This is a shot I got a few weeks ago on a trip to the coast. The only major postwork I've done apart from tweaking the contrast/colours, is to change the sky for one with a bit more interest. The thing is, although I like it, it seems to be lacking something. It just doesn't have that punch. Or maybe I'm totally wrong and it's a great pic afterall, lol.

Anyway I figured I'd get some feedback before I posted it to my gallery.

• Andy

www.natural-photo.co.uk

"Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.  ~Ansel Adams"

And here's my second attempt...

www.natural-photo.co.uk

"Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.  ~Ansel Adams"

Hmm, cant really choose between the two. How about this?

Question the question. Answer the question. Question the answer...

I wish I knew what I was gonna say :oP

*i like the first.....

how about this? ....

*

I like the shot and all but I think what brings it down is the thing with the sky there... it just feels like it's not part of it... see how it's got that line between it and the rest? At first I wasn't sure if you had put something like a burn layer over to get detail back... but anyway still like it.. here's my version if that's ok...

I payed to get myself into an institution :m_tear: Check out my temporary site: APACHA

I noticed a very slight tilt on the horizon, which seems to be even strengthened by the fact that the right side looks to be drawn to the bottom by the line of poles... I also think that line of poles extends a bit too much to the right, fully dominating the wide open space; I'm not sure if that was the right choice here. There is also a very stark contrast between the black poles and the rest of the scene; it doesn't seem to blend together very well. And on the cropping issue, I would consider loosing some of the space at the bottom. Here's a try to implement some of those points...

We do not see things as they are. ǝɹɐ ǝʍ sɐ sƃuıɥʇ ǝǝs ǝʍ
 

Some good points there Geert and yeah I also noticed that tilt (forgot to mention it but did change it in my edit )

I payed to get myself into an institution :m_tear: Check out my temporary site: APACHA

Another thing I'd like to mention: on my edited version, the dark line of the poles is now almost fully extended from the bottom left to the top right corner, which makes a strong diagonal line. What you don't immediately notice, is that that diagonal dark line is now countered by a new opposing 'path of light' from top left to (almost) bottom right, keeping the balance in the image...
That's one of the things I like to play with, that balance and the 'countering' of image elements...

We do not see things as they are. ǝɹɐ ǝʍ sɐ sƃuıɥʇ ǝǝs ǝʍ
 

Thanks for the feedback guys, it's very much appreciated.
Sometimes you can spend so much time looking at something you don't see what's there, lol.
I hadn't actually noticed the slight tilt but now you point it out I can't take eyes off it.
I knew there was a better picture in there somewhere, I just needed prodding in the right direction. When I took the shot I was shooting towards the sun, although it was overcast it was quite bright with just the odd break in the clouds. On the original the sky was ok but a bit lacking in detail, so I swapped it for another one. I guess I still need to brush up on my editing skills.

• Andy

www.natural-photo.co.uk

"Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.  ~Ansel Adams"

Hello Andy,

i've made a try too. Hope this help ;o)

sorry for the quality, but it could be easier with a higher resolution pic :os

nice one Girsempa and ShortRibs :oD i like yours !

Good feedback from everyone. Neat image Andy and a scene with potential. I like what Olivier did with it the best, but I can't help but wish that the post were a bit lighter. I miss seeing a lot of detail in them.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

I think Oliver has produced a great looking image too.
I agree, the posts would look better with a bit more detail showing - even if it were just the nearest ones. I'll be visiting this location again sometime in the next few weeks, hopefully I can get something a little better 'straight off the camera' as I'll have more time. When I took this shot I was rushing a bit as it was a spur of the moment  sort of thing, and my wife was getting impatient cos I kept wandering off...  'just trying to get a better angle dear' :biggrin:

www.natural-photo.co.uk

"Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.  ~Ansel Adams"