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I was fortunate enough to tag along to a sunrise shoot with the Newcastle Sundance Flickr gang. Access to this beach is not that easy. Wazonthehill managed to get permission for us to park in the nearby scout camp which made things much easier.

I struggled alot with composition as I didn't seem to find alot of foreground interest (or couldn't exploit it neatly enough).

I'd like to hear your thoughts on these.












Thanks for having a look.

I like them, and I like the last one best despite is has
a pronounced glare near then left hand corner. I guess
you could clone it if you wanted, but it gives the image
a sense or realism. I think.

You have used the fall of the light on #2 to good effect. It snakes accross the forground, through the middle and then drags your eye in to the picture. I think it is great.

#1 and #4 provide the most impact.

There is a nice soft mood to #1 and the composition is sufficient to give the photo good depth.

#4 is so close to being a fantastic shot with the dark top left and the lens flare being the only nits.
It is still a very good shot as is.

Well done - your landscapes are improving quite quickly.

Firstly, I can't see #2 for some reason.

Of the rest,
#1 is nice, but for me it just lacks a strong point of interest. Its got lovely muted colour, like a watercolour rather than the usual gusto a sunrise shot has, and I like that a lot. I also like the smooth textures you've got in the water and the sand. I just don't think that rock (or whatever it is) is enough to keep the foreground interesting enough. You've already said that was an issue for you so I'd say with what you had to work with this was very good, and moving back into that outlet has definitely given stronger image than you would have gotten standing where the figures in your image are.

#4 I liked immediately. As noted the dark top left and flare could be said to take away from the image, and may be technical issues, but I didn't see them until it was pointed out, even though they are obvious. I think this is one of those images where we can get a bit bogged down in the details. When I look at that image I'm sitting on a beach in the morning, warm sun hitting my face and looking at the footsteps of those who went before me. So for me the image is pure success.

Afterthought: Just used my high tech crop testing method (patent pending) and held s piece of paper over the left of the image, cropping just past the flare. If you like a squarer format it still looks really good, so that's an option of you want to ditch the flare and shadow.

Suren,

The first and last are real standouts - at the end of the day you have to make do with what you have on the day and you have capitalised nicely with these two.

I agree with Jon, the rock in the front does not give much interest and I find my eyes heading up and outta the picture with the sand line on the RHS. I don't think even cropping it to pano would help its cause.

Now onto the good stuff, that second one is a gem, you have taken what would be an uninterestign beach shot and added a nicely timed wave to create an excellent curve and reflection - holds my interest well. Pano crop used appropriately

#3 photographers on the beach.. meh..bloody photographers on every beach nowadays...hard to get a shot without one on there

The last image is really nice, I am sure with CS5 or some equiv. spanky software that flare should disappear, once it does I think its really spot on. The dark patch on the upper left is a necessity imo, maybe backed off a bit, but, it reminds me of the fact that there is limited dynamic range when looking into the sun! nicely done.

great to see you getting out there in the cold harsh mornings

WOW, looks like your really getting into sunrise chasing!

I love the colours in #2, and in many ways it is my favourite, there is mystery to the image, almost non-photographic (but in a good way).

#1 and #4 are very nice, but I would try a narrow pano crop with #1 (just a sliver of the reflective water).

I can see #2 now! Have to agree with the consensus that it's great.

Everything good I said about #1 holds, but my eyes don't wonder off in the same way. Even though there isn't a specific foreground interest, the vignette holds the eye moving around the middle and just appreciating those lovely muted colours. The sunrise, waves and reflection on the sand all set each other off nicely. A really nice ethereal image.

Nice set and well presented.
Like the pastel shades in the first 3 and the contrasting drama or climax in the last
I'd be using the clone tool in #4 to remove the flare.
#2 confuses my eyes into thinking the image is horizon is crooked but it isnt. It's obviously the angle of the leading edge of the reflective sand in the foreground that is the culprit.

Thanks for everyone for taking time to comment.

zafra52 wrote:it gives the image
a sense or realism

Thanks Zafra. I have been removing less and less elements from images lately.

CraigVTR wrote:It snakes accross the forground, through the middle and then drags your eye in to the picture. I think it is great.

Craig, I just wished that I captured two frames (pano). I don't think I have much resolution left to print if I wanted to...

Bob G wrote:#4 is so close to being a fantastic shot with the dark top left and the lens flare being the only nits.

as this one has lost alot due to cropping...
Thanks BobG. I do have a lighter version part of the original bracket. I should be able to blend some of it back.

dawesy wrote:#1 is nice, but for me it just lacks a strong point of interest.

That's what I was thinking as well. Unfortunately I couldn't find any thing better suited at the time.

dawesy wrote:my high tech crop testing method

That is interesting. I never think of landcapes in square crop. I think this may work. Will have another look.

biggerry wrote:ano crop used appropriately

I have been seeing a little more pano lately. Perhaps I need to get into the habit of taking a couple of frames.

biggerry wrote:great to see you getting out there in the cold harsh mornings

Yep! Wore thongs to this one and I couldn't feel my feet for most of the time. I was afraid that I might catch frost bite. The sea temperature was warmer though!

aim54x wrote:I love the colours in #2, and in many ways it is my favourite, there is mystery to the image, almost non-photographic (but in a good way).

Cameron, I had so many if these on the day since I was hanging close to the water to warm my feet!!

dawesy wrote:A really nice ethereal image.

I was amazed myself at the difference that a few seconds exposure brings. Although this image suits the mood that morning perfectly. It was so very peaceful especially when I was far from the photogs yakking about the latest piece of equipment.

Jenno wrote:#2 confuses my eyes into thinking the image is horizon is crooked but it isnt.

I had to adjust this image so many times. Nearly all my pictures are crooked out of camera. Maybe that electronic level thing would be great to have if I get into a habit of using one. Would one of those simple spirit levels work for this axis?

surenj wrote:Yep! Wore thongs to this one and I couldn't feel my feet for most of the time.

get ya self a cheap pair of scuba booties, they have a gripey sole for rocks and are neoprene to keep your toes toasty...

Here is the second take on the last image as suggested.



and a square crop for good measure.



Thanks for all your input. I think these are improvements on the original.

Non cropped version for me, works a treat imo.

biggerry wrote:Non cropped version for me, works a treat imo.

#1 (from 1st post) is great. Great colors and very nice composition. Perfectly balanced!

I would pano crop the rework to get rid of the messy footprints at the base....just my take on it!