Golden hour sun

[deathcake]

I really like how this shot turned out, wanted to know what you guys think. Not sure how to edit it, the colours out of the camera are more warm than I usually like, but that's how it was in real life.

Taken with the 50D and the Canon EF 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II which I was testing out, it has a really bad reputation.

80mm, f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/320sec, manual exposure, AF
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6862/img4759q.jpg

This is the edit I am currently going with. If anyone wants to suggest any other options or give editing it a try, you are most welcome.

[arkphotos]

Its pleasing, but I find my eyes drawn to the building stonework (where the sunlight hits). Thinking it might be a bit over-sharpened above the window. Also, i find the sunlight on grass a little distracting.

I assume you want the attention on the person, but my eyes never seem to 'go ' there.

[sapearl]

Hello there Deathpastry - I'm a big fan of the golder hour myself..... early morning or early evening and am constantly seeking it out. Thank you for sharing a nice composition.

This is a good shot and there's not a lot of major work it needs. However, since you ask.... you could add and exposure adjustment layer to that middle shadow foliage and stonework and just bring up the illumination no more that 1/2 stop for a titch more detail. I might also crop about 20% off the right. That brighter bush could be visually competing with the young lady.

You have a good eye, and I'm just being picky. This would also make a good candidate for a b/w interpretation.

One thing I would NOT do is process it through an HDR interpretation. I like the deep shadows and graded tones. Some folks tend to go overboard w/HDR and recreate more tones that just end up destroying visually interesting contrast.

[Flo]

One of my favorites from you..but I thought there were just too many things vying for attention.I wanted to see the girl and the stonework.so I tired a square crop.
I like this one of yours DC:cool:
http://macymae.smugmug.com/Animals/Animals/img4759q/806310179_VRv4X-M.jpg

[sapearl]

Very nice enhancement Flo. :D

One of my favorites from you..but I thought there were just too many things vying for attention.I wanted to see the girl and the stonework.so I tired a square crop.
I like this one of yours DC:cool:
http://macymae.smugmug.com/Animals/Animals/img4759q/806310179_VRv4X-M.jpg

[Flo]

Thanks Stuart, I think DC might not like all the missing elements though.:oops:

[tonydee]

I'm for the original crop... the elements at right provide interesting layering of depth through the image, and counterbalancing elements around the corners. It carries the eye in well - with the path being an unobtrusive but effective lead in, but there's nothing at the "back" there to really hold attention. With dark hedges obscuring the ground back there, the direction of some of the walls isn't strongly established, but can be reasoned out (e.g. the wall over the two arched windows might at first appear to be perpendicular to the windows). The path leading right to left might have carried the eye out, but the lady is sufficient to counter that. It does seem a bit sharp in places - the wall facing us, the top of her leg. The top edge is a little bright - I sometimes use a subtle gradient fade on such shots - but I really like the general contrast and exposure.

Cheers,
Tony

[duckduckdog]

I'm really liking it....

[corkneyfonz]

Exemplary capture.

[Mu Eugene]

What everyone said already + couple more things:

1. it's probably just me but once I started noticing the blue flowers above and around her head, they started looking like cartoon stars in Tom and Jerry that one sees when Tom is whacked on his head.

2. I agree with Tony on the composition, and as sapearl suggests, a localized exposure adjustments would enhance the photo. For example, the right foreground bush could be a tad darker so as not to compete with the figure (yet enough to hold interest that is then carried by the bright patch of grass, which in itself functions as an auxiliary element to the path that leads one's eyes to the figure - get that?)
Also, the metal valley flashing on the building is too bright and you can 'burn in' that element so as not to let it be distracting.

I love the composition - the complexity, richness of layers, proportions and positive/negative all combined to make it into a stimulating photo to look at.

*I've been trained to look at compositions in an (over)analytical manner, for better or worse. Some of the principles can be found by looking up Le Corbusier's regulating lines, for example.

[navydoc]

Flo's enhancement isn't showing but did you try to open up the shadows some? Here's my try.

[deathcake]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback, guys! I took the camera hoping to take some candids in golden hour sun, but this is the only one with a person in it I was brave enough to take. It was too good to miss, i'm happy most of you like it as well. The rest of them are candids of ducks =P

Flo - I've actually tried a portrait crop of this, and wasn't happy with losing so much info. Yours is better at giving her more space, so I think I'll try something similar as well as keeping the original and just have both of them. Really glad you like the shot!

Thanks for the composition analysis everyone...I'd like to say a lot of thought went into it, but it was more of a "That looks cool, let's frame it like this" situation. :lol: Funny about the blue flowers looking like stars.

As for bringing out the shadows, good idea, but I want to keep some of the contrast. Navydoc's edit seems to achieve that.

Thanks again for the feedback, I have uni again so don't have time to reply to you all yet =)

[jetcode]

You could be a rep for all lenses with a bad reputation turning a fast buck by showing people how to use them! NavyDoc did a good job (again) bringing the mids out.

[Surfnsun]

Nice shot, the edit looks good