Mangrove Sanctuary

[jimsuy]

critique & comments are welcome...

[Sahil]

Interesting images, James.
Was it possible for you to take the shot from a little lower level?

[Shadowman]

Very nice images. I like the use of one setting from different angles.

[Donald]

James

These seem to tell us interesting story. What is happening? Is this like a 'nursery' where plants are reared before being planted somewhere else..

I think the third picture is the best image. The reason I say this is because:

• You have isolated your main subject(s). Our attention is taken to them. In the other two images there are, I think, too many objects competing for our attention.
  
• Your composition of the third picture is, in my opinion, much better than in the other two. Particularly, you have placed the dominant horizontal line well up the frame. In the first two, the line between water and land is at half way in the picture. This cuts the image in half and causes what psychologists would call cognitive dissonance - there is a absence of harmony and balance, which is what such images require. The third image is much more harmonious to look at.

I hope these comments are of assistance to you.

[Geoff F]

Just a thought about the first photo.

I would consider removing the bunting (flags), wire and what appears to be the handlebars of a bike from the left side of the hut.

[carregwen]

James

Good shots, but one or two minor points. In #1 the horizon is crooked. I did a quick edit to correct it and also sharpened as it looked a little soft. Unfortunately that left only a small space above the roof of the hut. I also removed the motorcycle on the left.



Shot #3 is very good. but the sky was a little blown out. I corrected using the grad tool in CS4, and sharpened a little.

[jimsuy]

thanks for the comments... i take note to that...

@carregwen,
what did you use to correct the pics? brighten the pics?

[carregwen]

@carregwen,
what did you use to correct the pics? brighten the pics?

I put them both in the CS4 RAW editor.

For #1 I lifted the dark areas using 'fill light' slider. Also reduced the blown out area of the sky with 'recovery' slider. Corrected the horizon level, and sharpened.

For #2, I used the grad tool in RAW editor to darken the sky and get some of the detail back in the clouds. It's also brought back a lot of colour in the sky.

Did you shoot these in RAW? If so, you might want to upload the RAW for shot #1 and I could have a proper go at it. Up to you, of course. Send me the link if you do it. http://uploading.com/signup/

[risingwolf]

Beautiful area. Interesting trees.

[triggerhappy]

I love it kabayan.

Mark