From the Pier on an Overcast Day

[ShaneS]

Some black and white from He'eia pier on Oahu's north shore. What do you think of the compositions and the processing? The contrast and brightness were a real challenge when I processed these shots.

A mooring post with the misty Koolau's in the background:



A lone Mooring post:



Crossed ropes in the water:



Any and all C&C welcome and appreciated.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[Wavelength]

I really feel lonely and gloomy seeing these images; very well conveyed

[FootLoose]

I like the composition of the first two, Shane, and particularly like the rain drops on the water.

[IzzieK]

I like #1 best then 2. #1 because the misty background completes the shot done. I think the post could move a little to the left, just a little...only because the little mound at the end of the mountain in the background seems to distract a little bit. The composition is very nice though.

#2 is excellent as is. I still prefer #1 though...

The conversion to B/W is excellent...love them all.

[Stagecoach]

Nice work Shane.

It's No 2 that stands out for me due to the simplicity of the scene with the emphasis of the post against an almost clear background.

As for the processing it looks good to me but I'm not a B&W proficient person

Grahame

[Donald]

I think the post processing is very good. The tones are strong where they need to be.

As for composition, I'm not so keen on the first one as I think there are two distinct subjects - the mooring post and the land in the background. I feel they are too separate to be a cohesive single image. But, as for the second and third in the set - I think they're great. Well seen photo opportunities. Simple in content and context. And they work wonderfully.

[deetheturk]

Well captured Shane, B/W works very well with these images

David

[terrib]

I like #1 but was troubled by the composition. I think Donald put into words what was worrying me. I still think it is a nice image though. I am in love with #2. The simplicity, the fog/mist in the background, the subtle ripples in the reflection all make for a nice mood. Great B&W image. I might be tempted to clone out that dot just under the top rope near the post but that's a minor nit. Beautiful. #3, I like the composition of how you placed the ropes in the corners but the subject just doesn't do much for me.

[Ndukes]

For me the first 2 work really well, 1 for its atmosphere and 2 for its simplicity and texture. Nice work.

[ShaneS]

Thank you everyone! Donald put into words what I was having an issue with in the first image but like Terri I couldn't put my finger on it. I fussed over the crop on that one quite a bit so that the lines of the rope led you back to the mountains and am kicking myself that I didn't shoot that angle on site (no more room to the left on that one Izzie). I was also thinking that the symmetry between the shape of the top of the piling mirrored that of the islet at the point in the background.

Does this one work better in that regard or does it have the same issue?



The second shot is also my favorite of the set for the reasons that Grahame kindly put into words. As far as the little dot that Terri mentioned, it is a little fishing float that got caught up on the larger rope at some point. If you look really closely you will see the connected fishing line and its reflection in the water so I made the decision that it should stay. I think that at this size it is hard to see and it does look like a dot so the point is well taken.

As for number three I really liked the graphic nature of the lines and shadows that the rope made when I framed that one up. Maybe not the best stand alone shot but one that could be effective in a photo essay which is something that I have been meaning to work on for some time...

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback.

[Donald]

Does this one work better in that regard or does it have the same issue?

I've got a view, but I'd also like to read what others think first.

[Mike Buckley]

I've gotta disagree with everyone about the first one; I like that the lines lead my eye to the cleft in the land formation, nicely bringing the two elements of the photo together.

Even so, I prefer the second one because I like the simplicity of the composition. I'm a sucker for simplicity.

I also like the fourth one because the land formation provides context without interfering. I especially like the placement of the horizon (and had to mention that before someone complains about it ).

[bnnrcn]

I just want to say B&W suits the images very well . My best is #2 and I also like #1

[ShaneS]

Mike, you know me and my proclivity for centered horizons

Thanks to both you and Binnur for your comments.

Now to hear what Donald thinks of #4...