[Rob Barron]

This was taken at Burnham on Sea, Somerset just as the sun was going down. I had been grabbing a fair number of shots of the old lighthouse on the beach but when I saw this jogger coming along, I just waited to get the picture as without the figure it doesn't have the same impact. Anyway, hope you like it.
Cheers,
Rob

[IanHoughton]

I like it, well done. The colour of the sky is lovely. My only criticism is the slight "flare" of the sun on the beach.

[lolyton]

I'm with Ian, and alos like it, however i feel it would benefit with cropping some of the botom off!

[Dabhand16]

I'd agree with the crop of the bottom of the shot, the horizon is very close to 50/50 in the frame. Also, neither the Sun or the tower are on the third which leaves the gap in the centre just a little too big for me.

Having said that, I like the picture, I just think it could be better.

[danpen]

That is one gorgeous shot, the way the sky goes from orange to blue in the top right really does it for me, excellent colours.

I also like the fact that there's a tiny bit of light on the rooftop, seems to give the building some 3rd dimension that a pure black silhouette wouldn't.

Although cropping a bit from the bottom would put both the sun and the horizon nearer the 3rd I'm really not sure that would make for a stronger image in this case.

[Rob Barron]

Thanks all for your comments, they are much appreciated. Thanks Ian for pointing out the flare on the beach, hadn't noticed that and not difficult to get rid so will sort that bit out.

I see entirely what you mean Dab about cropping a bit of the bottom. I did try this though and didn't feel it looked as good. The reflection of the sun in the front poole gives it more foregound interest and that area, I think, is important as it gives the picture depth.

Hold up a piec of card against the bottom of the pic on the screen and see if you agree. I am more than happy for you guys to pimp this and see what alternatives you come up with. Always good to get a different eye on a picture :o)

Cheers,
Rob

[stepheno]

I like it except for the jogger's head popping up above the horizon.

[Rob Barron]

Originally Posted by stepheno

I like it except for the jogger's head popping up above the horizon.

Sorry Stephen, I am not with you. Why is that a problem? It was important to the picture that the jogger was clearly visible in the picture but why is the head being above the horizon a problem?

I'm always looking to learn about composition and this is something I haven't heard before. Do tell, I'm intrigued.

Cheers,
Rob

[stepheno]

Hi Rob - no problem, no criticism - there's no rule or anything for this just my opinion. I feel that there's nothing wrong with a horizon splitting something but in the case of a person I just think the head is the wrong spot . I think if the horizon went through his lower legs so that the majority of the body was above the horizon it would be better. This is a very rough and ready edit to illustrate -



Of course I realise you may not have been able to get that shot and this is only in the eye of the beholder

[Rob Barron]

Yup, I see what you're saying Stephen. I agree it probably would be better in an ideal world but as you say, wasn't actually possible at the time. The reason for that is I would have had to get down lower to raise the body up or get up higher and get the body below the horizon. I think the body absolutely needs to be higher as it would get lost and lose the impact if it was down low. To get it up high, the angle I'd be taking the shot at would mean the sea becomes compressed into too small a band and would lose a lof of the reflection.

Definitely something I'll think about on another occasion though so cheers for pointing it out.

Rob :o)