[cali92rs]

I posted these in the K-30 section, but I would like a critique...what do you guys think?
These are a blending of 3 exposures (-2, 0, +2 EV).

[jford]

OK, please understand that I'm not expert, have no creditials as a photographer or artists, and am just expressing opinions.
Your composites are good, but your compositions both suffer from having too much foreground to make let the sky be the main element of the picture, or too much sky to let the foreground carry the image.
Probably it's just me, but for example, in the first image, you have those interestingly colored vessels on the beach, arranged in a nice pattern - but you also have a fairly attractive pattern of clouds in evening sky.. The two fight for my eye, so to speak. Similar problem in the lower image, IMO.
Again, just my opinion. Take with many, many grains of salt. Great composites - would never have guessed.

[cali92rs]

OK, please understand that I'm not expert, have no creditials as a photographer or artists, and am just expressing opinions.
Your composites are good, but your compositions both suffer from having too much foreground to make let the sky be the main element of the picture, or too much sky to let the foreground carry the image.
Probably it's just me, but for example, in the first image, you have those interestingly colored vessels on the beach, arranged in a nice pattern - but you also have a fairly attractive pattern of clouds in evening sky.. The two fight for my eye, so to speak. Similar problem in the lower image, IMO.
Again, just my opinion. Take with many, many grains of salt. Great composites - would never have guessed.

I honestly think you have a great point. ..I didn't know how to balance the sky and foreground because I liked both. In the end it probably would be better as two separate pics.

[Gregory_51]

Hi
I like the first shot. Interesting and colorful. The framing is OK I think. I'm not disturbed by the sky. The subject in my opinion are the boats that are on the shore and there is a lake and a nice sky in the background. If you find the elements compete too much since the boats are the subject change the tones between the two to bring out the boat more against the sky. If you lighten the boats a bit and darken the background it will draw the eye more towards the boats and reduce the competition between the two elements. I did a quick edit to show what I mean. You would have to find the balance you liked best. alternate edit of photo by cali92rs | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Cheers
Greg

[Gregory_51]

Hi again
Regarding the second shot. The composition is OK but not that compelling. The foreground posts, gravel and weeds are too visually interesting. If there were a figure fishing or something along the line of posts it would add some interest to it. The blending looks natural and not overdone. The only thing is the sun's reflection seems to be somewhat over saturated and there is a bit of a halo at the sides of the left hand post. Since the right hand lower side is kind of empty space without too much interest perhaps a different crop would help. Did an edit to show these points but can't get a satisfactory result with a screen capture but gives you the idea.
alternative edit of photo by cali92rs | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Just my 2 cents.
Cheers
Greg

[cali92rs]

Greg thanks for taking the time to do that
Very constructive and useful criticism.

[Miguel]

I think the first shot is better and is quite pleasant. The colors seem to be more of an HDR instead of an exposure blend, but perhaps that's just me. The preceding criticisms are insightful. My additional comment of the first shot would be that it would have looked more whole and less random if the three grey kayaks would have been eliminated from the frame. I'd also crop in from the left 5%.

The second shot suffers from artifacted reflections of the sun on the water in the left side and that alone would have made me toss it in the bin.

M