The surf next to the road in Hawaii: What do you think of photos like this? It was just a snapshot that I was going to crop until my son said he liked the sideview mirror in it.

Craigdca Loc: California

What do you think of photos like this? It was just a snapshot that I was going to crop until my son said he liked the sideview mirror in it.

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wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

I find it an interesting concept . The mirror give a bit of context. At it's current size to me it is a distraction along with the window frame. Perhaps if it occupied a larger portion of the image and it was cropped to a panorama it might work better.

Bill

Craigdca Loc: California

wjones8637 wrote:

I find it an interesting concept . The mirror give a bit of context. At it's current size to me it is a distraction along with the window frame. Perhaps if it occupied a larger portion of the image and it was cropped to a panorama it might work better.

Bill

Thanks for your fresh look at it and your comments. I like the new version here but it feels like it’s not quite there yet. All comments are welcome, including links to examples to learn from.

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Craigdca Loc: California

Craigdca wrote:

Thanks for your fresh look at it and your comments. I like the new version here but it feels like it’s not quite there yet. All comments are welcome, including links to examples to learn from.

Looked at this again. The edit lost the feeling of being in the car and the mirror now looks out of place. The original is definitely the shot for me.

Stephan G

Craigdca wrote:

What do you think of photos like this? It was just a snapshot that I was going to crop until my son said he liked the sideview mirror in it.

Comparing Image 1 with Image 2, Removing the door edge on the right takes away from the scene information. It acts as a vignetting frame, almost like a funnel. This gives the impression of location and movement. The rework just looks like a snapshot of the waves.

The problem with having several objects that need to be coordinated does add to the complexity of the image. For me, there has to be a balance pulled together. First is the intent of the image, second is the way the parts interact with each other, and the third being lighting. In drawing, there is the concept of vanishing points.

When it comes to landscape and seascape, the rules are meant to be broken. But at the same time, they need to be kept in mind. You may want to look up some of the articles in Art Drawing that are on YouTube. And a mass through web search. ("Vanishing Points") "Leading lines" rely a lot on "Vanishing Points".

An exercise I suggest is to get a pad of paper, some pencils, a straight ruler and go out into the world. Start looking for the Vanishing Points and on the pad just drawing the lines you pick up. Put any notation that has meaning to you. At first, it will be daunting, but the more you draw the lines, the easier it will get . Also go to an Art Museum and check out paintings, that you would like to emulate, for their vanishing points.

What I see in your original shot are the skies, the waves, the ocean, coming out from something that could be the Cornucopia of beginnings. |But, remember, you have to first satisfy an important viewer, you.)

Gauss Loc: Earth

Hi Craig, I like the image. Being a "snapshot" doesn't take away the potential of an image to made into something you can improve and enjoy.

I like the image, and to me the core part is the middle section from the line of low clouds to the thin, bright line of sand at the shoreline. I'm not implying the rest of the image useless and should be cropped, rather you figure out how to use the rest of the image to make the most out of the core. And the mirror is an extra accent to add interest. The reflection is a nice contrast, fall versus summer.

The only thing I'd likely crop for sure would be just a sliver off the bottom to remove the white line on the road. That said, in the example image here, I cropped a bit more off the bottom to remove the dark part of the reflection.

Hopefully something useful for you in this.

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Craigdca Loc: California

Stephan G wrote:

Comparing Image 1 with Image 2, Removing the door ... (show quote)

Thank you, Stephan.

Craigdca Loc: California

Gauss wrote:

Hi Craig, I like the image. Being a " i snaps... (show quote)

Thanks, Gauss.

Craigdca Loc: California

Stephan G wrote:

Comparing Image 1 with Image 2, Removing the door ... (show quote)

I found this article and can see how I can be more intentional with vanishing points as something to consider when framing the shot.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-vanishing-points-in-your-photography#5-tips-for-using-vanishing-points-in-photography

Stephan G

Craigdca wrote:

I found this article and can see how I can be more intentional with vanishing points as something to consider when framing the shot.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-vanishing-points-in-your-photography#5-tips-for-using-vanishing-points-in-photography

Good and basic points.

In more than a half century, I have learned early on that there are so many resources available. And they are not necessarily in the areas one might think. A lot of photography is basic drawing rules that some go back several thousands of years. Once you get your mind and hands around something, you discover that there is another path, and so on.

A movie to view to understand the adage about ways to skin a cat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgqXVeIPSzA

The boys are informed that they could have used the road to get to the top of the hill to deliver the piano,
The movie (whole) is "The Music Box".

peekaboo

I like the shot but one thing to me is like the waves seem to be secondary as the image in the mirrow was the main focus.