Boneyard Beach photos

Clovishound

Senior Member
Just a bit about myself. I was an avid amateur photographer back in the film days. Did a lot of B&W. Eventually lost interest, thinking my images were not up to snuff given the amount of time and effort input into them. Recently my daughter became interested and I ended up getting her a new Nikon kit, and took her old one. We took a digital photography class together, and I'm getting a little of the bug again.

Here are a few pictures I took yesterday at a local beach. Yes, we had to get up at 4:00 AM and drive an hour to get there before the sun came up. Beautiful sunrise, worth the trip alone. Got a few that I think are decent. Open for criticism. I have thick skin, and want to improve.

First image, I'm a little concerned about the tree trunk. I left a little detail in it, rather than a full on silhouette. I could pull a little more detail out, but wanted a feel of the early sunrise lighting.

Second image has me thinking I may have gone too far with the density of the colors. I know that is a personal choice, and some like a lot of punch and some prefer a more subdued look.
 

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nikonpup

Senior Member
​IMO the first 2 are OK. Not a fan of the B&W photo, sky a bit much. Keep posting, this site has members of all skill levels. Do not be afraid to post, most of us do not bite. :)
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard, enjoy the ride. We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

You might also want to consider introducing yourself on New Member Introductions.
 

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
I like the first, but would have cropped it differently to bring the trunk down to the lower third. The second is just too much cartoon color. The last is my favorite. This is how I would have PP'd it for max drama with the lightening-like branches and the clouds like ghost foliage. I'm peculiar that way.

Keep shooting. Keep posting. I promise to shut up.

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Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
First welcome to the site. Second great subject and time of day for your pictures.

I too would have like to see less foreground on #1 as the sky is more interesting. Try shooting your scenes framed different ways, remember your film is now free. As for #2 try just desaturating the blue and see if it is more to your liking. The B&W I would just bring down the highlights and clone out the other branch(?) that runs horizontal at the top left of center of the frame.
 
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Clovishound

Senior Member
Thanks for all the comments. I was afraid the second one was too punchy. I was planning on working on it to tone things down. See of you like this better._DAB0254-3.jpg
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
All three are nice. I like your second edit of the second picture, it looks more natural, which is usually my preference. A small nit pick for me is that I'd rather the limb at the top of that shot not be cut off. The B&W is just a bit overexposed in my opinion.
 

Clovishound

Senior Member
All three are nice. I like your second edit of the second picture, it looks more natural, which is usually my preference. A small nit pick for me is that I'd rather the limb at the top of that shot not be cut off. The B&W is just a bit overexposed in my opinion.

I wish I'd had a wider angle lens. There were times I wanted to back up and get a little more in the frame, but was blocked by other trees and such. As to the B&W, I'm not entirely happy with the tonality of it, but have played around with it in Lightroom, and haven't been able to get it to something I am completely happy with. I think perhaps I should start from scratch with it as a B&W, or turn it over to my daughter. Her editing skills are far superior to mine.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I wish I'd had a wider angle lens. There were times I wanted to back up and get a little more in the frame, but was blocked by other trees and such. As to the B&W, I'm not entirely happy with the tonality of it, but have played around with it in Lightroom, and haven't been able to get it to something I am completely happy with. I think perhaps I should start from scratch with it as a B&W, or turn it over to my daughter. Her editing skills are far superior to mine.

Instead of turning it over to your daughter, I would ask for her advice and do it yourself. Post processing is a never ending learning experience, and the only way I have ever improved is through practice. I totally understand about not being able to compose things the way people suggest because it was simply impossible on location. Part of the difficulty with critiques is that the viewer has no idea what the situation was when and where the photo was take.

I hope you keep posting, and that you enjoy your return to photography. This is a small but very friendly forum full of helpful and supportive people. Welcome!
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
You can take several shots and stitch them together in post if you need a wider image. The reprocessed image is nice.
My Dad was a photographer. I miss discussing photography with him.
 
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