Big empty sky

[Felisek]

As I sit in a rented holiday cottage overlooking Loch Torridon (Scotland) I watch the ever-changing weather patterns, clouds, rain and light. A few minutes ago I spotted a chance for an interesting photo with an unusual composition. Most of it is just an empty white sky with misty hills at the bottom. I added some grain and decided that a border is necessary to keep the white sky in check.

This is a rather unusual photo for me, so I'd like some feedback. Does this empty white sky work here? Does the grain help?

 

[bechdan]

the grain works, the grayscale works, just tooooo much sky for me

 

[Pretzel]

Composition wise, I can see instances where someone would absolutely love the pic and the idea behind it, but it's not typical. I'd almost like to see a crop with the rule of thirds in play, just to compare.

As for the B&W, grain, etc... it works quite well, and the framing definitely helps!

 

[Felisek]

OK, here is a more traditional crop. I think I prefer my original version...

 

[bechdan]

thats more to my taste, but it does work better as a square image than a rectangle

 

[wud]

I LOVE it. The original. Empty space can give a big impact, for me

 

[Don Kuykendall_RIP]

Not a big fan. But I like bold dramatic skies. This is the nice thing about photography in that you can do what pleases you.

 

[Pretzel]

OK, here is a more traditional crop. I think I prefer my original version...

View attachment 115011

This one appeals to me a bit more than the original, but that's just ME. The original also appeals to me, and again, I could see where it would thrill the right person. That's the thing about art... some may go CRAZY over it, some may not.

 

[RON_RIP]

I. too, opt for the original. This needs to be a large wall mural. Printed small it would lose impact.

 

[Blacktop]

I like the original, but not the grain. That's just me though.

 

[Stoshowicz]

The original image is makes more of a statement than the 'traditional' crop.
Its the more creative-interesting, and, Id say its the thing of interest in the pic.
I cant really see whats on the far shore nor is there particularly noticeable rhythm to the landscape etc.
Presenting the bold version , you've done well with a difficult subject in a way that may have a strong appeal to particular viewers.

 

[Felisek]

The original image is makes more of a statement than the 'traditional' crop.
Its the more creative-interesting, and, Id say its the thing of interest in the pic.
I cant really see whats on the far shore nor is there particularly noticeable rhythm to the landscape etc.
Presenting the bold version , you've done well with a difficult subject in a way that may have a strong appeal to particular viewers.

Thank you, sir! You've put into words what my gut feeling was telling you. The hills on the far shore are indeed not very interesting, so my feeling was that the standard crop would be boring. It just required something special.

For your entertainment, here is a shot of the same area taken on a different day:

 

[Elliot87]

Hey Marek,

I was at Loch Torridon just last weekend on holiday. It's a beautiful area for sure. I was staying in Gairloch and Applecross but visited Loch Torridon for a while and managed to get a distant sighting of an otter. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots from there if you happen to post some.

Elliot

 

[Felisek]

Hey Marek,

I was at Loch Torridon just last weekend on holiday. It's a beautiful area for sure. I was staying in Gairloch and Applecross but visited Loch Torridon for a while and managed to get a distant sighting of an otter. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots from there if you happen to post some.

Elliot

Here you are.

 

[Stoshowicz]

Thank you, sir! You've put into words what my gut feeling was telling you. The hills on the far shore are indeed not very interesting, so my feeling was that the standard crop would be boring. It just required something special.

For your entertainment, here is a shot of the same area taken on a different day:

View attachment 115891

This pic actually fits my personal tastes better , but as I figure you already know, the "subject" of a photo includes the photographers vision for the end product , making this entirely a different 'subject'
If I were to judge other folks photos purely based on my personal tastes , the angles Id pick ,the proportions I want etc, theres no way I could ever give another photog a fair shake on their own vision.. would it be fair to say the photog should have picked a sunnier day?.. Of course not.
This is lovely ,by the way..

 

[jazzjunkie]

I love the original too, but then I'm a massive fan of minimalism, the simplicty and vastness of space, it isn't always necessary to have a lot of things to look at, it can be quite contemplative or meditative to have some space to stare into.