Help me weed

[pasusan]

If you would like to help, please tell me which image you prefer, why, and/or what you would do to make it better...

Is it the composition you prefer, the story being told, or something else?

1.


2.


3.

[Digital]

I like #2 because of the simplicity of the scene. It also conveys isolation IMHO.


Bruce

[ShaneS]

Susan, I like #3 and to a slightly lesser degree #2. I like the amount of foreground that really leads the eye and give a sense of vastness in #3 but would try a crop (or clone out) where the picnic table on the left is eliminated.

[pasusan]

Thanks Bruce and Shane!

Shane, I did another version of #3 that uses your suggestions. I do want to keep the same aspect ratio as this is for a slideshow and I prefer the pictures not to change size and shape as it goes. #3 was not the one I originally chose, but it is nice to see some definition to the clouds over the water. Also to keep the feeling of isolation I agree it's better to not have the second picnic table. What's really strange is the camera actually picked up more than the eye. The water and sky was all pretty much a consistent blue with very slight striations.

so, I'll add another choice to the mix:

4.

[Mike Buckley]

Susan,

I like the first and second one and the potential for the third one. In that third one, you can maintain the same aspect ratio and crop it much more while maintaining the interesting foreground if the top of the frame is just barely above the treetops.

As for all of them, consider adding a slight vignette that darkens everything except the picnic table and the sky enclosed immediately above it by the trees. I'm thinking of the kind of vignette that you don't see until you remove it. I think of vignettes like a seasoning in food that you don't notice until you serve the dish without it. That kind of vignette will add depth to the photo and will accentuate the picnic table.

Also straighten all of the photos to make the picnic table level.

[John 2]

No.2 for me Susan because the compositional balance is right. No. 3 has too much space on the RHS. Mike's suggestions for PP will help because they will draw the eye into to "lonely" bench and emphasise the feeling of isolation.

[Mike Buckley]

I forgot to help with your weeding. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the first one. That's because I like the foreground shadow that sort of points to the picnic table and adds a lot of depth to the image. The sky is also a more natural color, as the sky in the other two photos is a bit too saturated for my taste for such a tranquil scene.

The third one has potential to be my favorite but I would have to see another version from you before making that decision.

By the way, weeding is not an appropriate term in this situation. Weeding suggests removing all of the bad stuff and putting it in the trash or the compost pile. Perhaps some of the photos are better than others, but all of them are definite keepers.

[pasusan]

Thanks very much for your comments Mike and John!

John - I agree with you about the composition, that's why I'm so torn - composition, or story...

Mike - I tried your suggestions and do like the vignette. I agree it should be subtle - hopefully I've accomplished that. I can't straighten the picnic table too much in #3 because the horizon gets so noticeably crooked. See if you like this one better:

5.

[pasusan]

Mike, about the weeding...

I've always called it that when I have to choose what will and won't go into a slideshow. I do see what you mean about weeds in a garden being completely thrown away, and I'm not doing that! But, the word really works for me when I hang my head and tell folks I've got a lot of weeding to do before I put up the pics. Oh, the hard work...

[Mike Buckley]

Now that I've seen #5, that's my favorite for lots of reasons. Interesting composition (the others are a bit more ordinary). I also like the less saturated appearance of the sky now that you have made that change. Your vignette works perfectly for me because I wouldn't have known you had applied it if you hadn't mentioned it. Yet the photo has a bit more depth probably because of it. The picnic table looks level enough now; we all know that if the beach isn't level, the table won't be level.

Instead of "weeding," try "culling."

[Brownbear]

Lovely images.. The 2nd image for me for the beautiful light, and because my eyes are drawn to the bench and the beautiful trees and explore the beach beyond, followed closely by the 5th image

[ShaneS]

I think that you nailed it with #5 Susan.

Thank you for sharing you process of culling as I think that it is helpful to see different versions and read the different viewpoints.

[FootLoose]

I agree, the 5th is the better of the set.

[pasusan]

Thanks all for your help on this decision. Number 5 it is!

Number 1 was my original pick mostly because I liked the happy little cloud above the trees (anyone remember Bob Ross?).

Mike and Shane - I learned a lot from your suggestions, both about making a better story and using PP to best advantage.

And Shane - I agree that this is a fruitful exercise and I will probably use this tactic again.

[Mike Buckley]

Now convert #5 to monochrome. It would be glorious.