Looking for critiques( On Re-Edit)

This is one that I have been trying to make something out of for a while now. The sunrise was just so amazing, but I have been having a hard time getting the shot to gel. Should I keep it, or just move on. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Chip
Canon 5D
Canon 16-35 f2.8L II
iso50, 19mm, f18, 6 sec, two exposure blend, by hand, in Photoshop

Really works for me !! I love the "cauldron" kind of rocks and surf motion you found. That sky is stunning. Only thing that I'm not sure of is where the redish sky and surf meet on the Right 1/2 of the image seems a bit abrupt but I can't tell this from a small image. Printed large is really the only way to tell if that is a natural transition.

Sweet !!

Thanks John. The light line is a wave crashing in the distance. The surf was huge that morning. I tried burning them down a bit. If you look hard, you can see a bunch of waves cresting in the distance-Kind of hard to see at this size though.

Look at those clouds! Very nicely composed for me, and exposed. Love the surf, rocks and sky. Cliff

Personally Chip this is a keeper. I really like it, the sky could not be more amazing and the exposure time for the water is right on. I do see what John mentions about the sky meeting the surf but honestly that does not bother me. I guess because I have had the same situation in a recent image and the other points were strong enough that it was still a keeper in my book. Same goes here!

Wow Chip this is wonderful! I'm loving that sky and the churn in the water is well captured!!

Just enough to keep the eye roving.....not enough to be overly busy. Great contrast between sky and sea. John already mentioned the lack of definition between the two. Great image with very very little to fault.

Roman

With a sky as ridiculous as that, the clouds should be the focal point of the image. I feel the composition is trying too much to draw the attention away from the clouds and to the water, which just doesn't hold my attention. The transition from the water to the sky, as previously pointed out, feels very forced to me too. I'd be extremely hard pressed to chuck a shot from a sunrise like that, but I think I'd have to lean towards tossing it (assuming this isn't the only one you got).

Chip: I remember this one from NPN, where you were having troubles with the processing. Man, do I ever feel your pain!

Like the others, I think this image has far too much potential to deep-six. Beyond the processing issues, which you seem to have worked through, the somewhat restful sea sort of doesn't fit with those hot tones in the incredible sky. Somehow I doubt if the average viewer will have that reaction, and will be only very impressed, but of course our group has seen so much of this we have a more critical eye. I tried playing around with cropping and I don't feel that is a good solution - keep that wonderful seascape. Nope, if it were my image I would search my imagination for a title that references the yin-yang of the seascape-sky; you know, sort of recognize it in the title and use it to advantage. After all, it is what nature gave you in the scene.

Thanks guys.
I don't know how well I can change these particular things. I had a long shutter speed to work with (6sec.) because the light was very soft and indirect. This is the comp I came up with, and the pink only lasted for a min. or two so it's all I got. I do have some other fgnd exposures with less interest in the water.....and I can make the fgnd transition darker. I tried to center the comp around the sky, including mostly sky, and the bottom third fgnd. Maybe I'll try working some of these ideas into a new edit today. Check back. I really appreciate the comments. Chip

Something like this?

Wow, Chip, I wish I had this dilemma (I haven't been out for months). I really like the rocks in your second comp, but really it's the sky's colors that make the top one stand out. Some have said that it looks forced with the striking colors, but people (not here) have also said that Marc Adamus' shots are too saturated, too (but I like it just fine). For the casual observer, I think they would be all over either one - as long as the sky color is closer to the top one.

Kevin

I really like the first one.....

its hard to tell on this web version but how does the horizon line look if you were to print it big.....to me it looks like there might be some PS issues right on the horizon line....if not, then I would say keep it and print it big!!!! Beautiful shot!!!! Just remember the smallest mistakes will show the larger you print it!

I also prefer the 1st shot. I like the saturation and the ethereal water. The second is too bland for my taste and the water doesn't have the impact of the 1st. Unlike many others, the horizon isn't an issue for me. You've done a nice job pulling out the strengths of this image. Leave it as is.

I think I like the version at the top of the page better than the second. It has a "story" feel to it . . . an almost other-worldly impression. For me, there's a grouping of strongly emotive elements working together that gives a somewhat moody feel to the scene.

While this may not speak to the technical elements of making the image "happen", I think that there's a lot of promise in it.

Chip, go with the 1st one is my vote. The 2nd is not vibrant enough for me after seeing the first. The "issues" people have been talking about are small and I will bet everyone outside of photographers will not care. We should always try to do better and that is why we post here to comb over each others work and provide feedback. Yet that should not stop a piece form going on display that may be a great in every other way.

Remember I mentioned that I had one that I posted on ESS in Jan, not sure if you remember it, it was called Silk Dreams with the green moss on the beach. It had minor issues with the transition from sky to water. Well, regardless it was good still to me and it went to a juried comp last month with mixed photos from weddings to landscapes (all from pros) and it scored the 3rd highest score from about 160 images. Just food for thought since I would hate to see you not keep and display something like this, IMO!

Thanks for the feedback! It's very appreciated as always. Here is a post with some more vibrance. What do you think about this (Then I think I am done......I might be getting a bit obsessive about this one, he he)