A hardy Soul!!

[Dave_S]

A dry but breezy day today, and a balmy 8C , so I thought I would get out and grab some fresh air.

So, this afternoon, I headed down to the local reservoir, which is actually a 3.5 mile long flooded valley, hoping to grab a few water-bird shots .

Unfortunately, apart from one solitary coot, and a few seagulls, there weren't any to be seen.

However, I did spot this lone sailor out there so grabbed a shot of him instead, even though he was something like a half mile away from me. Sat in the car, and rested the camera on the window ledge (I must invest in a bean-bag!!).

5D3 + 400mm 5.6L. 800th sec at f/5.6, and ISO400. Taken at around 3pm with the light starting to fade.

The image is heavily zoomed and cropped, as being a long way off, the subject was quite small, even at 400mm.

Dave

[lunarbo]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Hi Dave
Good on you for going out in the chill and I hope you and the sailor weren't too frozen!

There are some folks like me who get obsessive about horizontal horizons so first I'd sort that out. I presume since you cropped heavily you've got room to do this.

Secondly, keeping in mind the fact that we want him to have space to sail into, I'd try to focus in more on the action since the background is rather boring.

And here we hit the problem. He may well have been too far away and in fading light for him to stay sharp. I can't tell from this as of course we have only 800 px to look at.

I hope this is not taken as criticism. It may end up being one of those photos that seems like a great idea at the time and then somehow you can't make it click when you get it on the screen.

[Dave_S]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

A criticism?, a constructive one, which are always welcome

You are absolutely right about the tilted horizon, it being something that I hadn't noticed, and I hold my hands-up to being guilty of a very elementary mistake.

My excuse, well having spent a great many of my younger days, with my arse in the water, racing sailing dinghies, watching this guy was very dejavu, and I didn't even think about the background.

He was so far away, that zooming in and cropping anymore during processing, might have been pushing it a bit too far, even with the FF image from the 5D3.

In the interest of correctness, here's the image rotated.

Thanks again

Dave

[lunarbo]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Definately better!

Glad you weren't upset by my comments & took them in the spirit they were offered.

Kind regards,

Bo

[Tigger]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Nice Image Dave and I agree with Bo that you've addressed a lot of it in the edit ..

If it was mine I would pull back a tad so offering the boat a bit more breathing space

[Parsen66]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Now I dont feel so sea sick Dave

I love the vibrancy of the colours but wonder if its worth desaturating the background as it adds very little with it winter drabness?

[Dave_S]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Thanks for your comments guys.

An honest opinion is always of value, unlike the often seen comments on the likes of Flickr, such as 'fantastic image' when its clearly not.

Fortunately, this forum is very different, and members here are not relucant to offer constructive critique where it is justified, but equally, praise where it is justified.

From your comments Bo, there was clearly some apprehension in offering critique, so I guess you have experienced those who can't take it.

Ian, I could pull back until the subject is lost in a large expanse of water, but I was more interested in the guy at 'full-stretch', with his feet hooked under the toe-straps.

However, from a composition point-of-view, I would agree with your comment.

Dave

[Dave_S]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Valid comment Alan, as it is very drab.

Its unfortunate that he was close to the bank, but if I had waited until he turned, onto a 'reach' or 'run', he would not have been stretched out as has to be when on a 'beat', in a strong wind like that.

Dave

[Tigger]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Ian, I could pull back until the subject is lost in a large expanse of water, but I was more interested in the guy at 'full-stretch', with his feet hooked under the toe-straps.

However, from a composition point-of-view, I would agree with your comment.

Dave

I know just what you mean Dave - and I've done the same thing trying to get right in on the action by cropping in, sadly we both lack the 600 lenses we need ;o((

[Parsen66]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Valid comment Alan, as it is very drab.

Its unfortunate that he was close to the bank, but if I had waited until he turned, onto a 'reach' or 'run', he would not have been stretched out as has to be when on a 'beat', in a strong wind like that.

Dave

I have had a play to lose the background totally. Do you mind if I post it here Dave?

[Dave_S]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Not at all, go ahead mate.

Dave

[Parsen66]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

All that open water to himself

Topper 1a edit.jpg

[Dave_S]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Indeed Alan

However, now my constructive critique

The area of water that you have 'cloned' in, to replace the original background, is in focus, whereas the limit of the original water, is beyond focus point of the shot. As such, the sharpness of the water softens down beyond the boat, but then comes back into focus from where you have added the 'cloned' section.

Good fun this to pass the time on a miserable wet day.

Dave

[Parsen66]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

Indeed Alan

However, now my constructive critique

The area of water that you have 'cloned' in, to replace the original background, is in focus, whereas the limit of the original water, is beyond focus point of the shot. As such, the sharpness of the water softens down beyond the boat, but then comes back into focus from where you have added the 'cloned' section.

Good fun this to pass the time on a miserable wet day.

Dave

Tough crowd Dave

Yes I totally agree with the areas I cloned from. To be honest it was more about honing my skills to clone around areas without crossing over into them. Having watched many videos about using the pen tool, now is the time to practice.

Its a horrid day and definitely one to spend indoors thinking and talking about photography!

I will delete both versions Dave.

[Dave_S]

Re: A hardy Soul!!

I will delete both versions Dave.

No need Alan, its all useful stuff for those that are interested in what we are all about here.

Dave