slains castle aberdeenshire(inspiration for bramstokers dracula) for c&c

[hayleyfraser24]

 

[iolair]

I see four photos unnumbered ... so here we go ...

1) Not a great initial reaction. Composition does nothing for me ... I feel like the castle needs a bit more space around it in that one. The colours are really oversaturated. There's some weird lighter areas of sky round the castle on the right, which looks like you weren't very careful in post.

2) Good angle. Really like it, the way the lines draw my eye upward. Would have been more comfortable with a little space above the tower. Mucky sensor?

3) I like. Good placement of the castle in the frame as a strong focal point. I like the detail, lines and contrast in the rock. The seagulls are actually a little distracting - though maybe they work better in the full-size print, on the size you posted here they looked like dirt on the image to start with. I'd have been tempted to clone them out.

4) OK. Why three pale corners and one dark one? It's a nice picture of the castle, has some atmosphere but is not a strong image for me in the way #2 and #3 are.

 

[hayleyfraser24]

thanks, you have actually pointed out some things that I had not even noticed! This will help me out with observing my pictures a bit better and looking for the smaller details!

 

[Ryan L]

1. Oversaturated, Its tilted a bit to the left. Love how its still intact, you wont se that in the States. That would have been torn down long ago. Would love to hear the history of it.

2-4 TOOOO much vignetting. Both light and dark vignettes

 

[Ryan L]

^^ Scratch all that! You shot from the ugly side my friend, go to the water! The otherside is breathtaking, walk further to the right and back up!

New Slains Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[hayleyfraser24]

Thanks for that link! I might have to go back and try again to get a panoramic view including the water and cliffs in the picture!

 

[Ryan L]

How far do you live from there? That would be really cool to be able to see something like that.

 

[hayleyfraser24]

im only 12 miles away, I love this castle and want to take photos of it that do it justice!... ill hopefully have some new shots up soon for you to critique!


you should come to Scotland! we have lots of castles

 

[Ryan L]

I would love to, my grandfather has been there and loved it. I will someday..once I pay for my kids college! lol

 

[hayleyfraser24]

yea I know what you mean... id travel all over the world if I could! is Shelbyville, MI, Michigan? I have been to Michigan many times... I have family there

 

[coldmm803]

I agree with iolair. In #3, I think the big white cloud is a little overexposed.

 

[Ryan L]

yea I know what you mean... id travel all over the world if I could! is Shelbyville, MI, Michigan? I have been to Michigan many times... I have family there

Yes it is Michigan, not much in Shelbyville though lol, except for a large recreation lake and lots of hunting land.

 

[gsgary]

1. Oversaturated, Its tilted a bit to the left. Love how its still intact, you wont se that in the States. That would have been torn down long ago. Would love to hear the history of it.

2-4 TOOOO much vignetting. Both light and dark vignettes

There are hundreds and hundreds of places like this in the UK

AsRyan stated get round on the rocks and it will be much better

 

[Miladymimi]

A lot of us, here in the states, are facinated by castles, simply because we don't have any. Not of that age anyway. We visited Scotland a few years ago and truthfully, it seemed there was a castle ruin every few miles. We rented a car and drove, interesting experience, but the only way to really see the beauty of this place. I hope one day to get to return, I didn't have nearly enough time to see all I wanted to see.

I think 4 in my favorite, but I agree the cloud is a little over exposed. I can't wait to see the other side of the castle. Good luck.