Critique Welcomed A Couple From Hilton Head Island

[Keith Hollister]

Got to Hilton Head today for a few days of visiting my parents and doing some photography. I will state in advance that I'm not overly enthralled with these, but I'm curious what others think.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Particularly partial two #2 - lovely graphic comp - and that sky is to die for!

 

[Brian Moore]

Keith,...I'm in agreement with, Chris. Lovely bold colors and I like how you've composed the image.

As for #1, it seems almost HDR-esque (although I believe it's not HDR).

 

[Beth Carter]

amazing light in the first, but i'd have to say #2 is my favorite as well. loving the simple, but strong comp. and bold colors.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Is that God trying to get in on the act in the first? I can't decide if the horizon is off or not - something slightly odd about it. Looks like Auld Nik Silver in action too. Nothing wrong with that, of course.

The second is simpler, more direct. Although Chris likes the sky, I think this is where a cloudless deep-blue sky would have helped keep the attention on the tower.

They are far from being bad photies, though!

 

[Keith Hollister]

Thanks for the comments. I'm warming up to the lighthouse shot.

Rob/Brian - the first one is an HDR, and I did use SEFP2 for the conversion. I chose to make the buoy light mast vertical since I though that would be more noticeable if it was off, but I too am a little uncomfortable with the horizon. I am goin to re-investigate to color version too.

I'm kicking myself for not mounting my 10 stop ND for that shot (I was already on the tripod). The ripples in the water distract from sky in my opinion. Also wondering whether going with a wide aperture to throw the foreground OOF might have been interesting (I used the 45/1.8 on the GX7).

 

[Pete Askew]

The ripples don't distract me and I find them quite complementary to the sky. I find the buoy sort of neither in nor out of the frame but of course I don't know what the whole thing looked like. Maybe re-leveling the horizon and letting the slight inward tilt of the buoy would help and glance the shaft of light. What do you think.

I like the lighthouse shot and the clouds are very nice indeed as are the strong colours. Do I dare suggest square?!

 

[Keith Hollister]

The ripples don't distract me and I find them quite complementary to the sky. I find the buoy sort of neither in nor out of the frame but of course I don't know what the whole thing looked like. Maybe re-leveling the horizon and letting the slight inward tilt of the buoy would help and glance the shaft of light. What do you think.

I like the lighthouse shot and the clouds are very nice indeed as are the strong colours. Do I dare suggest square?!

I'll give them a try - thanks for the suggestions, Pete

 

[Glenn Clabo]

Keith...close your eyes...relax...embrace the square...embrace the square...when you awake you will embrace the square.

As a contrarian...I like the first one. My screen shows a little too much noise...maybe from the HDR process...but I'm a fan on B&W skies. Everything perfectly straight doesn't bother me as much as normal humans.

 

[Keith Hollister]

Yeah - I'm going to revisit the first image today. I was pretty tired when I did them and thinking back, I didn't follow my usual procedure, so I'm sure it is noisy. Stand by for a repost later today.

 

[Keith Hollister]

OK - I embraced the square. I am still undecided. I can't shake the attraction to the asymmetry of the original framing, but the square one is certainly more traditional.

 

[Aldous Lau]

Nice shot Keith. Did u use D800 for these 2 photos?

 

[Keith Hollister]

Nice shot Keith. Did u use D800 for these 2 photos?

No - Panasonic GX7, Olympus 12mm f2.0 for the lighthouse, Oly 45mm f1/8 for the sunset.

 

[Aldous Lau]

No - Panasonic GX7, Olympus 12mm f2.0 for the lighthouse, Oly 45mm f1/8 for the sunset.

Nice red color with the Olympus 12mm