C+C on this B+W Seascape please

[ClaudioG]

Hi al, i've been away a bit and in fact this was also a quick image i played with and wanted to put up and get opinions and help from anyone

I havent really done alot of black and white, but i found using lelels in different layers and then dodging and burning gave me the contrast and moodier look i was looking for.
But i could do with alot more advice

Thank you in advance!!

[Mike Buckley]

You definitely created a moody look. Personally, I would prefer that the sky be not so contrasty, as the bright areas distract from the rock formations, which are the subjects.

[kdoc856]

I ditto Mike's suggestion. Also, a mild vignette in the lower corners might shape and focus the viewers' gaze a little. Nice image, congrats.

[Polar01]

Nice image Claudio, here is my opinion if I look at the area from the horizon up to the top of the image the top 1/3 of that area is too dark, those clouds. Here is why because the clouds are so dark they make the bright areas around them appear even brighter, and that draws my eyes to them not the rock which are great by the way. Take some of the darkness away you will still keep the moody feel overall and eyes will be directed to where you want the viewer to look. Or crop that top 1/3 of the area between the horizon and top of the image away.

Cheers: Allan

[bnnrcn]

I like the image very much Claudio, but the clouds are a bit too dark and they are competing with the rocks

[Donald]

I would prefer that the sky be not so contrasty, as the bright areas distract from the rock formations, which are the subjects.

I would also agree with this comment. If you hold a piece of paper over the sky so that you cannot see it, the rocks and the sea make a magnificent image. So, I think I would significantly reduce the contrast in the sky so that it does not compete for attention with the lower part of the image.

[John 2]

It's a nice image Claudio. I can only echo the comments already made about the sky but add that another reason why the clouds are a problem is the effect they are having on the tonal distribution. A composition generally looks better if the tonal weight is at the bottom. Here it is a bit top heavy. To check it out, just scroll the posted image up a bit to hide the very dense layer of cloud at the top. IMHO, doing that transforms the feel of the image without losing any of the moodiness.

[Manfred M]

Claudio - the echo what the others have written; the mood of the sky and the sea need to match, otherwise the image will look strange and unnatural. If this is what you were trying for, then you have been successful.

On the other hand, if you are trying to get an image that looks more realistic, you are going to have to either lighten the sky to make it look less threatening or to darken up the sea to make it look more threatening.

[Stagecoach]

I like the image Claudio and have found the comments from others very helpful as I'm also working with seascapes at the moment.

A couple of areas that I note are the distortion on the horizon that is easily corrected, but, can also enhance at times. In addition whether it would be preferable in a composition like this to have the main subject not quite so centralised.

The B&W work you have done certainly works well for me.

Grahame

[saea501]

Pretty interesting......I read all of the comments above and it seems that I like it for the very reasons you all don't.

The only thing I might do would be to lighten the rock almost dead center to bring a little more detail.

Excellent, Claudio.

[Stagecoach]

Pretty interesting......I read all of the comments above and it seems that I like it for the very reasons you all don't.

The only thing I might do would be to lighten the rock almost dead center to bring a little more detail.

Excellent, Claudio.

Bob, are you thinking along the lines that there is a tendency to want to look for a focal subject and assume that 'must' be made most prominent rather than appreciating the scene as a whole?

[saea501]

I'm thinking that many times we, as photographers, over think many, if not most, of the pictures we look at. As opposed to simply letting the image do what it was intended, which is to provoke a reaction or emotion, good, bad or indifferent.

And I think because of this we can easily take the fun and enjoyment out of the object of the exercise. Before I start to analyze I try to wait for a more primal response. If the reaction is indifference, then i usually just move on. If it's good or bad, then I look closer for a reason why.

I'm big on hard contrast black and whites anyway so I liked Claudio's straight away.

Make sense?

[Stagecoach]

I'm thinking that many times we, as photographers, over think many, if not most, of the pictures we look at. As opposed to simply letting the image do what it was intended, which is to provoke a reaction or emotion, good, bad or indifferent.

And I think because of this we can easily take the fun and enjoyment out of the object of the exercise. Before I start to analyze I try to wait for a more primal response. If the reaction is indifference, then i usually just move on. If it's good or bad, then I look closer for a reason why.

I'm big on hard contrast black and whites anyway so I liked Claudio's straight away.

Make sense?

That certainly makes sense to me Bob.

[Mike Buckley]

simply letting the image do what it was intended, which is to provoke a reaction or emotion, good, bad or indifferent.

That's exactly my approach. However, when I get the impression that the photographer was trying to provoke a particular emotion and might have missed making that happen, I'll mention it along with an idea about how to get closer to the intended reaction. For me, that's not over thinking the image.

[PhotoRob]

Nice one Claudio, very sharp / great depth of field. Contrast is always a tough read because displays vary - definitely a keeper...

[FootLoose]

Very interesting discussion going on here. The OP stated that he increased the contrast to give the image a moodier look, and I think it has definitely achieved that. I can see why people are suggesting lightening the sky: I opened the image in lytebox before reading the comments and moved it around a bit a thought it could be improved by cropping the darker clouds out. That throws much more emphasis on the rocks. But that is a different picture.

If Claudio wants a moodier picture I think the darker clouds are necessary, because they set up a tension between the rocks and the sky. The high contrast in the clouds creates a threatening affect for me.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[ClaudioG]

Thank you all for all your comments it is GREATLY appreciated, in a way agree with all, i will try manipulate it a little more now that i have a little time today and will take all advice and apply it. Thanks all !

[ClaudioG]

Guys im useless at editing, i feeel like i have almost the same image, but i did lighten the centre rock, i tried putting a mild vignette in bottom corners and i tried not overdoing it in the clouds, i just cant control myself.

One thing i also did was lighten the water a little to try keep the eye from drifitng to far up



Let me know what ya think all..Thank you!!

[Kyle]

Guys im useless at editing...

Not true at all, Claudio. You've improved an already great image. The clouds still look great and the focus is now on the rocks. Great job.