Let the wind be your fuel!

[Nicola]

Ah yes, the wind and a surfer LOVE-IT!!!

I can tell from the photo (1) that you posted that you were very excited to see and photograph this adventurous surfer.

Nice use of telephoto lens to compress the distance.

Nicely in focus and a surprising small amount of haze/water vapor in the picture, must have been right after a cold front that reduced the humidity.

Can we take this shot to a new level? Composition of the surfer being "bulls-eye" takes a lot of the drama away from a potentially exciting shot.

Try this: Ask yourself; "What is the subject and how can I show the emotion and strength of the event"

Possible answer (for me); widen out, place the subject in the lower 1/3 and on the right 1/3. This will improve the emotion(s) of the shot.

Take a few moments and review the Cambridge in Color Tutorials on Basic Composition.

All that aside, GLAD YOU WERE THERE!!!

paul

Many thanks Paul for your feedback! it is very appreciated!
you are right, the air was quite clear, because the mistral was blowing (NW) and here it is a cool and "clear" wind
about the composition of the pic, you are right once again, how can't you be? I have clear in mind the rule of third
but sometimes I do prefer to use the central cross type AF sensor on my camera in order to obtain a better focusing, and then crop in PP..
why i haven't cropped that picture?
sometimes I think that placing the subject in the center of the frame increases the importance of the environment surrounding him, increasing the feeling of "the immersion of a little man in the big environment/nature" (in a few words)
but it's only my humble opinion, and it could not work in this case or could not works at all
it could be interesting to know your and other members' opinions about this...
thanks again!
cheers
nicola

[ucci]

Nicola
As I understand it, the third's rule is a very important guide line, which works wonders. But I don't believe it to be either sacrosanct or inviolate. There are times when one might elect to not apply it. For, let's face it, the bottom line is that it is your concept and your 'story' that you are encapsulating with your camera. This is only my opinion of course. Others who know far more than me about these things may take issue with my opinion and strongly disagree. No problems. I reckon a bit of enthusiastic controversy can be a great stepping stone along the learning path
K