Coloured Sands

[AntZ]

This is an older shot, but I gave is a slightly different crop. I still struggled to with the foreground. I thought about cropping out the sand, but liked the bushes even less. Any thoughts?:confused:
I like the dramatic sky, but it there too much, such that the main cliff is too small in the pic?
The coloured sand cliffs are a tourist attraction the famous World Heritage Listed Fraser Island off the Queensland Coast. It is the largest sand Island in the world.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3372614884_76f675721f_o.jpg

[casil403]

For me AntZ, I think there's a bit too much sky in this shot, but I love the sand cliffs and the colours.
I dunno if that is helpful or not, but I figured I'd share. :)

[Greg_Nuspel]

I agree with the too much sky, from the title I would say the sand is your focus but you have included 50% sky that doesn't convey the idea. The sand is wonderful and that is your subject so show it off and clear out the noise.

[Gem]

Yup, I'd say to cut down on the sky. Although, it really does add a touch of the dramatic.

[JAS_Photo]

Yes, if you cut the sky quite a bit, it completey changes the focus of the picture and your emphasis becomes more on the cliffs instead of your eyes roaming up and down.

[tirediron]

+1 with the above!

[Mad Aussie]

For me I think I'd crop it more landscape. Leave the sand in for sure. I know you'll lose some of that heavy, dramatic sky but you can get that back with some creative burning.

I'd look closely at the tone/curves as well. That might help lift those dead looking greens a little. This was a good candidate for an HDR or similar trreatment.

As a rule I usually shoot landscape shots as landscape instead of portrait for a few reasons. One is most of the photos are displayed on a monitor which is ... landscape. That makes the photo more impacting right away I think.
The other reason is there is usually more to see around the scene rather than top and bottom (always exceptions to the rule though of course) and lastly, if I take it landscape then I can usually crop it portrait later if I want but it's more difficult the other way due to not catching as much scene laterally with portrait.

[AntZ]

For me I think I'd crop it more landscape. Leave the sand in for sure.

I'd look closely at the tone/curves as well. That might help lift those dead looking greens a little. This was a good candidate for an HDR or similar trreatment.

As a rule I usually shoot landscape shots as landscape instead of portrait for a few reasons. One is most of the photos are displayed on a monitor which is ... landscape.


Thanks MA and others.
How is this?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3373102137_757b11cf6c_o.jpg
I decided to crop out the foreground sand all together. I also lifted the greens in the bushes and they become more of a feature and less of a "dead" distraction. I think this is much better. Very happy that your feedback has resulted in a better photo for me.:)

The reason it was shot portrait to begin with was to capture a sign in the near forground for documentry purposes. I should also have shot the landscape too. Something to remember!

[JAS_Photo]

I just took a look at them side by side on your flickrRiver and the new one has the 'punch' lacking in the first. Good job!

[Greg_Nuspel]

Now the cliffs jump at me and say "I wonderful and don't you forget it."

[casil403]

Wow...completely different photo...those cliffs and colours jump right out at me now!
Great improvement AntZ :)

[Mad Aussie]

Better but I'd still like to see the sand at the bottom still. I guess you are a stickler for aspect ratio. Frankly though, if it's not going to print then theres not reason whatsoever not to crop it as you want.
Can the green be dodged or lightened some more?
I think this is a tricky shot to PP actually. I'd be duplicating this in several layers and then lighten and darken each layer for a specific section only on each layer and then use layer masks to blend them together.

[Chantelle]

Nice shot Antz, but you have cut the image in half, having half of it sky and half of it sand. The main subject is the colourful sand so in my opinion the sand should be taking up at least 2/3 or 3/4 of the image. :)