Bay of Islands

[RoyVarley]

The sky was dark, covered in clouds. The wind blowing a gale. Squally rain. The ocean swell about 6m. Then I saw this patch of lighter cloud headed in my direction - likely to pass in front of the late afternoon sun. So I waited... Then there was this eerie light which made the islands glow. Hope I've captured it well. How's the composition? Of course, there were more spectacular waves crashing in the bay when it was dark and gloomy...

 

[nicolas claris]

Hi Roy
great light, great shot!
Why crop? what was 'bothering' you?

 

[RoyVarley]

Hi Nicolas,

down in the bottom left was a rocky outcrop which annoyed me - spoiled the strong diagonal of the ocean. I liked the balance of large masses made by the islands - the prominent one on the right balanced by a line of receding ones on the left. Then I had this mass of plain grey at the top - so felt I needed to cut down on this. Also the strong horizontal lines in the rocks seemed to call for a stronger horizontal composition.

BUT - my compositional skills are in dire need educating - so feel free to critique what I just said. I'm still not sure about the grey at the top - can't lose it altogether and I'm not sure it would add to the composition if I put it back.

 

[nicolas claris]

BUT - my compositional skills are in dire need educating - so feel free to critique what I just said. I'm still not sure about the grey at the top - can't lose it altogether and I'm not sure it would add to the composition if I put it back.

Hi again

My question about the crop was because you asked about your composition… it would -maybe- help for comments/critiques to show the full frame and then what you did with it.

The best composition is the one that suits you!

I do like that 'grey' line over the rocks, it is typically a storm/gale sky. I may like a slight more but not much. For me it doesn't look grey but dark blue/violet sky… which contrasts very well with the hoizontal line of rocks and their color as well…

 

[RoyVarley]

Ok. Here's the original, uncropped:

And a second crop which shows the most sky:

And having looked at all three together, I think I'm preferring the second crop... how 'bout that...

Thinking about it now, it might have been better for me to have lifted the camera angle to eliminate the rock on the bottom left and held on to some more sky...

Anyhow - all opinions gratefully received.

 

[nicolas claris]

I agree with your last crop, much better IMO…

Note that the rock in the lower left corner could easily be cloned out…

Now, what do you think of that crop ? (just for the pleasure of playing with your good pic)

 

[RoyVarley]

Ahhh... good idea. I like that. I was reading somewhere that vertical compositions are more "dramatic and inspiring" whereas horizontal formats are more "calming and restful". A little too much of a generalisation, perhaps, or maybe the author was having a Freudian moment.

I'll have to say, though, that your vertical composition has me yearning to see more of the rocks. Perhaps that highlights a difference between us. You, a "water man", see the ocean framed by the rocks. I see the rocks cut through by the ocean. Both are valid points of view. I have some similar shots taken at the same time so I might experiment with vertical compositions.

Thank you for your time and your comments, Nicolas. And thank you for questioning my motives. As someone else on the forum pointed out, you can often learn more from the questions than you can from the answers!

 

[nicolas claris]

Bonjour Roy

I'll have to say, though, that your vertical composition has me yearning to see more of the rocks. Perhaps that highlights a difference between us. You, a "water man", see the ocean framed by the rocks. I see the rocks cut through by the ocean. Both are valid points of view. I have some similar shots taken at the same time so I might experiment with vertical compositions.

Then why not try a more square composition?

Thank you for your time and your comments, Nicolas. And thank you for questioning my motives. As someone else on the forum pointed out, you can often learn more from the questions than you can from the answers!

Every one learns when exchanging ideas…

Hug to the downunders!