The Rock

[Mad Aussie]

My turn for some critique please

I'm undecided whether this shot is of any real value or not. It's obviously under-exposed (done purposefully as part of an HDR merge set) but I kind of like it anyhow. I could go and blend in a brighter sky from one of the other shots in the set but thought maybe this was ok as is.

Thoughts?

[AntZ]

I like the composition, the Silhouette and that sky is fantastic, but for me it lacks a focal point. Maybe if there was some one sitting on the rock or fishing? My eye is drawn to the transition of sky and rock, especially the top because of the bright spot and the leading lines of the clouds. Can't wait to see the HDR.

[Mad Aussie]

I thought the focal point was obvious (the top of the rock where the sun is hiding behind) but then I guess it would be seeing as I took it.

My attempt at the HDR wasn't that great to be honest.

It was this one from my 'Fly with Me across Australia' thread

[AntZ]

I thought the focal point was obvious (the top of the rock where the sun is hiding behind) but then I guess it would be seeing as I took it.

Maybe it was too obvious, because that was where my eyes were drawn, but I guess I was after something else. I searched the darkness in case there was something hidden there.

The HDR works for me. I love the detail in the rock. Perfect use of HDR.

Anyway MA, you got so many great pics on your trip, I thought you'd be looking for some to delete.

[Marko]

wow what a difference - like night and day

Ist shot is just too dark for me, on my monitor I see almost no detail in the blacks due to the underexposure... I do like the composition though and the sky looks great.

The HDR is decent imo though the green foliage lacks a bit of punch for me. Hope that helps - Marko

[midgett]

I like the first shot a lot. I have discovered by reviewing my own library that I am very inclined towards dark images for some reason. I may try dodging the sky slightly? But Id leave the rocks as is. I love these dramatic silhouette photos. The HDR version rocks also.

[kat]

First one is alright in my eyes. I would of like to have seen the sky a bit brighter around the edges. You know I like my HDR and this is a good one but as marko stated the green is a bit flat.

Do you have lightroom? I hope you don't mind but kids are still asleep and I have no photos to work on..so I did some color conversions *no other pp*. Thought that maybe if it was a more uniform color that textures would play more. Don't know if I'm right but I'm liking it

IMO I'd say it's not a throw out photo just a bit more play with it photo.

Wow..what a difference attaching makes on even a low res photo. If you try it MA gotta show us so I can see it in all it's beauty.

[Mad Aussie]

Hmmm ok ... thanks all. Maybe the photo is worth playing with some more then. Maybe this afternoon I'll have some time to explore it further.
Of course I don't mind you playing with the image Kat Yes I have lightroom but seem to use a combination of both it and PS for my PP.

[JAS_Photo]

I am thinking that something along the lines of what Kat has done is the best option for this photo. I like the sky, the composition and the texture here, so just a matter of getting it to pop. Something Ansel Adamsy in contrast perhaps?

[Mad Aussie]

Here's my manual HDR attempt. This has been a difficult image to play with due to the extreme dynamic range in the shots I got. I should taken another 3 at stops in between what I had.



And this is my Ansell Adams attempt ..



I think I like the B&W the best somehow