Derelict boat

[christopherpm]

I took this image on the way back from the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Highlands.

I've only had my camera for a few months, so I'm still on a steep learning curve.

http://www.chrismillard.com/script/uploaded_images/IMG_4971a.jpg

[Radtech1]

As a photograph, it is flat and lacking.

What it is a photograph of is compelling and interesting.

PLEASE think of this as the "raw material" from which you can create an exquisite image. Read the middle portion of this essay : http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/vision.shtml and begin practicing your photoshop skills. This could be a prize winner.

Rad

[JohnnyG]

As a photograph, it is flat and lacking.

What it is a photograph of is compelling and interesting.

PLEASE think of this as the "raw material" from which you can create an exquisite image. Read the middle portion of this essay : http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/vision.shtml and begin practicing your photoshop skills. This could be a prize winner.

Rad

Agreed with all that you said. It does have an exquisite composition. It needs 'punch'!

[pacific]

I also have some old boats that I have taken photos of which I like but lack punch. I looked at Radtech1's suggestion to look up the essay and it was great. Being new I wasn't aware of some of these methods. I quickly goofed around with a Sunset Photo I posted recently and liked the results. I need to search the forum for some more details on how to use this.

[Nidz]

I agree. With some post-processing you could have a winner on your hands!

[uktrailmonster]

The idea was great, but the burnt out sky is detracting and the rest is too dark and flat. Perhaps asking a bit too much of the camera's dynamic range. It might have been nice to take the shot from varying distances from the boat to show more context. Perhaps you did anyway?

[christopherpm]

I will "try" some post-processing, but my PS skills are not great at all. It was unfortunate, but I only had very limited standing points, as these boats were on the edge of a Loch in Scotland. I had to jump our of my car on a single track road and take a few shots before I blocked the road completely!

I am happy with the composition, but not the colouring...

[Hellashot]

Your scene unfortunately is victim of poor lighting. A bright background, and dark foreground - where the subject is. A powerful flash would have helped a lot.

[Robert_Lay]

My conclusion is that you were shooting into the sun.
Why?
If you go past there again, try to arrive when the sun is to your back.
Shooting into the sun is guaranteed to reduce your overall contrast and reduce the detail in the shadows.