Sunrise on Roker

[DigiDiva]

Would appreciate critique on this sunrise please. I love the way the tractor is silhoueted and how the rising sun to the right lights up the pier.




Thanks

[karenoliver]

Was this handheld or on a tripod? I'm sure there are two people on the left of the photo? I would probably crop out the tractor and focus on the people looking out at the sunset. It probably needs more exposure as well unless you crop out the beach and just concentrate on the sea and sky. I do like the light on the right and the sky is quite striking, has a green tone. Very impressed you got up so early, I have never photographed a sunrise in my life! :-)

[DigiDiva]

This was hand held. I had been using tripod earlier but thus scene caught my eye on the way back to the car. There are 2 people, they were chating and dog walking. Will mess some more with the cropping. Thanks.

[silversnapper1]

Nice shot Digidiva. I agree with the comments above about the people and the tractor, they are probably not quite well enough defined and the green sky doesn't really look natural although it is effective. Having said that, I have a shot that I took last week that has a clour cast in the sky that I am battling with.

[DigiDiva]

ok, here's my 'tinkered' version..Still having focusing issues but granted this was hand held, so its understandable. Hopefully my remote shutter release and 'posh' tripod will help me out. Comments on the new version would be appreciated.

DD, it may be of value to go back to the uncropped image and after correcting the horizon line, to create a few (3?) layers of the image. You can then tweak the levels in the layers and then blend them to retain the silhouettes in the foreground and the lighter imagery in the distance.

[DigiDiva]

I must admit,the sillhouttes was an attaction, but at the end of the day, photography is down to personal tastes. So long as I think Im improving, that's what counts most. The critique is very helpful and gives me experience in edititng pics and what's a preferred taste. Had the silhouettes been sharper, Im guessing it would have been a preferred choice to leave them. Im realising more and more the importance of a tripod. Roll on xmas day!!!!!!!!!

[karenoliver]

The newer version is much better. You have a defined focal point, the colours are more realistic and no underexposed foreground. When you have a tripod you can just set the aperture you want and use different exposure times to see which one you prefer.

Karen

[DigiDiva]

Is this what is called 'bracketing'?

[pburness]

HI Digidiva,
This is a much better composition for my eye, less distraction, clean and simple.

There is a technique practiced by several people which is quite interesting, take a look at this thread -

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...mposition&qf=m

or this one

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=28879231

both of which have some good points in my opinion, but of course, breaking the rules can also be good

Phil