The Swing

[maderito]

Looking for feedback - my first post here. Thanks.

http://display.lifepics.com/imgdisp.asp?filespec=%60foxhx2cuxmwdogx%5D9%3C%3D8 %3B9dOjeOrmlfWpgdT%7E%7Borqb90oqn%1264%3E6A4%0E179 6%3CB

Canon EOS 10D
17-40 L @ 24 mm
1/2000
F 8.0
ISO 400
Photoshop 7
Downsampled to 380 x 540

[Ikinaa]

Nice ... the only thing disturbing is the bar going through the lady..., perhaps you should have positioned yourself a bit more to the right...

[maderito]

Ikinaa wrote:
Nice ... the only thing disturbing is the bar going through the lady..., perhaps you should have positioned yourself a bit more to the right...
Thanks Ikinna. Interesting that I never really noticed the "bar going through the lady." My eyes are drawn to the angled lines of the image, some of which are intersecting.

[henkbos]

Seems a little over sharpened to me. You can see white lines around her shoulder.
I would try to save the blown out area of the sea on the right. You might be able to do this by cloning another part of the sea in there.

[maderito]

Thanks Henkbos. The photo is intentionally shot and processed as a "high key," backlit photo. Thus I expected and relied on the fact that that some of the image would be "blown." Backlit and high key photos are hard to do -- that's why I submitted this particular photo for comment.

I will consider your suggestion to recover some of the blown highlights on the water by using the cloning tool -- easy enough to do. The excess sharpening is not present in the original photo and print. I applied some last minutes sharpening after downsampling and preparing for web viewing. I agree that you can see the sharpening artifacts.

I never thought of this image as meeting the requirements of the Ansel Adams I-IX zone system. It's a high contrast image with interesting linear elements that capture my attention. I've shown it to friends who really like it. But, I thought I might share it with a more critical audience to get other opinoins.

[henkbos]

I now understand that you were trying a specific technique with this shot. Obviously my comments might have been different if I had known. I think it's a good idea to mention those specifics whenever you ask for a critique.

[martcol]

I like this shot and have some comments but, they are purely subjective. I find the composure very strong and was taken immediately by your use of intersecting lines. The frame, chains, horizon and waterline. I think that standing to the left a bit might have been interesting, getting the person inside that middle triangle of the frame - hmmmm.

I also find two elements in the shot compete with each other. The sky and beach look lovely, so much Blue. When thinking about that, I start to wander from the subject. I wonder if it would help if the subject was completely silhouetted - just a thought. Have you tried it in B&W?

If I'd taken the shot I would be really pleased with it. Too pleased perhaps, to go for the critique! Nice work.

Martin

[stopbath]

My 2 cents...

I find the red jacket, and swing frame too dark. Perhaps a little fill flash or reflector during exposure, or use of curves during edit. Just a little more exposure.

The blown out cloud is disturbing.

Compositionally, I think its great (Sun, water, swings, swinger). I'm not sure about the lady and the bar issue. I think it's fine as is, but perhaps another position just might work more magic...

[maderito]

Thanks to all for the VERY helpful comments and critique. I hope this forum stays active ... I would like to post other photos from time to time.