Thanksgiving at the beach

[SpiderBob]

I took these while just sitting (waiting for dinner) without a tripod, as I had to move around way too much to make it practical, over rocks. Your opinions would be much appreciated:




and this one

[Donald]

Bob

I'm not sure that the second one can stand up, because although we can work out that there is a person in there, I think the image needs to show more detail of him/her.

Which is what the first one does. I wonder if that one needs all the water to the left (as we look at it) of the surfer? I was trying to envisage a crop on, maybe, a 5:4 ratio. That would result in the surfer filling a greater percentage of the overall frame.

[dpqmw80]

get some turkey on the beach to celebrate thanksgiving.

[SpiderBob]

Thank you David, I did, too much as a matter of fact, anyway, Donald, I tried as you suggested with the second image. I was so disappointed no use in posting. You are right, if it had not been for the first image you would not even know what the second image was (even after cropping in on it). The rider is too much hidden in the white water. One would be left wondering what the subject was (unless he/she was a surfer). I have another good shot I'll post after PP.

Thank you,
Bob

[SpiderBob]

The first one, I wanted to show the intensity of the surfer and the sport. While I could have left so much more of the wave, I don't think that would have helped the frame. Thoughts?



The second, I had lots of wave below him with curl converging toward him and pushing him skyward as you see, but again, to add all that missed the intention, I feel, of the surfer being tossed into the air. Again, thoughts?

[Donald]

The first one, I wanted to show the intensity of the surfer and the sport. While I could have left so much more of the wave, I don't think that would have helped the frame. Thoughts?



The second, I had lots of wave below him with curl converging toward him and pushing him skyward as you see, but again, to add all that missed the intention, I feel, of the surfer being tossed into the air. Again, thoughts?

Totally agree on both counts. We don't need to see more more water in order to fully understand the story and these compositions bring an intensity and dynamism (which is what surfing is all about) to the action.

[speedneeder]

Hi Bob,
As far as composition goes, the third one is great! The fourth one to me looks as though it should be a portrait crop.
As far as the content goes - wow, that looks really awesome!
What lens were you using to shoot these?
Is the water color accurate? It makes me wonder if the white balance is right.
I really like these.

[SpiderBob]

Hi Bob,
As far as composition goes, the third one is great! The fourth one to me looks as though it should be a portrait crop.
As far as the content goes - wow, that looks really awesome!
What lens were you using to shoot these?
Is the water color accurate? It makes me wonder if the white balance is right.
I really like these.

That one was the 100-400 L IS Canon Zoom
Water is pretty accurate as those in Southern California coast range can attest too. It is during an unusually high tide lots of churning of the bottom, hence the muddy brown color and algae green. Not like some of the islands for sure. I changed the balance on a couple and was not happy with the rich blue as we don't have that color here. I shoot in RAW / JPEG so I can set white balance as close to as what I have seen as I can.

Not sure what you are saying about making number 4 a portrait crop, seems that with the surfers back to us it would be odd. I try it though and take a look.

Thanks,
Bob

[speedneeder]

Something like this.

[SpiderBob]

Brian thanks for the input. It looks great. Indeed this cut is much better. Brings one right to the subject and I lost nothing in you doing this. I mean I have the same view I intended with your crop. I really like it.

[speedneeder]

Bob, you are quite welcome! FYI I also made a slight curves adjusment to darken the black.