact that you need to strain to determine what the seat is, I was talking to someone there a few moments prior, i really should have gotten them to sit on the seat for me....

surenj wrote:I think you are slightly overcooking your D-light at the moment. :wink:


probably, just a phase I hope, probably also my crappy monitor...

cheeers for teh feedback

colin_12 wrote:I like the sky in the first Gerry.


:up: yeah its nice balance that one i reckon :)
gerry's photography journey
No amount of processing will fix bad composition - trust me i have tried.
User avatar
biggerry
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5930
Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 12:40 am
Location: Under the flight path, Newtown, Sydney

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby biggerry on Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:37 pm

two other variations

Image

Image
gerry's photography journey
No amount of processing will fix bad composition - trust me i have tried.
User avatar
biggerry
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5930
Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 12:40 am
Location: Under the flight path, Newtown, Sydney

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby surenj on Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:57 pm

Variation #1 is the money shot I reckon. Nice compo.
User avatar
surenj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7197
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Artarmon NSW

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby biggerry on Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:25 pm

surenj wrote:Variation #1 is the money shot I reckon. Nice compo.


I wish I had the long exposure on that one though...oh well, next time
gerry's photography journey
No amount of processing will fix bad composition - trust me i have tried.
User avatar
biggerry
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5930
Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 12:40 am
Location: Under the flight path, Newtown, Sydney

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby surenj on Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:35 pm

biggerry wrote:I wish I had the long exposure on that one though...oh well, next time

I am no artist but the serene vernacular of this picture would be endangered by moving clouds by introducing a dynamic twist to a simple tale. :twisted: :mrgreen:
User avatar
surenj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7197
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Artarmon NSW

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby biggerry on Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:44 pm

surenj wrote:
biggerry wrote:I wish I had the long exposure on that one though...oh well, next time

I am no artist but the serene vernacular of this picture would be endangered by moving clouds by introducing a dynamic twist to a simple tale. :twisted: :mrgreen:


yeah i know it's difficult to enter into this work because of how teh metaphorical resonance of the Egyptian motifs makes resonant teh larger carcass.

:twisted:
gerry's photography journey
No amount of processing will fix bad composition - trust me i have tried.
User avatar
biggerry
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5930
Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 12:40 am
Location: Under the flight path, Newtown, Sydney

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby Steffen on Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:42 am

Number 1 in particular has a very strong composition. Very good use of ultra-wide. I'd love to see it with less surreal colours though.

In number 2 I reckon the sky detracts rather than adds to the image. I feel it looks like a special effect.

Cheers
Steffen.
lust for comfort suffocates the soul
User avatar
Steffen
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1931
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:52 pm
Location: Toongabbie, NSW

Re: Gerroa Sunset and some crazy clouds!

Postby biggerry on Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:29 pm

Steffen wrote:Number 1 in particular has a very strong composition. Very good use of ultra-wide. I'd love to see it with less surreal colours though.

In number 2 I reckon the sky detracts rather than adds to the image. I feel it looks like a special effect.

Cheers
Steffen.


cheers for your thoughts Steffen, less surreal colours is a easy fix, hows this?


Image

With regard to the second, is it the big black cloud that detracts? I feel there are competing elements, maybe just isolating one may have worked better..
gerry's photography journey
No amount of processing will fix bad composition - trust me i have tried.
User avatar
biggerry
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5930
Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 12:40 am
Location: Under the flight path, Newtown, Sydney


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques