Approaches to the Lock

[Stephen]

I'd appreciate peoples thoughts on this shot taken recently. Does it work in your opinion.

[lumix]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

I'd appreciate peoples thoughts on this shot taken recently. Does it work in your opinion.

I'm going to pass on this one for the time being. First impression is that it is to dark but I'm viewing this in daylight. If I switch my monitor to presentation mode it looks a lot better. I'll have another look later this evening when I can get a better view of it.

[Pol]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

I'd appreciate peoples thoughts on this shot taken recently. Does it work in your opinion.

I like the composition but I'm not so sure about the overall darkness. There's some soft and subtle light in the foreground that could maybe be lifted a little more but ...............

It's pleasant enough but I just feel the picture lacks impact and I'm not sure there's much can be done to give it extra significant qualities.

Pol

[Pops]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

The brightness of the sky and the foilage just above centre seems to contradict the darkness of the photograph and I really don't like the extra dark structure on the left. Also I can't find anything to hold my eye, I just keep roaming around the photograph looking for something to look at.
Sorry but I don't like this at all and I suspect that you aren't keen on it either. It just doesn't compare with your usual offerings.

[Stephen]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

I'm going to pass on this one for the time being. First impression is that it is to dark but I'm viewing this in daylight. If I switch my monitor to presentation mode it looks a lot better. I'll have another look later this evening when I can get a better view of it.

Thanks Ron, when I was working on the image last night it looked ok to me too, but agree in daylight it looks a little dark

[pewidane]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

Hi Stephen,this are my attpempt

[Stephen]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

Thanks Peder, I like that, though I think Pol and Pops are perhaps right. It is really not much more than a nice scene on the canal without much impact. I'd like it to have more 'attitude' if you can understand what I mean, and I'm not sure how to inject that into it.

[Guest]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

Sorry Stephen but it does not say much to me either. There is no point of real interest in the picture, the eye is lead right along the canal to the distant factory which looks as though it is about to fall over into the canal.

[pewidane]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

a bit different ?

[Stephen]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

Sorry Stephen but it does not say much to me either. There is no point of real interest in the picture, the eye is lead right along the canal to the distant factory which looks as though it is about to fall over into the canal.

Thanks for your comment Dennis, much appreciated. Actually I'm pleased its inspired you to make one of your rare but honest critiques

[Ian]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

Hi Stephen - this is a very ambitious shot from a technical point of view as it attempts to cover a very wide dynamic range, from the shadowy areas in the foreround to the sky at the back. It almost pulls it off, but the dark areas are a bit too dark.

Did you HDR this at all - or is HDR a potential alternative?

On the composition, the wide angle is dramatic, but as some of the others have said, I'm not sure there is enough to occupy the eye as a central focal point. That said, I'm not sure that's what you were trying to achieve. I often like pictures that I take like this from my personal perspective - but it's just that, a personal view that may not be very interesting to others unless they were there with you at the time.

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

Hi Stephen - this is a very ambitious shot from a technical point of view as it attempts to cover a very wide dynamic range, from the shadowy areas in the foreround to the sky at the back. It almost pulls it off, but the dark areas are a bit too dark.

Did you HDR this at all - or is HDR a potential alternative?

On the composition, the wide angle is dramatic, but as some of the others have said, I'm not sure there is enough to occupy the eye as a central focal point. That said, I'm not sure that's what you were trying to achieve. I often like pictures that I take like this from my personal perspective - but it's just that, a personal view that may not be very interesting to others unless they were there with you at the time.

Ian

I'll accept all those points. Your mention of HDR made me think, so I've run it through Photomatix and tonemapped it in order to beef it up a little. Probably a little OTT now but what do you think

[lumix]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

I'll accept all those points. Your mention of HDR made me think, so I've run it through Photomatix and tonemapped it in order to beef it up a little. Probably a little OTT now but what do you think

I did a highlight + shadow blend and got this.

[Tom]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

Hello Stephen
I think Lumix has done a good job on the approaches that were too dark. But I feel that the metal something on left nearest camera and the seemingly tilting tower at the very back do the composition no favours. Also there is very little evidence of a lock as such.

[Stephen]

Re: Approaches to the Lock

I did a highlight + shadow blend and got this.

Well I have to say I think you have done a bit of a hatchet job on it Ron
If you compare my second attempt just above yours I'm sure you will agree. Its definitely over sharpened and is too contrasty, so I'm afraid its a thumbs down