The View Awaits

**NorthStone** · 03-05-2011, 06:16 PM

Your comments please

NorthStone

**Mad Aussie** · 03-05-2011, 08:13 PM

Are we seeing the whole photo here? The copyright text looks cut off so I wonder if there was more photo than what I'm seeing. Maybe it's this iPad I'm using while away from home.

For me, I need the seat to be sharp. By placing it right in the front and large like this it becomes the main subject with the vista behind the backdrop.

Right in the bottom left of the shot is something fuzzy that detracts from the photo in general. Not sure if it could have been moved but I'd have cropped in or something to eliminate it even if I had to clone it out.

In terms of b&w, I think this needs more contrast. It appears to be more about greys than it is about blacks and whites.

Composition wise I like very much aside from the distraction I mentioned above. The path comes in from the lower right and leads our eye along and into the photo and along the lake, a good use of leading lines.

The water horizon on the far side of the lake needs to be leveled. Still Water always sits level and our eyes, after a lifetime of observation, notices unlevel water very easily. Less than 1 degree sometimes. Very important to level the photo if any element is plumb or level.

Looks like the photo was taken with the sun very high in the sky but you've gotten away without unsightly shadows I think. Good job there.

That's about all I can think of right now

**NorthStone** · 03-07-2011, 11:16 AM

Dear MA,

Thanks for the criticism. That's really in depth and just what I was looking for. Each point you've stressed is sound and I can see where your coming from. It's really useful and I'll try and bear your comments in mind for my future photoshoots.

It was my first attempt at a black and white creative shot but I felt the image looked better as the colors looked a bit washed out

The copyright text was fine, must have been your iPad.

I'll have a go at sharpening the image in PS. I'm a bit concerned about bringing noise into it as I can't edit RAW or rather Sony's ARW files (what's the difference?) in PS and I have to edit the JPEGs.

Didn't notice the fuzzy thing in the corner but thanks for pointing it out.

Same issue with contrast. I can bump it up but if I overdo it the noise will become apparent.

I thought the composition was nice as I wanted to experiment with the lead lines as you mentioned.

That's a very good point re the water lines. I must pay attention to the spirit level on my manfrotto and the digital level as I've noticed this fault on the other pics I took that day. Some of then aren't so noticeable at first but when they're enlarged I notice the slight inclines straight away.

Yes the sun was in a good position.

Thanks again for the critique

NorthSone

**Marko** · 03-07-2011, 11:35 AM

+1 on MA's excellent critique. I agree.
The only thing i wanted to add is that selective colouring might be some fun play to try with this image.

**NorthStone** · 03-07-2011, 11:53 AM

Do you mean a very hint of colour. I've seen a technique but can't remember what it's called where there pictures are almost black and white but a hint of colour adds a bit of striking definition.

**Marko** · 03-07-2011, 12:02 PM

The level of colour is up to you, personally I like my hand-colouring very subtle but i have seen many excellent photos where the hand-colouring was not subtle.

If this were mine, my first instinct might be to colour everything except the bench....but there is SURELY no right answer here - it's all very personal.

**Mad Aussie** · 03-07-2011, 03:58 PM

Glad I could help.

Originally Posted by Mad Aussie

Are we seeing the whole photo here? The copyright text looks cut off so I wonder if there was more photo than what I'm seeing. Maybe it's this iPad I'm using while away from home.

Think it was the ipad. Now I'm home again I can see more. I could see nothing beyond the right of the S in NorthShore. I probably just had to finger scroll and didn't think of it. I don't use an ipad very often.