I just don't know.

[eddie haskell]

I took this photo this past winter. It was a very "thick" day, with flurries, but practically no wind, of a freighter heading out to sea late in the afternoon. The muted colors match the mood of the day very well, but I'm having a hard time deciding what I think about this picture.

I'd really appreciate your critiquing :smash:

Thanks.....

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm288/eddy-haskell/voage.jpg

[JimL]

I like the layering you have here which really contributes to the depth of the photo.
I'm not really fond of the dark ridge line which is running almost through the center of the frame but you kept it from cutting the ship and it does help bring out the ships shape.
I initially thought that it could be cropped from the bottom but the suns reflection, in addition to adding to the interest, also gives some idea of what time of day the photo was taken.
The muted colors work well for me in this instance, setting a subdued mood. Save the bright, "jump out of the frame", colors for the next parade or clown shots.
JimL

[imagesbytlp]

I agree with Jim...in the muted tones are lovely and the various mountian peaks really give it depth. You did well with the rule of thirds for composing the image.

I do feel like you should have used a deeper depth of field...this is shot at f/6.3. For a landscape...especially one with this much real estate...should typically be shot somewhere from f/9 to f/22...but, only if you have a tripod (since most anything shot under 1/80 is going to show camera shake) and this was a hazy late day shot...so you know the shutter speed is going to be slow.

I do like it...it had unique coloring.

[brucep]

I like the vertical layering (like a parfait!). I think moving the centered elements (the ship and the sun) away from center would help. Here I've also increased contrast using a Curves adjustment layer.

I like the asymmetry of the distant mountains and the strong horizontal crop.

A deep depth of field isn't really needed here as everything is at "infinity," but it could stand to be much sharper. Maybe put the camera on a tripod next time?

[eddie haskell]

Thank you guys ever so much :-D

I know the quality of this hand held was poor, but I now see it was the layered depth of the mountain ridges that can really add to a composition.

Bright colors for a clown....man Jim, that is classic advice...I LOVE IT!

[LewLorton]

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/9233/boatby5.jpg

[eddie haskell]

Dude....the boat moved :shock:

[LewLorton]

Boat moved and now has very slight attenuated shadow.
Moved the boat off the center of the picture.
Sharpness isn't everything; IMO this is very, very nice.

Lew

[viv1969]

With the boat being one of those huge puppies, I'm pretty sure he would have been moving at a snails pace, and for me that just adds to the sense of calm here. Maybe I'm just an over-imaginative geek, but I can imagine standing and seeing this scene, perhaps hearing distance seabird calls on the breeze.

I've had a little crack at it just to adjust the colour a little and take the ship a little further away from central.

I agree with Lew here....sharpness isn't always the nirvana with an image, and this one is lovely.

http://www.photozo.com/album/data/500/voyage.jpg

[eddie haskell]

[quote="viv1969"]With the boat being one of those huge puppies, I'm pretty sure he would have been moving at a snails pace, and for me that just adds to the sense of calm here. Maybe I'm just an over-imaginative geek, but I can imagine standing and seeing this scene, perhaps hearing distance seabird calls on the breeze.

I've had a little crack

[quote]

And Miss Poppins.......what are those seabirds telling you......

Surely not that they want a cracker :-P

Ruth....I like what you did with it :-D

Thanks you guys.....this has been a fine lesson for me, much appreciated!!!!