Northumberland Beach

[Baffled]

This photo was taken on a beach close to Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh Castles. Any critiques gratefully accepted. Thanks in advance. John.

[chris-p]

Hi John

This is a lovely shot with good colour (I like that it's not overdone) and while some might say it's underexposed, I'm relatively infamous (if there is such a thing) for underexposing my shots anyway.
I've only got one criticism which is that it feels like the left hand edge of the photo has been cut off.
I think it would have benefited from the waterline meeting the land on the left side and bringing it to an end.
Otherwise, I really like this. Its like a little minimalist masterpiece.

[AndyStevens]

John, all I would add to Chris' comments would be maybe taking a step or two to the right and then swivelling left slightly - this would potentially make the big rock a more interesting foreground feature and give the waterline/land meeting Chris mentioned.

[pburness]

I agree with Andy & Chris, moving to the right slightly (if possible) and capturing the left side a bit more would have given a natural line for the eye to follow.

Only other comment is the horizon looks a little off level (sloping down to the left edge).

Another option to increase the minimalistic view would be to crop the bottom off just above the first wave, thereby lowering the horizon and forcing the eye into the lovely colours and silhouette.

Phil

[Baffled]

Hi People, Thanks for your words of encouragement and yes Chris you're right. On reflection, the left hand side of the photo does look chopped off. So much to think about. Lol John

[Baffled]

Originally Posted by pburness

I agree with Andy & Chris, moving to the right slightly (if possible) and capturing the left side a bit more would have given a natural line for the eye to follow.

Only other comment is the horizon looks a little off level (sloping down to the left edge).

Another option to increase the minimalistic view would be to crop the bottom off just above the first wave, thereby lowering the horizon and forcing the eye into the lovely colours and silhouette.

Phil

Hey Phil, It was the textures in that first wave and the colour of sky which inspired me to take the shot. I'll try it though however, I only have nx veiw as a retouch programme. Not sure at the moment whether I will be able to do it with that. Thanks again. John.

[pburness]

Originally Posted by Baffled

Hey Phil, It was the textures in that first wave and the colour of sky which inspired me to take the shot. I'll try it though however, I only have nx veiw as a retouch programme. Not sure at the moment whether I will be able to do it with that. Thanks again. John.

Try viewing the photo on screen, but put a piece of paper across the bottom, above the first wave.
You'll notice the horizon immediately is lower down in the cropped version, but the second wave pulls your eye from right to left, the black land then moves your eye left to right, into the subtle orange banding. For me, that works great - but hey, we are all different...

And as it's been said many times, it's what works for you that matters most!

Love the colours.
Phil

[Baffled]

Hi Phil, Yes your right. It does work very well. That is really minimalist. I like it. Thank you all for your input. John.

[Reinardina]

Just want to say I'm learning all the time! I can see how the advice given is very useful, and not only to 'Baffled.'