Druas under the moonlight (CC requested)

[Stagecoach]

Over the past couple of days I have become obsessed with these two images, revision after revision binned, a severe chastising of myself for a massive lack of discipline with my PP work and a total restart

To me the images are unique in that I have not seen others of these twin hull and outrigger craft shot at night or without modern day paraphernalia in the frame. My objective was to produce something that 'represented' their magnificence under the stars and moonlight.

For info, these were shot using only natural light, the half moon was above and slightly behind me. The images are un-cropped and I see the possibility of 3:2 and 16:9 framing.

These are what I consider the finished pictures and request critical feedback as to how I could improve them, what is wrong and why, and specifically the brightness of the images from someone that uses a monitor in controlled lighting.

No 1


No 2


Grahame

[mugge]

Grahame, the first image does not work for me because it looks like the Drua is on display on concrete. I like the second version a lot. It's stranded on a beach and it looks quite used not like in the first image where the vessel looks 'too new.' That is only my opinion.
Cheers Ole

[Shadowman]

Nice shots.

[bje07]

I like both even if on the second the boat is better lit.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame, the first image does not work for me because it looks like the Drua is on display on concrete. I like the second version a lot. It's stranded on a beach and it looks quite used not like in the first image where the vessel looks 'too new.' That is only my opinion.
Cheers Ole

Ole, unfortunately No 1 was beached on an area of cleaner sand free of old coral and crab mounds. Perhaps there is a chance I could tone down the area and add some LCE for it to work better. The boat is newer I suspect and with a name possibly associated with the recent Disney movie Moana.

[Stagecoach]

Nice shots.

Thank you John

[Stagecoach]

I like both even if on the second the boat is better lit.

Thanks Jean.

[IzzieK]

I see you had shown the second image here for another C&C. I like the lighting of this one better than the first one. I wonder if while you are editing the first one, you can move or remove the lower cloud that is there. It is a distraction if I may say so. I do not know if it will make a difference, but it might. At this time, I still prefer the second one. The lighting is much more better.

[Stagecoach]

I see you had shown the second image here for another C&C. I like the lighting of this one better than the first one. I wonder if while you are editing the first one, you can move or remove the lower cloud that is there. It is a distraction if I may say so. I do not know if it will make a difference, but it might. At this time, I still prefer the second one. The lighting is much more better.

Hi Izzie,

I had posted No 2 previously regarding the composition relative to the horizon but the general consensus was that the other boat behind the main one was a distraction and it would be a stronger image without it. This version has it cloned out carefully

As for the lower cloud in No 1, whilst it may be possible to remove it I quite like it. I'm pleased you never mentioned to remove the 'scratch' upper right

[IzzieK]

So I noticed from the last posting of yesterday. I was sort of hoping you'd clean that other one nicely but you did very well here. I like that one. As for the other scratchety cloud some can be naturally scratchety. I just thought the lower one is much too close to be a distraction. Just my thought...