St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

chantel has volunteered their WPC 1414 - Clouds entry to the Photo Critique & Analysis Forum* to find out what they could have done to make it better. Be nice, but be honest as this will help everyone with their craft. Thank you chantel and thank you everyone!

From WPC 1414 - Clouds RESULTS http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest_ratings.jsp?pcnum=112

* If you are new to the Photo Critique & Analysis Forum please read the Section Rules http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-159520-1.html

Clouds over the skyline of downtown Toronto during sunset

(Download)

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

From where this image was captured one thing that could have made it better would have been to wait for more color and to bring the foreground up a little more so that it is not merely a fringe along the bottom. This would have required a slightly wider zoom setting to keep the top of the clouds in the frame.

A smaller aperture (f/8) should have made the skyline sharper. You would have needed a lower shutter speed (1/40 sec) but you should be on a tripod anyhow.

Aside from the image itself, it may be time to get the sensor cleaned. There are some spots that can be easily fixed in post processing but they will always be there and visible in smooth areas like skies and clouds.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

It's not an interchangeable lens camera, it's a super zoom so I guess it is sucking in dust. Cleaning wouldn't be as trivial as it is with a DSLR.

Nightski

I think you've done a nice job of capturing the color in this image. I have 2 issues with it.

Composition: The cityscape is cut in half, and the cloud to the left is cut in half.

Exposure: I wish the cityscape was in complete black silhouette.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I like big sky pictures and this one has the potential of being better. The sky is dramatic and the silhouetted buildings are a strong counterpoint. Here are my preferences.

1.) Less cropping. That cloud in the center seems to be bumping against the top margin and needs more room to grow. The bottom of the buildings are a little too cut off for me and seem as if they are an afterthought. They need more foundation.

2.) The visual arts are about what to include and what to exclude. The cranes can go.

3.) Like Nightski, I agree the silhouettes can be darker.

4.) I would work the sky (saturation, vibrance, clarity, contrast) to make it more dramatic if possible. However, I would retain its realism and not push it to the garish extremes seen so often in these posts.

5.) I would like the buildings to be sharper. Post-processing may help but you might also increase it in the camera. People say that the sharpest aperture is two stops down from the maximum opening. Do not worry about depth of field because the nearest buildings are still at infinity. If possible, use a tripod and stick to a low ISO for lowest noise and best colors.

6.) Practice, shoot, practice, shoot....

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

From WPC 1414 - Clouds RESULTS http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest_ratings.jsp?pcnum=112

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"Different strokes...."
I perceive a possible philosophical intent in this image:

The enduring Nebulosphere has overseen all below since the Earth's rocks were liquid and, soft and vapororous though it be, it endures.

The Metropolisphere is but a brief, transient stage in Earth's surface topology, hence the former can be rightly argued to take the balance of import in the image.

Perspectives and perception can, indeed, vary! I don't doubt there be others!

Dave in SD

chantel

Thanks for your comment..

chantel

Thanks for the helpful comments.. The common themes are cropping and the foreground. I took many shoots in that evening. Will look for another one with less or no cropping and do some post possessing to improve skyline as suggested.