Critique Welcomed Durdle Door

[Matt Byrne]

I recently visited this wonderful locale with my Dad. The day was Foggy from Exeter to Weymouth and I was totally prepared to come home without the shot I wanted to capture. Fortunately, the weather lifted from the coast and I had a wonderful hour there. Only thing is, now I don't feel there's enough to the image to satisfy me, so your thoughts would be welcomed.



Nikon D3300 with the kit lens. I think it's the lack of definition that is bringing me down about it.

 

[Pete Askew]

I think the definition is fine from what I can see and the light and movement of the water is compelling ad would be more so if one could see it larger. For me, the thing missing is actually a bit more foreground on the left and I love that light of the waves to pick up the right hand corner and lead the eye in more. But that's me being picky. The light is gorgeous.

 

[Matt Byrne]

Picky is good! I probably fixated more on being somewhere so beautiful for the first time than I did in being meticulous. Thank you.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Yes, it's beautiful. Gorgeous colours. But I would be happier if you'd taken a step or two back. Oh, it's nearly there!

 

[Matt Byrne]

Thank you. I have a few others from there, but that was where I'd set up for that angle. Foolishly, right by the cliff edge. If nothing else, I like to be challenged to improve, so this is perfect fodder.

 

[Milan Vjestica]

Matt, we all process images according to our preferences so opinions will differ. That is what makes it so interesting. I agree with Pete that a little more on the left may improve the composition. However, it is still a good picture.

Definition, or lack of, is an interesting observation. Do you want the image to "pop" more? What software are you using to process the image? There is a charm in the soft colours of the sky that is really nice. More definition may change that.

 

[Matt Byrne]

Thank you for your thoughts. My post-processing is carried out on my iPad (Retina Display) in Snapseed, which works OK with the NEF files and offers a permanent export of the file to use online.

I would've liked more definition in the rock. The Live View screen was full of noise as I was trying to focus in close and at f22 for the exposure time. The result is a soft image when viewed full size, but this is a kit lens and I'm used to primes. The joys of building a system again.

 

[Milan Vjestica]

I processed some holiday images on an Android Tablet using Lightroom Mobile. Snapseed is pretty good. Tablet apps do lack some of the finer features though.

Could the softness be due to being at f22 with a kit lens. It may be better to stay between f5.6 and f11 which is generally the sweet spot. Primes are very nice to use and do offer better quality.

Building a system is fun. I just sold one off to fund expanding another!

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

I processed some holiday images on an Android Tablet using Lightroom Mobile. Snapseed is pretty good. Tablet apps do lack some of the finer features though.

Could the softness be due to being at f22 with a kit lens. It may be better to stay between f5.6 and f11 which is generally the sweet spot. Primes are very nice to use and do offer better quality.

Building a system is fun. I just sold one off to fund expanding another!

And I wonder what that would be I may ask Milan.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

I like it and its softness and colours. Yes a bit of foreground could enhance it. Milan is definately right about aperture 22 though.

 

[Milan Vjestica]

Ivar, can you expand on your question? I am unsure how to answer it.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

Ivar, can you expand on your question? I am unsure how to answer it.

Building a system is fun. I just sold one off to fund expanding another! Is what you said Milan and I jokingly asked, as usual; " And I wonder what that would be?" You need not answer that.

 

[Milan Vjestica]

No worries Ivar.

I see Nikon's stock value has plummeted since I sold my stock of camera and lenses.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

No worries Ivar.

I see Nikon's stock value has plummeted since I sold my stock of camera and lenses.

Sold in due time then