Two Yachts: The High Key Approach

[Donald]

In response to a comment about this one on my Facebook page, I realised that I'm not as attuned into 'seeing' high-key possibilities when composing a shot as I think I should be. This, to my eyes, was a fairly obvious one and the photograph was taken with this outcome very much in mind.

Probably just need to get out there and be thinking 'high-key' (or 'low key') at a more conscious level.

Interested to read whether you think I went the right way with it.


40D, Sigma 120-400 F4.5-5.6 APO DG OS @ 198mm. ISO 800. 1/1000@f5.6.

[Magog]

Donald,

As a bit of a novice, I hesitate to comment, but I think for me the dark hull of the yacht on the left doesn't quite work in this type of photo. It seems slightly at odds with the otherwise ethereal look of the picture. But perhaps you were aiming to have that boat draw the eye in from left to right?

[shreds]

It doesn't quite work for me, plus the reflection of the mast to the right hand side boat falls out of the frame and also just cuts the far shoreline, if I am being ultra picky (Sorry!). Perhaps it just me. Not sure in my mind that this 'scape' is right for high key?

[AB26]

Donald I can see this hanging in an art gallery.

I would have liked to see a bit more space for the reflection of the right hand mast in the water. Maybe angling the camera a bit more to the right and getting down lower.
Consider a bit of a different crop and see the outcome.

It is a matter of personal taste.

[John 2]

I'm very nearly with Ian on this one Donald. The treatment is good, the subject matter works and the mast leaving the bottom of the frame only needs a bit of cloning out. The only thing that doesn't sit right with me is that two of anything makes for a difficult composition and it doesn't quite work here for me.....but that's probably just me.

[Digital]

Donald, I like the composition; however the high key approach does not work for me IMHO.

Bruce

[pasusan]

Hi Donald - you're getting lots of suggestions on this... I love the idea and it almost works perfectly for me. If it was mine I would crop off the sky and try to straighten that right boat with its reflection. Very nice!

[Mike Buckley]

I like this. I like other images of yours more but I do like it. The only thing that "bothers" me is that the mast on the right stops almost precisely at the shoreline.

Most important regarding your question of whether you went the right way with it: you definitely did.

[Didace]

The only thing that "bothers" me is that the mast on the right stops almost precisely at the shoreline.

This is the first thing I noticed.

[Steve S]

Nice image donald, good to see you posting again. I don't know much about high key, but I like the image. Has a peaceful feel to it.