First posting and first digital camera

[Meerkat17]

Hello all
New to the forum and also new to digital photography although I've been using a canon SLR (EOS 1000F) for quite a few years. Just before Xmas I bought a G5 and have been amazed at the results that I'm getting.

I thought I'd introduce myself and let you give your comments on the following pic I took a few nights ago.

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/photos/millen_bridge.jpg

I've enjoyed reading this forum and the tips and advice have helped me in the past few weeks since I bought the camera. Keep up the good work.

Regards
meerkat

[TeraGram93013]

STUNNING!

The problem I see with this image is that the water isn't perfectly on a flat horizon with the viewer.

I might have taken my PS measuring tool across the surface of the water there, hit "Rotate Canvas Arbitrary" and let it make the adjustment. Then of course, a crop is necessary.

I might have also dodged some of the lighter wires.

[GPR1]

I think the horizon is just fine, and I like the image. Good control of light in a difficult situation. I would crop off about half the bottom between the bottom of the frame and the first bridge. Others might like more of the reflection in the water than that, but with the water broken so much by the wind I think it's better cropped.

Greg

[TeraGram93013]

Greg:

When you look at that image, don't you get the feeling that the river is going to pour over the railing there?

[defordphoto]

My eye draws to the railing. I want to view the bridges and all the cool angles, but that railing keeps drawing my eye. I also vote for a good bottom crop.

[Meerkat17]

Thanks for the suggestions - I think the reason that the river doesn't seem to be on a perfectly on a flat horizon with the viewer - is the angle of the footway of the bridge and the verticals of the reflections are causing a slight optical illusion - maybe I'm wrong!? I've had a go at changing it and it makes little difference.

I also have tried cropping it down as suggested and it helps but I don't want to crop out the railing altogether as I'll also lose half the bridge in the distance,


Suppose I can go back and try some other angles and also at a higher tide.

Thanks again
meerkat

[Warman]

Took me a while to find out what railing was being mentioned. When i did find out, i realized i hadn't noticed it until that moment...

[G3]

My opinion is that the composition is just fine as is. The rail in the foreground adds a sense of depth., as does the reflection in the water from the first arch.

[GPR1]

Teregram,

I think the horizon is flat -- it doesn't bother me.

Meerkat,

I'm not talking about cropping in from the left, but up from the bottom, perhaps just to that first post on the railing. I agree it adds depth, but you'll still get a sense of depth with a better balanced composition.

Greg

[G3]

Teregram,

I think the horizon is flat -- it doesn't bother me.

Meerkat,

I'm not talking about cropping in from the left, but up from the bottom, perhaps just to that first post on the railing. I agree it adds depth, but you'll still get a sense of depth with a better balanced composition.

Greg

Th problem I see with that is that in order to do that, you will automatically lose a good bit from either the right or the left (or both), if you try to crop up from the bottom and maintain the aspect ratio. If you sacrifice from the left side of the photo, you lose part of the second arch, which is also an important part of the composition. Also, I think you would lose too much of the reflection of the arch by doing that. What would be left would be lost in the big bright reflection on the water.

[GPR1]

Why is it necessary to maintain the aspect ratio? Unless an image is intended for a special space, I think it should be cropped to its ideal composition. The aspect ratio of the sensor/film is arbitrary. If you wanted it to fit a monitor, for instance, you could surround the image with a black border designed to fit the aspect ratio.

Greg

[G3]

OK...on this photo we agree to disagree. :) It's all a matter of personal preference anyway... you don't like the current composition so much and I do. No problem.

[GPR1]

Agreed...or disagreed. It's good to have different opinions.

Greg

[shniks]

Well, I'll put my two cents in and say that I think the photo is stunning, especially for someone who also owns a G5 and has never been able to come up with anything that good. Well done!

[Radtech1]

I cant see anything. When I click on the box where the image should be it takes me to a portal

Rad

[Meerkat17]

Aplogies, I deleted the images by mistake when I was cleaning up my webspace.
Here's the 2 of the Angel and also the Millennium Bridge which was my first my first posting.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23621