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Swedishchop · Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Hi there.

As a Newbie I wasn't surprised that my first batch of picks had 9/10 rejections all for the right reasons. Obvious when pointed out really. The one I was unsure of though was this one which failed due to composition. OK subjective I know but I would welcome thoughts as to why.

Thanks folks...

rlandsem · Joined: 11 Nov 2010 Posts: 68 Location: On the ground

Hi Swedishchop

Please see the first thread on how to post properly, the experts here (not me) need a 100% crop to see if the image contain noise, is in focus etc.

As an answer to the composition, I think you should try to get the horizon at 1 third from the top or bottom, not in the middle.

mattgibson · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 601 Location: London

And level, sloping to the right. Crop so the people are one third way up and one third from right edge amnd color scould be pushed a bit too, lok a bit flat

Swedishchop · Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Hi rlandsem

Thanks for the feed back. I didn't post the crop because I can see it's out a little. It was just the composition remark which threw me. I normally use thirds and in this shot the man crossing the beach for me worked on the thirds rule along with the element of blue sky. I also thought the tide line drew your eye to the centre of the pic.

Thing is that's what I was thinking and I guess I have to get inside the reviwers mind.

Still I'm up for the challenge.

Thanks again.

Swedishchop · Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

hhltdave5 · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:52 am

Also keep in mind one thing with a shot like this. There are two objects in the shot that can be utilized when following the rule of thirds. You have the horizon as well as the person on the beach.

I think the main composition point is the slanting of the horizon. Now the horizon also brings up another issue and that is it is placed almost in the center of the frame. Notice how the new cropped version that Matt did corrects the location of the horizon. If I were cropping it I probably would have put the person just a touch higher (not much, just a touch) in the re-cropped shot.

As far as drawing the eye of the viewer to the center of the pic I am not sure why you want to do that. The center of the shot is the end following point, that perspective convergence point. What you want to do is to first draw the eye to the main object of the shot which is the person then let the eye naturally follow to that point in the distance.

When you do it this way you give the image a natural flow or movement to it instead of just becoming more static in nature.

I think your eye saw a good shot that has excellent potential it was just a matter of putting everything together to make it the best it could possibly be.

Swedishchop · Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Hi All

I'm now sitting here smiling to myself...Great comments and it makes so much sense.

I will crack it, and can't wait to get a few more accepted next month.

You guys rock \m/

semmickphoto · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:13 am

I agree with Dave on putting the person a bit higher in the frame. That was my idea as well.

However, I love the OPs original shot because it shows the entire beach with just one tiny person, it gives a feel of a big space, sense of freedom. Isnt this a case of breaking the rules because it works?

I also wonder how it works with the horizon on the top 3rd of the frame?

Anyway, the photo is quite intriguing to me.

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:16 am

I would say the person is way to small in the image when it is a thumbnail they wont even be seen.

mattgibson · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 601 Location: London

Good job the thumbnail enlarges when you hover mouse over it then, kinda what it was put there for.

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:08 am

You could also move the guy to be more in the third so as not to draw attention away from the beach/wave action, etc.

Swedishchop · Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Really appreciate the comments folks. Ok so for my submission I was considering this but I think the focus is too soft. More like movement when taken actually.

But what about composition again do you think this works better?

Also I'm unsure about P Release here, would this fail without one?

semmickphoto · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:21 am

Composition works for me, a bit under exposed, OOF indeed and you dont need a PR for this. My castles got accepted without them as well, as well as some old historic fort. If its older than 100 years you dont need to worry about PR.

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:32 am

Try to get it with a better sky in the shot right out of the camera.

Here is a little PS sky addition first doing an inverse selection of the land and castle using shadows then curves to add contrast then inserting a new sky.

Swedishchop · Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Ahh useful info on older buildings. I was dissapointed with the camera shake I should have known better. I think I was standing in the road on a blind bend at the time.

As for exposure I lightened it up a tad but was conscious of some of the small white buildings getting blown out. More time in PShop would have addressed that I guess.