Dsnrphtr

Allen:
The horizon isn't quite straight. Our eyes ruthlessly detect even the tiniest horizontal and vertical misalignments and tilted horizons are a major no-no. Other than that--for me--the image falls into a "ho-hum" space somewhere between color and monochrome. Personally, I'd like see a higher contrast black and white of this photo for comparison but I'd watch the vignetting on the left hand edge which is pretty severe.

Pixie Jackie Loc: New Hampshire seacoast

Hi FishBones-- You caught this scene at the right time! The "God-beams" streaming from the skies helps to make the picture a winner. Since you asked for critiques, I might just say that it's a good picture "as is" but you MIGHT want to consider a couple of things. Whatever does not add to the image could be removed. There's something on the left side (on the water itself) that detracts a little bit. (Obviously there's something on the left that make the water different--a small island, another boat, whatever. So you might consider cloning that area so that the water looks the same and that area does not catch the eye. Also you might consider cropping a small bit from the top. And since the scene is mostly about the sky and the fishing boat, you could crop a little on the right. You want the picture to be about the boat with the sea gulls advancing into the "God-beam" area. But whatever you do, don't crop it so that the water line is smack in the middle. That's a no-no. It would cut your picture in half. And make sure that the horizon is level. You're looking for a lot of sky, and a little less ocean, since everyone knows that there's more water in front of the water that is there. I like the picture but since you asked for suggestions, I'm suggesting. Good shot, though! -- Jackie L.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

I would absolutely keep the boat. If you remove the boat, the cloud "column" will become the center of interest and there will be little to differentiate it from thousands of similar seascapes. If you want to lighten the boat, I would be careful to not over lighten it, but to me it looks right just as it is. A lighter boat on a dark sea and sky will not look natural and it will stick out like a sore thumb.

One thing you could improve is the horizon line. It looks like it might be slightly off level (very slightly high on the left edge of the photograph. It is very important on the majority of seascapes that the horizon line is level otherwise the viewer will feel like the water is flowing off the low side of the picture. If you are using Photoshop, I would run the leveling tool from the left edge to a point just preceding the point where the cloud meets the sea.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Somehow it seems out of balance. I just quickly looked at cropping 25% off the bottom; seems to me it's improved.

I suggest playing around somewhat more.

gener202002

I have to agree with others about the horizon. I didn't notice it at first, but it is definitely a little off. Adobe products have a way to easily fix that. I'm sure other programs do too. But still, all in all, it is a great picture.

BIRDPAINTER41

Sadly we all have opinions but that is not at all a bad thing. In the "art world" many critiques fall into the "I wouldn't have done it that way" category.
I believe you have achieved an excellent balance of light and contrast. The dark water at the bottom adds to the overall depth so DON'T REMOVE IT. The horizon issue is so small and even after reading all the comments about it I had trouble finding it without a grid to measure it.
It is definitely something woth reproducing for display........then you may find almost no one mentioning the horizon.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Did you sharpen the sky to get more cloud definition? On download the sky looks a bit grainy, and that's something that the printing process can aggravate. Try easing off with the sharpening and instead use a touch more Clarity. You could even throw in a bit of extra denoise for the sky. Clarity will help to give extra definition to both the clouds and the God-beams.

Two of the waves seem to have an unnaturally strong tint of green in them, and parts of the cloud cover in the dark area have an iffy pinkish cast to them (I think the problem is that pink isn't usually associated with dark skies).

I liked the comment about the 16:9 aspect ratio. The panorama-style shape helps to impart a feel of space, while the sea and sky could both be reduced to give more focus to the boat and birds.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Agree on the horizon. It was the first thing I noticed....

Otherwise, nice image—and agree on the boat as a “necessary” element.

Photocraig

But I would manage the contrast between the sun highlights and the seemingly in the shadow, main subject boat.
Love this image. And High Praise from Bob.

Fish Bones Loc: NC

I have raised the brightness of the boat but just a very little

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Nonsense.
You can "add to the over all depth" by appropriately using the adjustment tools in Photoshop. But the lower portion should be cropped out even if only to keep the water line from splitting the image in half.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Very Beautiful!

gener202002

As far as those who say, crop the lower part of the water, I would say that would simply result in a different picture, neither better nor worse. What I like about the way it is now is that the water in the lower part is a little darker than the water above and that is something that adds some perspective, and some beauty. To crop would do one thing, to not crop would do another. Either way is good. But I like the picture as is except the sinking of the horizon. When you notice that it looks like the ship is going downhill and will eventually fall off the edge of the world. but that is very minor. Another really good picture could be made out of a crop on the right side and focus on the birds on the left side of the boat. It wouldn't be better, not even as good necessarily, but it would make a nice picture in and of itself. This image has so many possibilities.

whwiden

I would keep the boat. You might consider a print on paper with a metallic finish or sheen to it if you want that look. Personally, I would print this shot on matte rag paper, maybe one with a bit of texture, like Canson aquarrelle. I would keep it color but muted--hovering on the edge of a bw.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

I like it. Well done.