A lurkers first post...

[btdpi007]

I've seen a lot of great photos posted on this site and a lot of great feedback. I thought I'd try my hand. Please be kind


Storm Forming by BTD007, on Flickr

 

[johnh2005]

Hello and welcome!

First, I like the idea behind the photo. However, it has too much of nothing and not enough something. By that I mean there is no real focal point to the photo. I have a good idea for a crop of the image but you have your photos as not ok to edit.

The grass in the foreground does nothing for the image. The exposure seems a bit underexposed to me. The colors could use a little more pop. Maybe some more contrast in the sky. Let me know if you want a quick and dirty crop of it to give you a little more idea of what I see in the image.

 

[rmagers]

I agree with John. The grass needs to cropped down. Also, the horizon splits the image. A good crop could move this creating a better composition.

 

[jake337]

I agree with whats been said. A crop just above the brown patch of grass would be nice

 

[KmH]

Congrats on foregoing your lurkerhood.

I like the editing, though I think it could use a bit of dodge and burn. No one can show you other editing approaches, because in your profile you don't allow edits.

I'm surprised that during your lurking you didn't hear about the rule-of-thirds, and how a centered horizon can rob an image of a lot of it's dynamism.

 

[Compaq]

I'm not sure how long it takes for the average lurker to evolve from lurkhood into memberhood, but I agree with what's been said. I see in my head how I'd approach an edit that I think would send the message a bit clearer. As it stands now, it's hard to tell whether it's the sky or the grass that's the real subject, as you've centered the horizon.

 

[btdpi007]

I appreciate the critiques. I was curious to what others would think. I, actually, agree with what is being said. I would offer that about 10 minutes, after I shot this pic, a tornado ran through this property and did some pretty remarkable, albeit small scale damage. This was a spur of the moment set-up. I agree that a crop would help the photo out. Thanks again, folks. The critiques weren't all the "horrible", perhaps I'll post some of my other work in the future. Thanks. all.

 

[Compaq]

Unless you got the hint... perhaps you should consider allowing other people to edit your shots
I'm glad you feel helped

 

[btdpi007]

I'm guessing proper etiquette is to allow others to edit your photos. Fair enough. I feel the exposure properly captured the 'feeling' and 'atmosphere' of the storm. I'm fine that others disagree, and respect that. I, definitely, agree with the suggestions regarding the crop. I've adjusted and I'm certain others may feel the crop still "isn't just right" but I like. Thanks for the input.


Storm Forming -The Edit by BTD007, on Flickr

 

[johnh2005]

 

[fokker]

If you were ever in a position to retake the shot, you could try getting closer to the pier and shooting from a low angle to try and sillhouette the shape of the pier against the sky a bit which would add a little extra something to the photo.

As it stands, I like this crop a lot better than the original.

 

[Compaq]

still landscape. lightened the grass with curves, dodged the sky a little.