Two sunsets for critique please

[ash]

Re: Two sunsets for critique please

'however i tend to look at an image and ponder would i hang this on my wall ?.'

In a nuttshell!

[StuartR]

Re: Two sunsets for critique please

OK, I've decided I'll critique more often and I started with one of Stephen's for good measure (another thread).

As far as Peter's two images here are concerned I think the first is the better of the two by far. OK the horizon is central but that's exactly 1.5 thirds so that's OK . (The rule of thirds is not a rule I follow slavishly, often because I just don't think of it when framing the shot , although I accept that it generally "looks" right with landscapes).

I do think the first image is a bit flat though and that an increase in contrast might help. It's also got a lot of potential for tweaking the sea & sky colours - I've taken the liberty of posting an example (quality has dropped a bit due to the re-processing obviously).

The second shot doesn't do too much for me, difficult to pin-point exactly why though. However, the similar shot in the re-shoot images is, IMHO, much better.

Don't think I've added much to what's already been said and that's been one of the reason's I don't critique all that often - I don't like just repeating what's already been posted by others - it can appear that you're not capable of original thought! Although I guess if you hear something more than once it carries more weight (so that's not a very good reason at all then ).

One other observation I'll make about critiquing is that often an image posted at 720 pixels on the long side will look far less impressive than the original when viewed on a large monitor. I'm lucky enough to be using a reasonably good 24" monitor and some images that I think look really impressive full-screen look less than interesting when resized down for forum use.

I should add that I totally understand why the file size limit is in place - I'm in no way knocking DPNow's policies. In fact the limits here are actually more generous than other forums I sometimes frequent.

I'll also commit to putting more of my images up for critique and as I'm sitting at home with a festering toe*, I might do some today.

*(not for the squeamish)

Caught my foot the other day and nearly pulled the nail off, went to the quack and had the nail removed on Thursday and now it's infected despite all proper precautions having been taken . This is made slightly more serious as I'm diabetic. Hopefully the antibiotics will sort it out quickly as I'm on holiday this week and had lots of plans to get out and about with the camera .

Forum veterans might recall that this is not the first time I've lost a nail in this way - I really should follow advice not to walk about bare-foot! Slippers are for old people though aren't they?

[StuartR]

Re: Two sunsets for critique please

whoops, waffling on so much I forgot the image....