Opinion and critique; Kitsch or Keeper? Dog on beach at sunset

[tbob]

Pure serendipity (well, a little planning). I was sitting on a breakwater on the beach in New Plymouth, New Zealand when i saw this dog started running along the beach. The sunset on Mount Taranaki wasn't working out so I swung around to get a shot of the sea, sunset and dog. One shot and I didn't have time to reset the camera settings.

It means a lot to me as it captures the freedom and peace I felt. Any merit beyond that?

The blurred dog is an aspect I alternately love and hate. Any opinions on that component?

Any other thoughts are welcome.

Not cropped (for people to do their own thing)



my crop

[Geoff F]

I think I would clone out the dog. If only to make a comparison.

Without the dog, I would probably crop a fraction closer at the bottom and right side. Which would also 'move' the large rock slightly towards the right and less central. Only a little though.

[jeeperman]

I would straighten it and call it done. I actually like the movement in the dog, I also like all of the different bands of color and texture and thus would not remove the sand at the bottom.
If I were to crop, it would be from the top down to just above the top edge of the main clouds.

[RogerCook]

I like the image with the dog I played with it a bit also.

[Mike Buckley]

The dog makes the photo and the motion makes it even better. Very well done!

There are so many stories that can be told simply by cropping the image different ways. You could crop the top just barely above the top of the mountain and you could crop it just above the second break in the waves.

If you keep the mountain, eliminate the broad halo around it.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Something like that,for me,of course.

Thanks Radu

[Aforns]

Like the re post Roger did !! The closer look takes me right into the scene !! .. do like the inclusion of the dog (makes image) and a definite keeper !!!

[tbob]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I appreciate the different crops as they provide grist for the mill when it comes to doing future treatments.

I didn't see the horizon was off, definitely needs to be dealt with. As does that weird line at the base of the rocks.


Thanks again