Setting Sun

[JayLefler]

Lately I've just been working on composition. After this picture I'm going off of automatic and 'digging in' to manual picture taking.

I'd like to hear feedback on the picture regarding composition and general opinions of the photo.

Thanks!
-J

Camera Maker: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model: NIKON D7000
Image Date: 2010-02-11 02:52:08 (no TZ)
Focal Length: 70.0mm (35mm equivalent: 105mm)
Aperture: f/5.3
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
ISO equiv: 100
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes (Auto, return light detected)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Software: Ver.1.03

 

[ohkphoto]

Here's what I find the most appealing about your photo: the color of the sky and the glow that it casts on the the water. In my opinion, those are what need to be accentuated in post processing. Everything else is a distraction . . . the buoy and the poles, and the bird which has a lot of motion blur. If you're handholding at 1/60, it's going to be tough to get a sharp photo, especially with any kind of movement.

In terms of composition, although rules are "made to be broken", in this case, it would have been better to follow the rule of thirds. . . your horizon is close to bisecting the photo. Also, it's not clear what you wanted the center of interest to be . . . sunset, bird, buoy, water?

My suggestion for next time is to up the ISO, increase your depth of field by closing down the f-stop and shoot at a faster shutter speed. You'll get a sharper image. The only time an iso of 100 is important is if you'r doing HDR, which is another option for this kind of scene.

I think you'll be much happier taking everything off auto and taking charge of the settings yourself.

I would rate this an 8 out of 12 (deduct a point each for impact, creativity/composition, technique, and center of interest)

Keep up your excellent efforts . . . you're so lucky to be by an ocean to photograph . . . sigh

 

[crycocyon]

I'll echo that the colors are good. I like the placement of the horizon. What I would hope for is more light from the sun reflecting off the water. If you waited a bit longer as the sun comes out from behind the clouds, there should be a lot more light coming off the water. There are basically six elements in the image and the two posts are actually well positioned because they form a type of lower frame for the image. Their distance from the horizon is also acceptable. The buoy is also reasonably placed and lower on the image. The sun itself is at 2/3rds position which is good. The only problem I have is with the flying bird. I realize it is difficult to capture a bird a particular way, but it would have been nice to see it other than straight on so that we get more of the shape of the wings. Also it is a bit blurred probably because of the lower light and slower shutter speed. If you are shooting near infinity you could shoot wide open. Exposure is good. I'd say even placement of the bird near the sun and the fact it is flying toward the left, toward the sun, is also good. But I just think overall for this image and the elements to have more impact, you just need a longer lens. It is almost conveying an impression of you just being too far away from the "moment".

I think the longer lens would also take out everything else and just leave the bird and the sun over the water. That is the main theme here and I agree that everything else is extraneous and the poles themselves break up the attention in the image a bit. Since they are lower down it isn't too bad. Overall I would give this a 6/10.

 

[crycocyon]

Just an added note. The horizon is in the lower 2/3rd of the image and since the bird and sun are so small, it actually I think works ok. If the horizon were lower, the bird and sun would also be low in the image and presently they are in the upper 2/3rd of the image where they should be. If they were higher from the horizon, then the horizon could be placed lower in frame.

 

[Rick M]

In keeping with the 12 elements,

1. I like the overall impact of the image; Sun, bird, water in a non-technical sense. It is colorful and pleasant to look at.
2. In a creative sense I would say average, one of those right time/place shots we all want to capture.
3. In a technical sense, it would have benefited from higher ISO and shutter speed as mentioned -1.
4. As far as composition, as others have said, the horizon is a bit high -1.
5. Lighting is ok, but may have benefited from more light cast on the water.
6. Style isn't really in play here in my opinion, with the exception of post processing.
7. Presentation not really applicable.
8. The center of interest is there, but not controlled well. I think the 2 posts are a distraction -1.
9.Love the subject matter, good timing!
10. Color balance is excellent.
11. Technique with this capture blends in with the technical approach in my opinion. The low ISO and resulting shutter speed doomed the shot before it was captured, hence the blurry bird. Better technical control will lead to a sounder approach to future shots. We eventually learn how to approach a certain set of constraints this way. -1.
12. The image does tell us a story, nice job!

I like the image, one of those right place/time captures and very colorful. The most important knowledge to gain here in my opinion is your approach in a technical sense, 8/12.