Two Men in a Boat

[Donald]

When I spent a weekend on the shores of Loch Lomond in 2012, I tried a silhouette-type shot and ended up with this.

So, this year (I go there every year), I thought I'd try to work on the same idea and see what I could do.

The one good thing is that there are plenty of opportunities, as lots people go fishing on these boats (Bernard -Benjy- this is thanks to you!).

What I wanted to do was hold on to a bit of detail in the land in the background and not let it go completely black. Does it work?


40D, Sigma 120-400 F4.5-5.6 APO DG OS @ 400mm. ISO100. 1/4000@f5.6.

[John 2]

In a word - yes. I like that Donald. Might have preferred it cropped a little tighter at the top but I 'm not certain about that. See what others think.

[Donald]

See what others think.

Indeed. What I thought was that I didn't want the shoreline (which, effectively, is like a horizon), too close to the top.

[Geoff F]

I think you could probably reduce that black area by around a quarter, with a similar amount from the right side.

At the moment it seems just a fraction heavy compared with the delicate effect from the boat and waves.

[Mike Buckley]

I agree that the top area could be reduced a tad.

Consider eliminating all sharpening and reducing contrast in the lake. For me, the lake stands out more than the silhouette of the boat and fishermen, and I think you want the silhouette to be the first thing that I see.

[Donald]

I agree that the top area could be reduced a tad.

There seems to be a consensus on that one.

I shall take it on board ... along with what else has been said.

[Digital]

Donald, regardless of what you do in PP, it is a good capture.

Bruce

[Donald]

I have taken on board the comments made. Whilst perhaps not applying them in strictly the way the commentators intended, I have given them my interpretation and come up with a re-worked version of the image with which I am quite pleased.

What do you think?

[Digital]

I have taken on board the comments made. Whilst perhaps not applying them in strictly the way the commentators intended, I have given them my interpretation and come up with a re-worked version of the image with which I am quite pleased.

What do you think?

Donald, I like the perspective on the second image better.

Bruce

[splashy]

I prefer the original.

[Mike Buckley]

I prefer the lower contrast in the lake (not a surprise, considering that I suggested it) but I prefer the crop and trees in the original version.

[Ken Curtis]

Hi Donald.

The contrast of the whites and blacks on the water's surface is too severe for my tastes and the boat and men do not stand out as much as I think they could if my attention were not drawn to the water. Hard for me to tell without trying it. Any chance you would post the original?

[NorthernFocus]

Hi Donald.

The contrast of the whites and blacks on the water's surface is too severe...

I like the overall composition in the first image. IMO the horizontal crop in the first image works better. I agree with Ken though that the choppiness of the water is too distracting. To the point that it obscures the silhouette of the boat/people and is almost dizzying. Maybe you should have a talk with those fishermen and get them to set out on the water earlier in the morning before the wind gets up

[FootLoose]

Perhaps a layer with a gaussion blur could smooth the dizzying water?