Is this Just Another Pretty Picture?

matthew robertson · Sep 13, 2004

I like this picture of the sunrise from the deck of a cruise ship, but my editor-in-residence, whose opinion I respect, doesn't. I need an honest third-party opinion. Give it to me straight, Doctor, I can take it.

Larger version:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/mrobertson/Sunrise1000.jpg

Thanks.

Maven · Sep 13, 2004

I like this picture. However, I wish it was just a touch brighter so we can make out more of the objects on the deck. I like the reflection off the deck, kind of unusual to see on surfaces as such. The people in the bg give the shot some personality. All in all, brightness kills the image.

canonrebel · Sep 13, 2004

Obviously your intended subject is the sunset, but there are too many other miss-placed elements that contend with the sunset. Even the sunset is miss-placed. The image would work better if the sun had been placed so as to be more in agreement with the rule of thirds rather than in the center of the frame. You could probably enhance the image's composition with Cloning and croping

BrettG · Sep 13, 2004

That one light in the center of the picture is really annoying. Actually, all of them are kinda annoying, but if the one in the center was gone I think it'd help this picture a lot.

matthew robertson · Sep 13, 2004

Brightness increased, contrast decreased, and cropped that annoying half-lamp from the right edge - I can't believe I didn't get roasted for that. Is it too much? My photo place prints darker than my monitor.

Larger:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/mrobertson/SunsetB.jpg

Maven · Sep 13, 2004

Yeah that is a bit better, but I agree with Brett even more now. That light in the middle of the picture is very annoying. Its a focal point when it shouldn't be, and that is what I was trying to say about the two people. They are focal points as well. I think this photo is too busy in general. Sorry man.

thenewhcb · Sep 13, 2004

You might want to invest in a monitor calibrator for color matching. But the picture is much better now.

Maven · Sep 13, 2004

Oh, and just so ya know, us Canadian's should stick together lol.

thenewhcb · Sep 13, 2004

Oh and by the way, the cold tone of the lighting makes the picture very visually beautiful

Maven · Sep 13, 2004

Agreed, the tones and colors are captured well.

matthew robertson · Sep 13, 2004

Thanks very much, I needed that.

On vacation, taking a cruise to Alaska, I got up REALLY early to try to capture the sunrise. Did you notice the clouds in the photo? It didn't work out. This was taken after about 45 minutes in the bitter wind, literally as I was walking through the door to find some hot chocolate. I glanced back, saw the light, and took one frame. (My EiR was still annoyed by the delay.) The original had the horizon off by about 10 degrees, was underexposed, and as you correctly pointed out, badly composed. I suppose it's just a 'moment in time' shot that appeals to me for being there.

The figure in the far right is hosing down the teak deck, hence the reflection. While I wish I had shot from between the lights, minimizing the one in front, I like the effect the different light source provides. If I could just shift the entire frame over by about 1/3....

2Stupid2Duck · Sep 13, 2004

Well here's my take - for what it's worth.

I'd photo shop out the wires at the top of the pic (I think they are party lights) because they don't add anything to the shot. Then I'd darken the deck chairs and stuff until they are only sihlouettes (not selecting the reflection on the floor tho - leave it dark but still visible). The overall effect I am looking for is more like the top shot but with distractions removed.

Just my humble.

Walt · Sep 14, 2004

Alaska Cruise, mmm, I'm jealous! They dock in the area of Vancouver that I work, they tempt me!
I think there's too many elements in this picture. I'm not drawn to a main subjct.

John E. · Sep 14, 2004

I like 2stupid2ducks idea, may want to crop out some of chairs on the right then it would not be to busy but may end up centering the people but the sun would be offset, worth playing around with

terri · Sep 14, 2004

I prefer the original image. If you absolutely HAVE to do anything to it, then go ahead and crop or stamp out the half-light on the right side. But the rest of this image is lovely exactly as it is. The larger version of the image you included on your first post clearly shows this image is perfectly exposed. There is visible detail in your shadows, on the deck chairs and that beautiful wet, gleaming deck. I love the sky reflection in the deck. I love the ghostly blue tones of this picture, it lets you feel that it is, indeed, just early dawn light. The few silhouetted figures add to the scene. I can easily see an image like this accompanying an article about a ship's voyage - the big sky, the lonely feel. Wonderful!

The enlarged version of the lightened image shows a lesser feel of mystery in the image, and the loss of contrast only makes it flat and less interesting. Stick with your original version. I don't think the sunrise is the central point of this picture - even if that's what you had it in mind, it's not what you ended up with, and it works! Even the nearest lightpole is just off-center, so it also works. It looks off the cuff, yet planned. Very nice work!