Critique Welcomed Fisheye Goes To The Beach

[Keith Hollister]

A couple from this morning on the ocean side of Hilton Head Island with the always fun Rokinon 7.5mm fisheye m43 lens (on the Oly E-M5 this trip). Put it on f/8, hyper focal distance (which is approximately a ridiculous 2') and bang away. Looked out the balcony door from the condo, saw the clouds and contrails in the sky, grabbed a couple cameras and hit the beach.

 

[Pete Askew]

I like these Keith, especially the second. It is just amazing how many contrails there are in the sky these days isn't it? Mind I think they work well with the other lines in these shots.

 

[Pete Askew]

The more I look at it the more I like the second shot. I might be tempted to warp the horizon on the left straight just to emphasise the distortion on the fence even more. What do you think?

 

[Keith Hollister]

Re-publishing a tweaked version - should update shortly. I do really like the second shot the more I stare at it as well. I think it is the fact that everything looks fairly normal (the secret is keeping the horizon near the center of the frame with the FE) except for the over the top barrel distortion of the fence. It kicks up the visual contrast a notch or two.

The Rok 7.5 is the best $250 I ever spent in the last 10 years on a lens. It is wicked sharp and it is great fun at car shows

 

[Kev Pugh]

Gotta love a bit of fisheye, and like Pete like the second

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Got to get me a fish eye!

 

[Lesley Jones]

I've been thinking about a wider lens for a while and this has just about made up my mind. I really love the second image for the reasons you give Keith. It all looks fairly normal and then the distortion hits you between the eyes. I love the curve from the fence and across the contrails

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Very good!!! I loved my fisheye...the second shot is brilliant.

 

[Keith Hollister]

Thanks, Everyone. I was in a funk yesterday, hating most of what I shot. Fortunately, I was on a tear today.

 

[Pete Askew]

Happens! I get the same sometimes.

 

[Lesley Jones]

I think it's something to do with being an artist (of sorts). If it didn't happen I would be worried

 

[Glenn Clabo]

I really like the second one Keith. It presents a unique view of a classic shot.
I understand the funk thing...some days I just sit on a bench read a book.

 

[Aldous Lau]

Fish eye ain't my cup of tea at all but nice shots Keith

 

[Paul Lange]

These are great, I have never used a fisheye lens so always interesting to see how other others use them. The second is the best of the two I think but I do prefer the patterns in the sky of the first.

 

[Keith Hollister]

Thanks, Paul. I agree the second is the better composition from a traditional standpoint. The first one is interesting because of the fisheye distortion, which is fun but can quickly become a cliche. Like most visual devices, the trick is to not overuse it.