Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - Istanbul

[batmura]

Which one do you guys prefer and what do you think of this shot? C&C welcome.

#1

Otagtepe-BW by batmura, on Flickr

#2

Otagtepe-SC by batmura, on Flickr

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Murat,

First off, they are both a bit dark, but perhaps there's a reason you wanted that look(?)

I find both shots very busy - lots of different shapes and tones competing for attention; the flag, the clouds, the leaves top left, the bridge, the city skyline, the river.

With a cloudless sky, the leaves might be OK, but as it stands, I'd suggest they just add confusion.

In the first, the flag is well hidden due to its brightness of B&W conversion against the dark sky, this is addressed in the second, but if the subject is supposed to be the bridge, I have to ask; why attract attention to the flag?

Hope that's helpful,

[batmura]

Dave, this is very helpful feedback! I really appreciate it and will take everything you said into consideration. I have another shot from a different angle without the bridge and would welcome your comments on it.


Otagtepe by batmura, on Flickr

[Marie Hass]

This is an interesting scene! For reasons that Dave mentioned, can you back off the HDR processing a tad? It is difficult for my eye to appreciate one particular detail, except for the second, the red flag grabs my attention.

Marie

[Marie Hass]

Aha!! Much better!!! For me, at least.

Marie

[Dave Humphries]

Dave, this is very helpful feedback! I really appreciate it and will take everything you said into consideration. I have another shot from a different angle without the bridge and would welcome your comments on it.

This is a simpler composition.

Although I am still unconvinced by the need to frame the bridge with the foreground trees/bushes.
I would have shot from a pace or two further forward and tried one shot without leaves on either side and another shot without leaves on left - still keeping them on the right (to give depth), but not obstructing the bridge tower.

I find the blue sky unnaturally a bit too dark, but the clouds are better, picking up from Marie's comment on HDR.

Again, I hope that's helpful,