[chickadee]

as using arch as a frame , due to being as close to edge without going in for a swim and the only accessible place for the shot (next time will go prepare for a nip to capture this shot)

I always have trouble with light setting due to arch ,appreciate helpful advice on this.All constructive ideas welcomed.Keeping in mind i want to be able to use the arch as a frame.

hopefully i have done this right

[bellymungo]

Increase the depth of field, or set focus nearer the spire, (chop the tree next to the people down LOL)worth a try, wait for when there is nicer light- early morning or early evening. Im new too, you need the light to be more balanced see if the light comes up from behind?

Regards

David

[Rob Barron]

Chick, can I ask something politely, please take this the way I intend it.... what is this a picture of?

Is it of the church spire? Is it of the people on the bank of the river? Is it the water and the branches and reflections? Is it the red car? (red always leaps out at you so might be worth dumbing that down!)

I see entirely what you are trying to achieve by using the arch to frame the image but I am not sure what image you are wanting to show us. None of the things I have mentioned on their own feel strong enough to make an impacting picture but maybe it's just the overall scene you like?

These are just the questions I feel are worth asking when taking shots like this. Most importantly of course is 'what image do I want my viewer to see?' Sometimes we just let them make up their own mind but other times we have something we want to show them. Overall this is a pleasant enough image but doesn't hold my attention much. Obviously if you know and love this place, if it's a place you enjoyed picnics as a child, it will mean so much more to you. But for anyone else, this is a few guys near a river with the spir of a church in the background.

The one thing I would say technically is you should not have cropped the top edge of the arch. If it is there to be a frame, we need all of it or at least if you only intend to use some of it as a partial frame, don't let it look like you just cropped a bit too close. Make it look like you meant that to happen if you see what I mean.

Hope that doesn't sound too harsh, I am just offering the thoughts as I see them and hope my comments are of some help for a future shot.

Cheers,
Rob

[chickadee]

Originally Posted by bellymungo

Increase the depth of field, or set focus nearer the spire, (chop the tree next to the people down LOL)worth a try, wait for when there is nicer light- early morning or early evening. Im new too, you need the light to be more balanced see if the light comes up from behind?

Regards

David

thanks David , definately agree with you regarding light. Unfortunately ,not much we could do about that one , but we are going back for that reason ,so we can capture different times of day and lightening

cheers and thanks for your comments

[chickadee]

Rob firstly hope you had a good time away , good to have you back and I dont feel your been harsh ,I appreciate all the constructive advice and your opinion.

With the shot I didnt crop any from top of arch, next time will be getting all of arch top ( my fault as shouldnt rely on image on back of camera ,if didnt look that bad at top then)
I was aiming for overall scene , I just like the look of the bit of the church at top of scene , as well as the river and wanted the arch to frame, Unfortunately that was the least crowded time,.
thanks for tip about red car , will be paying heaps more attention of whats in sight.
Think next time will take from in the water on same side as accessable and no chance of camera going for a swim.
you have also made me think of what may look more appealing , personally i like church spire as well as river or maybe should zoom in more .Thanks Rob i definately needed to hear what you are saying , and concentrate on if not ome point but take few different type shots and then see which is more appealing,
once again appreciate your comments.
cheers

[Markulous]

For a slightly different view (whilst almost keeping to your brief of keeping the arch frame!)



Still retaining an interesting shape from the arch (and maybe not so obvious a comp?) and there's now a "direction": across water, passing the people (even the car!) and up to spire.

Sky is a little bright - be worth exposing to that so the result is not quite so washed out

[chickadee]

thanks markulous gives a different look again. Have spent the whole day trying to pinpoint what is so defferent from this shot to past others ,some not that long ago.Its the bushes in foreground have never been that bushy normally you get more of church in shot...so will be coming up with another position and try different angles and times when taking shot ,Once again thanks to all constuctive comments ,as its the only way a person going to learn and increase skills is by practice and different ideas and tips .Once again muchly appreciated

[skipper954]

Mark - I admire your artistry to see that image lurking in the original. It indeed does make a huge difference and creates interest. Good job.

skip

[chickadee]

have placed photos in folders , didnt realise would loose pics from forums have replaced some ,