She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

[ajsmith]

I have had a basket of shells for a while with plans to make some sort of arrangement to photograph. So tonight I laid them all out on a table outside. It was close to sunset so had to work fast (doesn't work always get in the way).

After viewing all the photos on my computer, I think they are kind of soft because I was holding the camera too close to the subject. Low light didn't help either. I am going to try again tomorrow with better light and I will place them on the ground or use a step ladder to get more height over the subject on the table. Besides that what do you think about the composition? Or anything else.

I think the star fish is too close to the center. Where would be the best location to place it or should I remove it.

C and C welcome

Sea Shells
ss: 80, f5.6, ISO: 800

[deetheturk]

Hi Ali, I like the colours and textures of the image but i think your right about the starfish!

[ShaneS]

I think that this a great little project with a lot of potential. About that starfish, I wonder if you should place it right side up possibly covering the vertical bar created by the two clam (?) shells in the lower right quadrant?

I will look forward to seeing what you come up with tomorrow

[Paniaa]

I think the starfish is great with those particular shells, try recomposing the shot at the right third

[Shadowman]

The starfish is going to grab the viewers attention wherever it is placed, so consider a composition where you feel it draws less attention; if possible.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Ali If I wanted to save this image with nice colours and textures, I would try a square frame by cropping from right and I would desaturate the red part next to the top frame.

[ajsmith]

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice. Here is the square crop. Also desaturated the reds and the overall image a bit. Will post more shells later.

[FrankMi]

Excellent!

[chauncey]

We, on this side of the pond have this craft store that I frequent for "subjects". https://www.michaels.com/
I buy shells and rocks and such with absolutely no idea as to when they might be used.
I'm hoping for ideas here.

[bnnrcn]

Crop works much better Ali One more tiny suggestion.. If you could clone the tiny white part at the lower right end of the frame, your frame would look straight. I think that small white part causes an illusion and the frame looks tilted although it is straight.