Images of an Angel

[Meerkat17]

Hello all,
Not been able to get out an play with my 20D very much since getting it last November. Here's three pictures which I would like your critique on. I have submitted photos previously of this subject but I'm trying to capture something different each time I visit, anyhow, any input would be helpful.
Thanks in advance
David

Dwarfed by the Sky
http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/_MG_6730.jpg
Shutter speed: 1/30 sec
Aperture: 22
Exposure mode: Manual
Metering mode: Evaluative
ISO: 100
Lens: 18 to 50mm
Focal length: 18mm
Image size: 3504 x 2336
Image quality: Raw
White balance: Preset
CFn 4: Shutter release: AE lock; AE button: AF
CFn 12: Mirror lockup: Enable

Standing on the edge
http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/_MG_6740.jpg
Shutter speed: 1/13 sec
Aperture: 22
Exposure mode: Manual
ISO: 100
Lens: 18 to 50mm
Focal length: 18mm
Image quality: Raw
White balance: Preset

Up Close
http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/_MG_6748.jpg
Shutter speed: 1/10 sec
Aperture: 18
Exposure mode: Manual
Metering mode: Evaluative
ISO: 100
Lens: 18 to 50mm
Focal length: 30mm
Image quality: Raw
White balance: Preset

[Carzee]

The figure is well placed, but the sky just don't have any punch. Not enough orange for me, not enough drama. Grey - gloomy. Go when that sunset really rocks...

[sixshot]

The first one works best for me and I like the sky in this one. A little more orange would be nice though.

[lomond]

Hi, David.
Nice to see you back, missed your thoughtful and constructive replies.
OK, on to the shots.

No.1 ...... I think it is as the title says Dwarfed by the Sky.
I like the composition, however.


No 2 .... This is my favourite. The strong diagonal of the wings from the right and the overall positioning of the figure make this shot.
I might be inclined to punch up the contrast and add some colour saturation to the sky.

No.3..... This is also a dramatic image for the same reasons as no.2.
This is a personal thing, but then all critique is, I don't like to see the fabrication on the Angel of the North.
I would reduce the tonal values of the silhouette in curves to make the fabrication less visible.


Let me say this.....I think no.2 and no.3 are among the best images I have seen of this figure.

[PhotosGuy]

Where have you been David?
I prefer the 1st one 'cause it gives me some idea of what it is, or might be, & the sky has a nice feeling. The others are more dramatic, but the wings look like a girder or fence & I have no idea what the pic represents. Actually, I still have no idea what the pic represents! ;-)

[Meerkat17]

Thanks everyone for the input, good and bad. The reason they possibly don't have much colour about them is they were more or less straight out of the camera with just slight adjustments cropping, straightening, etc. but wanted to know peoples thoughts.

Whilst I like qualities in them all (biased I know LOL) with the first I wanted to "dwarf the Angel with the sky" the Angel is just so big and the sky was so large and quite dramatic with cloud. (its the element of an angel or so we are taught) I've produce a Velvia type image of the first shot which can be viewed here: http://davidlewins.fotopic.net/p14963491.html it certainly has more impact now.

Cameron, The second and third images were an attempt at beingminimalist - also trying to get a shot where no bushes/trees are intruding is becoming difficult. I've tried to "punch" the colour up in these two but they still come out slightly flat.

Frank, http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif it's not a dead dandylion with wings, sorry! Here, this link will give you some background info on what I was taking shots of http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/angel/

Cameron, You sure you got the right bloke? "thoughtful and constructive replies!" surely not from me! LOL http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif Nice to know that I've been missed in some way!http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

Best regards
David

[Meerkat17]

Cameron,

I take it all back - decided to have another go from RAW in DPP and increase the colour saturation.

How do these two grab you? http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

Thanks for the encouragement...

Regards
David


http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/_MG_6740_2.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/_MG_6748_2.jpg

[lomond]

David, funny you should post now, I was just having another look at the images.
I was actually considering if a conversion to monochrome would work. :?

That said, I like the boost in colour.
That's just a great angle on the first of the beingminimalist shots.

Again, welcome back.