Ice Breaking and Pilot Boats

[AndrewMcD]

Soliciting C&C ....particularly on the composition of the photo with the two pilot boats. I'm astonished how fast the brain numbs in 12 degree weather! Thanks for looking!
Andrew

First the pilot boats.




Next we have the Coast Guard breaking pack ice on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal at Chesapeake City, Maryland.

[Digital]

Nice light.



Bruce

[Shadowman]

The first image is fine. The second would have been more dramatic if you could have taken the shot directly head on or at an angle, actually breaking the ice.

[bnnrcn]

I like the first image,the building in the second one is distracting and makes the photo look crowded.

[Mike Buckley]

I prefer the first one for the reasons already mentioned. Consider cropping the first one at the top so the frame is just barely above the bridge.

[AndrewMcD]

The first image cropped as per Mike's suggestion.




Thank you for the comments regarding the ice breaking boat. I posted that one as sort of a benchmark for my ability to critique my own image. I am happy to say that prior to posting I could see the weak aspects of the image as you folks have mentioned; my ability to discern what makes a good image is improving! The strongest point of the image for me was the light, while not spectacular it at least is not completely flat as seems to be the case so frequently when I have camera in hand.

[Kaye Leggett]

I agree with all that has been said but think you've now cropped a little too much as you've lost the deep blue of the sky. I also want the red in the boats to be a little more vibrant.

[IzzieK]

Now that is good observation, Kaye...I have been looking at the first shot, then the second, then the first thinking I'd like to like the first one but there is something that wasn' clicking...now that you mentioned it, IT IS the colour of the boat! Thanks Kaye...Yes! I really like it with more ooommmppphhh in the red....

I agree with all that has been said but think you've now cropped a little too much as you've lost the deep blue of the sky. I also want the red in the boats to be a little more vibrant.

[bnnrcn]

I agree with Kaye...im my opinion too ,less cropping will be better:-)

[Brownbear]

I like the first image... beautifully focused and wonderful light. I also like the crop with a wee bit more blue sky.

[Mike Buckley]

I perhaps overstated the idea of the crop when I mentioned to place the frame "just barely above the top of the bridge." I agree with the others to try including a little more sky, just enough to prevent the feeling of the bridge being cramped.

[AndrewMcD]

I've been away for a long weekend and unable to reply.

With regard to the color of the boats; the color on my calibrated monitor is very close to the true color of the boats. They are significantly more orange than red. The boats were also shadowed thus reducing their tone. While the picture might have a bit more "ooommmppphhh" if the boats were a bright red I find myself, at this stage in my development as a photographer, reluctant to alter them. I'm still developing my own sense of balance between achieving the best image and being true to what I saw.

I have included a crop that is somewhere between the original and the radical chop I previously gave it. I think this may be a bit more in the spirit of Mike's suggestion to crop the top a bit.

As always, thanks for the help.

Andrew

[bnnrcn]

I think it looks perfect now

[Mike Buckley]

I think this may be a bit more in the spirit of Mike's suggestion to crop the top a bit.

Correct. In my mind, you could crop more off the top but what's in my mind is a lot less important than what is in your mind.

I like your decision to leave the color of the boats as is. That's not because of any particular ideology I have about making such changes; instead, it's because the current color works for you. It works well for me too, but, again, it's what works well for you that really matters.

[Wavelength]

Great lighting there

[Kaye Leggett]

I've been away for a long weekend and unable to reply.

With regard to the color of the boats; the color on my calibrated monitor is very close to the true color of the boats. They are significantly more orange than red. The boats were also shadowed thus reducing their tone. While the picture might have a bit more "ooommmppphhh" if the boats were a bright red I find myself, at this stage in my development as a photographer, reluctant to alter them. I'm still developing my own sense of balance between achieving the best image and being true to what I saw.

Andrew - you are right to leave it as it is - it is your photo.

[IzzieK]

I have to agree Andrew...

[Stagecoach]

Andrew,

As with many shots like these they will appeal, or not, to different people, personally I like them because I have an interest in boats and enjoy these because you have made use of the light to give the scene more impact.

My only comment would be, rotate No 1 by 0.5 degrees ACW based upon the uprights of the supports from the road to the arch

Grahame