Looking the other way

At Ecloa State Park Friday evening while leading a tour. Let me know what you think. I don't feel this is as strong an image as much in my coastal portfolio, but I'd like to get your thoughts on what you like or don't like about this one.

Note: did not clean dust spots prior to posting
Other Note: That red thingy in the central water is a starfish, which needs to be viewed larger.

Thanks!

1Ds III, 1/4 second, polarizer.

it's a beautiful image, but I agree it doesn't pull its weight like other images you've posted. I do like the idea of looking back at the coastline, and the simplicity of the forms here work well. My biggest complaint is that the bottom third frame has very little interest in the lighting, while the rest of the image does. I wish that the FG rocks at LRC had a bit of that sunlight as well (or more).
The starfish is a nice detail as are the trees atop that hill.

I would agree with Chris' assertion on the bottom third, but overall I think this is still a strong image. The warm tones in the mid ground draw me into the scene, and the sky complements your treatment of the water well. Processing is spot on as usual.

-Bryan

While it's the height of presumption for me to tell you how to do photography, Marc, I would think dodging the foreground rocks to bring out a bit more detail would help a lot.

My eye is drawn to the spray in the center but I find it distracting.

I think Chris summed it up pretty well. If the LLHC rock weren't there, and light was able to get at the bottom, I feel it would be pretty strong. The lower right rocks lead nicely up to the starfish, wave, and then on into the hills and sky. The light just isn't there on the lower portion. Hacking a big crop off the bottom, leaving the starfish some breathing room works alright for me. It's hard to toss away that many pixels though. .02

Thanks for your opinions guys. That's what I figured, but it's good to hear it from the group.

I guess I see this a tad different Marc, gorgeous piece imo! I don't like to compare a piece of yours against another, this is strong with the wonderful warm light in mid-ground with the hints of green, nice subtle sky that compliments it, the ocean has beautiful light, and capturing that wave in mid air is a perfect touch. The fg has strength to hold this image together, the fact that you have some warm light on it, and then actually darkness, along with the flow of the water takes me into the scene. Me, i'd keep it! And I sure envy you living where you do, mountains, desert, ocean, man oh man!

Hey Marc...

This is a strong image with awesome details. The shutter speed and warmth really draw me in...but I feel as if the balance is bothering me just a bit. With all the rocks on the right and the coastline curving out towards the left...I feel like I am drawn out to the left side of the frame wanting more. Maybe what I am trying to say is that it is 'right heavy'?. Also, I feel like there is no main subject...the rocks, land, and sea seem to share equal parts in the photograph so perhaps it would work better with one of them standing out a bit more. I probably don't make much sense but I really like this one but figured I would point out a few of my minor 'nits'. The starfish is awesome! I love subtle details like that that don't immediately stand out but are discovered after viewing the photograph for a few moments.

-Khristian

This would be at the very top in most people's portfolios, but as you alluded to, you already have a body of work that far surpasses this. So? Not every shot has to be a 10. You're allowed a couple of 9.5s. But if you're still not satisfied, please transfer ownership and copyright over to me at your earliest convenience.

I wish there was a little bit more to the left side than there is presently. The majority of your images seem to contain an expansive depth,and this one ends a bit too abruptly, and I don't feel the wave is strong enough to stand alone as a central-focal point (this is entirely relative to the awesome waves you've captured in other images). Still a beautiful image, though.

I like the sky, the soft light on the land, and the wave action (except for the high spray). I don't like the large boulder overlapping the land and would like more separation here. Moving a touch more to the right (if possible) would have created the separation.

David M. Cobb