Well back to the seals and as much as love photographing the seals, I just couldn't stand the weather, It was sunny but I absolutely hate windy conditions especially on the beach.
At one point I had sand stuck in the play button and had to mash at it till it worked. Anyway enough of that - I appreciate how people may dislike this image as I tried an arty approach. Fearing getting to close I had to shoot from above but in fairness it was the only way this image worked for me.
All C&C welcome !
D300
Sigma 180mm
ISO 320
1/640 @ F10
PP CS4 high pass & a little USM
Drew
Posted by Mark Fellowes on November 28, 2008 at 4:00 AM
Hi Drew
Very nice colours here and I like the pattern. Not sure if the composition works like this though - how about a square crop with the seals' heads in the corners, so that the sand and textures is more of a focal point?
Mark
Posted by Rob Fisher on November 28, 2008 at 4:02 AM
Drew,
This image doesn't quite work for me. I like the idea, and the diagonal ripples in the sand work well.
I think if you'd have been able to show both seals in full the image may have worked better.
Well done for deviating from the norm!
Rob
Posted by Cliff Young on November 28, 2008 at 4:34 AM
Drew,
Nice try but it doesn't quite work for me either. The diagonal sand patterns are good but there is something not quite right about the separation of the two seals - my eyes keep switching between them trying to "settle" on the primary subject.
Posted by Rene de Heer on November 28, 2008 at 4:51 AM
I like the colouring and exposure but the composition with "half seals" doesnt quite work for me unfortunately. Still great to see someone thinking out of the box!
Rene de Heer
Nice to see out of the box thinking, however this is not quite working for me, perhaps if you had been able to include the whole pup?
Posted by Matt Cole on November 28, 2008 at 6:26 AM
I tend to agree with the above comments. Lovely lighting and a worthy effort to compose a seal shot in a different way, but the composition doesn't quite grab me.
Matt
Posted by Major Gilbert on November 28, 2008 at 7:12 AM
Drew just feel if the lower seal had been more into the frame and at the same angle as the one above then this would have worked better along with the ripples in the sand.
Thanks for all your comments - they are much as I had expected but I am grateful for all of your inputs! I did have a look at a square crop, and to be fair i think if one of the seals were completely in the frame I may have been able to use it.
Either way it was a good experiment for my - Anyone who knows me then they'll see a lot of my work ethos is going against the norm - it's the only way I find to be creative !!!
Discussion
8 repliesAt one point I had sand stuck in the play button and had to mash at it till it worked. Anyway enough of that - I appreciate how people may dislike this image as I tried an arty approach. Fearing getting to close I had to shoot from above but in fairness it was the only way this image worked for me.
All C&C welcome !
D300
Sigma 180mm
ISO 320
1/640 @ F10
PP CS4 high pass & a little USM
Drew
Very nice colours here and I like the pattern. Not sure if the composition works like this though - how about a square crop with the seals' heads in the corners, so that the sand and textures is more of a focal point?
Mark
This image doesn't quite work for me. I like the idea, and the diagonal ripples in the sand work well.
I think if you'd have been able to show both seals in full the image may have worked better.
Well done for deviating from the norm!
Rob
Nice try but it doesn't quite work for me either. The diagonal sand patterns are good but there is something not quite right about the separation of the two seals - my eyes keep switching between them trying to "settle" on the primary subject.
Rene de Heer
Matt
Major.
Either way it was a good experiment for my - Anyone who knows me then they'll see a lot of my work ethos is going against the norm - it's the only way I find to be creative !!!
Thanks all once again,
Drew