Cayman Islands C&C

[JClishe]

Just got back from a vacation to Grand Cayman with the family, and ended up with a few decent shots. Let me know what you think.

1.

2.

3.

4.

 

[KevinPutman]

Love the 3rd one.

 

[bazooka]

#1 would be an interesting shot given the right light, but during midday, it's just too harsh given the water there isn't a deep aqua blue like in #3.

#2 again would be more interesting at sunrise or sunset depending light direction. I've found that sometimes images taken during midday make good b&w. Maybe a touch overexposed, and I'd clone out the bouys. Just not a very interesting composition overall for me. Interesting looking tree, but can't seen enough detail.

#3 has a nice color pallette and I like the repeating pattern of the jetskis. A different composition without the objects to the left would be better I think. They don't seem to be related to the subject.

#4... The silhouettes are just too complicated. Simplify so each object is easily discernible from every other object and identifiable. The one chair in the center does stand out, but I'm more interested in the umbrella because it is more directly tied to the typical paradise beach scene. Simplify.

 

[Netskimmer]

I've only been attempting serious photography for about a week now so take my opinions/advise for what they're worth.

I think #1 would be great with a low sun, sunrise or sunset if you could position the sun directly above the dock as though it were a bridge to the sun. Alternatively, I think it would look good as a b&w.

I like how #2 makes the tree look like it's crawling for the water.

I agree with bazooka on #4. The foreground seems to busy for me. I found my eyes drawn to the silhouettes and I started trying focus on that rather than the beautiful sunset. The Umbrella and a few chairs would reinforce the tropical theme and give the shot character but wouldn't give you pause for thought or distract you from the intended focus.

 

[JClishe]

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate all the feedback.

I made an edit of #2 in B&W, and #3 with a different crop, below. I think B&W is definitely better for the tree, but it loses some contrast with the cloud behind it. It's a good subject but I think I got it at the wrong time. Oh well. And #3 looks better with the tighter crop.

 

[clarnibass]

Disclaimer: I'm just a complete beginner hobbyist photographer (though do other types of art as main work/interest).

I really liked #2 & #3.
#1 & #4 just looked normal to me.
I think #2 looks better in colour. At least I prefer it and there isn't that much colour in it anyway. It got both contrast with the cloud but also almsot like the cloud is some of fluff grown by the tree. I like it.
I really like #3 also. I also don't especially like that other thing on the left but I do like that small boat (or whatever it is) behind it further back. I also prefer the bigger space around the jet skis where they are smaller on the side and more space over the clouds, etc.
So considering everything, I prefer the originals in your first post.

 

[Geaux]

They all seem to be missing some contrast and 'PUNCH' to the image which gives them a snapshotish feel. Beautiful area though, definitely want to visit some day.

Edit: your #3 crop is a winner imo, looks great.

 

[bazooka]

You'll probably want to remove the blue channel to darken the sky. I took a whirl at it....
Blue channel ended up being in the negatives and used more green than red. Also, made a higher contrast curve and cloned out the bouys.

 

[bennielou]

I think the last three have plenty of snap. Nicely done.

 

[JClishe]

You'll probably want to remove the blue channel to darken the sky. I took a whirl at it....
Blue channel ended up being in the negatives and used more green than red. Also, made a higher contrast curve and cloned out the bouys.

Thanks, looks great! I need to improve my PP skills to learn how to clone out objects.