Rideau Canal Locks

[reijo]

These locks on the canal are all hand operated.
Reijo

[Marko]

I like it but I think we can make it stronger by making some minor changes.
For me the gear or wheel is the focal point. The right side is bright and isn't contributing much to the scene so I'd likely crop it by a good 2 inches. Then I'd burn (darken) in that beige background just a bit. Then I'd dodge (brighten or lighten) and burn different parts of the wheel so it so it pops even more and I'd also sharpen it a wee bit. Yup that's what i'd do, It's all personal though. Hope that helps.
marko

[AcadieLibre]

I love the locks, lived in Merrickville for a while way back when and my yard ended on the Canal and was just few blocks from the locks and always thought they were very photogenic. I agree with marko about the bright side taking away attention from what I also would assume was the main focal point.

I think shots such as those are better shot at dusk, dawn or and overcast day, just even with some dodging or burning some of the area just would not give you the result you want. It is just to far overexposed on the right side. I would play with the brightness, exposure levels and try and tweak it and get that sides brightness down down then try burning and dodging and the likes. Just my

[reijo]

Yes it is a nice town to shoot pictures in.
I will crop off the right side some and use viveza to tone down the side of the lock.
I wanted to include a bit of the lock.
I used the program setting on my D80
Reijo

[reijo]

I cropped the image as much as I dared, darkened the lock walls as much as possible and sharpened the wheel.
I think it looks a little better now.
You are right though, it would have been much better to shoot earlier or later.The light was too harsh
Reijo

[Marko]

I like this version better. The background is toned down and it's clear what the focal point is. I might try sharpening the central part or area of the wheel a bit more, and maybe play with the levels or curves to see if you could get the contrast to pop a bit harder, also feels a bit blue as in cast.
Hope that helps
Marko

[AcadieLibre]

It is better, but I would work on the colour correction of the lever, your colour tones just need some adjusting.