A critique required

[ianpinion]

Hi,

I've just posted the following images I took on an image making course I've just returned from and I'd like to hear your comments on them.

These first two images are trying to capture the tranquility of Derwent Water.





This next image asks, do wind turbines add or detract from the landscape?



Finally, does this shot capture the movement in the water in contrast to the rock?


Please be as candid as you can.

Thank you.

[donoreo]

In the first one the scrub and weeds are distracting. I would have taken the photo a bit lower to the ground or moved in to avoid it. The stones are great in the walkway.

[matt wilson]

re the first I agree re the crop the lower third is too busy and distracting and is not really needed .

The last one I find the twig distacting and would have tried to avoid it somehow though the softness of the water and the peaty colour against the rock works.

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by ianpinion

These first two images are trying to capture the tranquility of Derwent Water.

I agree with the others about the scrub in the second one. I really like the first one though, it's bold and I like the silhouette a lot.

Originally Posted by ianpinion

This next image asks, do wind turbines add or detract from the landscape?

Without doubt they add to it. It's not a very interesting landscape shot without the turbines. I don't think you would have shot that particular landscape and done a mono conversion on it if the turbines weren't there.
It's about contrast and the turbines really work in that respect. Nature doesn't do straight lines and the sharp turbines really stand out against the soft landscape. I like this shot and the mono works really well too.

Originally Posted by ianpinion

These Finally, does this shot capture the movement in the water in contrast to the rock?

Yes, apart from the rocks in the bottom right. They obey the rules of composition and they work as a foreground interest but I think you only get the juxtaposition of the movement of the water and the "stillness" (can't think of a better word right now ) of the rocks where the water is actually flowing over them.

[jinky]

A few comments as you asked:
1. I agree with the others and would have cropped bottom off- ideally I would have started bottom picture where it changes texture tro flags and taken out the first two posts. I would also have wanted to capture more of the water and opposite bank if the aim was to show the stillness of the water. As it is composed the emphasis is on the figure and certainly would be more so with suggested crop.

2 Does not do much for me - hard when you get these grey skies as they just white out - hdr approach might have got soemthing but altogether not enough subject interest for me. Slight horizon level adjustment needed - or maybe it`s just me

3. yes the turbines are needed in what is a relatively flat landscape - I`d have aimed to make them even more of a feature by losing the grass in front and ideally - if moving - slow down shutter speed to get some movement in them and get in closer.

4. Nice water movement but I`d have liked to have seen the full spread of water - disappears off picture to left or alternatively closer focus in on right side and lose that area as it is such strong colour in comparison. hard to know how the land lies without being there though and the textures and water movement is nice.

[ianpinion]

Thank you for your comments guys. Much appreciated, but I must respond to a few of your suggestions as I wasn't able to do as you advise because of what else I had to hide out of shot.

Originally Posted by donoreo

In the first one the scrub and weeds are distracting. I would have taken the photo a bit lower to the ground or moved in to avoid it. The stones are great in the walkway.

I tried it with the tripod set lower and it didn't work as you could see the bank of an island in middle of the lake that cut across level with my waist and spoilt the silhouetting against the water. Again moving the tripod forward to avoid the scrub and pebbles meant you could not get the angle for my silhouette against the water as my tripod wouldn't extend high enough to achieve this without the far bank showing too.

The best I could do was to do some tidying up, to remove the worst of the distracting clutter from the foreground and some of the grass and twigs that were interfering with the jetty posts.

The other thing I should let on, is I didn't take this shot. I left that bit to the professional photographer who helped me set it up and directed me on how I should pose for it.

Jinky, believe me when I say the second shot of Derwent Water looks better in monochrome than colour. As I said, the brief was to show how tranquil it was there and I believe that is what I have captured in this image. You have to admit it does look very peaceful, doesn't it. Also, if you would like to see a shot of the whole run of the falls I do have one which I may soon add to my gallery.

Finally, I chose these four shots to illustrate my newly acquired editing skills. Do any of you have any comments about how these images have been edited?

Oh and this is for Chris, these shots were taken with my new 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens. I have to say I'm impressed, on the whole, with how it performed.

Hi Ian,

When I scroll the screen hiding foreground in image 1, to the point where the gravel and plants disappear / creating a more panoramic form, the sense of tranguility appears more powerful.

[ianpinion]

I hear what you're saying, Andy, but the RAW image isn't captured in 16:9 format and the professional photographer who ran the course doesn't agree with cropping your image. His viewpoint is, you shouldn't crop you should move your camera closer. With this image though you wouldn't have been able to get the required angle to capture me silhouetted against the water without a tilt and shift lens and they aren't availalbe for my camera.

Originally Posted by ianpinion

I hear what you're saying, Andy, but the RAW image isn't captured in 16:9 format and the professional photographer who ran the course doesn't agree with cropping your image. His viewpoint is, you shouldn't crop you should move your camera closer. With this image though you wouldn't have been able to get the required angle to capture me silhouetted against the water without a tilt and shift lens and they aren't availalbe for my camera.

Well I guess in essence I don't ever shoot with a cropped image in mind, but I'm all for producing pictures in various format ratios to suit the composition and market; And sometimes a cropped image wins the day.

For me, the important thing is to make best use of what you have.

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by ianpinion

Oh and this is for Chris, these shots were taken with my new 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens. I have to say I'm impressed, on the whole, with how it performed.

Jealous now!