Beach Pebble

[OldSchool]

(unfortunately) The detail the enlargement just cannot be adequately presented in this downsized version. I am just surprised at how tack sharp the focus is (shot at 300 mm).

I am, however, interested in your comments about the composition.

Many thanks in advance,
Tim

[Jacqui]

Firstly, is this a composite image? If not, wow, the size of the people really gives a scale to the enormous size of the rock in the background.

Secondly, regarding the composition, I think the only change I would suggest is to crop the bottom of the image, about 1/2-way or more between the large rock in the sand on the left and the small "thing" in the bottom right of the image. Other than that it's a nice image with great colors and gradations.

[Themage]

I think the shot looks great - you have all the things needed for a great shot. The image is good because you as the viewer imagine your self on the beach looking and and start by looking at small rock at bottom then move towards the water to the next rock then to the big one. The only thing i can say about the image is that i prefer not to have the people on the beach even if they give great scale to the rock.

I do see a small white dot almost at the top of the big rock on the right side. Where was this at?

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi,
The distant rock is so magnificent! The contrast of size and the compostion are so effective. A very strong image.
yoyo

[CLKunst]

Tremendous image Tim.

The scale of it is breathtaking! The composition to me seems balanced and interesting everywhere I look. I'm sure this web image does not do it justice.

Cheers!
CLK

[Overbeyond]

Hello Tim
The compositioin is great and the shot has lots of impact. Lots to look at and be impressed by; the great sea with lots of great waves, the people for scale, that huge rock plus the important foreground rock all combine wonderfully. And of course you positioned yourself perfectly to take full advantage of it all.
I'm curious now to know what a landscape format would have shown us.
Tom

[villenadecorte]

Fantastic image.
I agree about cropping the bottom portion.
What lens did you use?

[LeeIs]

1 word from me.


Amazing.

[photophorous]

Is this Haystack Rock? This is a great image! I think it would be a little better with the "thing" in the bottom right cropped out, but that's just a matter of preference. It's great regardless. I really like how you can see the cliff walls where the shoreline curves behind the rock. Very cool.

Paul

[gahspidy]

Magnificent image, Tim. i agree about cropping the small rock from the bottom, but even so, a very impactful image. Great composition.

[OldSchool]

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for the nice reviews. I was staying at a cabin above the beach for a few days, and it was always hazy due to the sea mist. I tried, but nothing looked good. Until one morning.... It was clear with a high fog.

Jacqui, this is not a composite image. It's Haystack Rock off of Cannon Beach Oregon as Paul indicated. It is commonly photographed and you can find 100s of them searching Google. The Oregon Coast is really a great place to have a camera.

I agree with your (and Rebekah, Gary, and Paul) suggestion(s) that I should crop the bottom. I try and stay full frame, but I think this image warrants it.

Mage, I agree with you about the people. I don't know them. But, in this case they help give a sense of scale. That rock is about 1/2 mile behind them.

Tom, I have a couple landscape versions, and they just didn't setup and pop like this one. I think one problem is as I went landscape, I reduced the focal length. The people became smaller (and things more hazy). I think it is the interaction of scale between the people and rock that work on this. The people are at the limit of being too small.

Rebekah, the lens is just a common Sigma 70-300 Sigma APO DG. This image was shot at 220mm with a 1/400 shutter (hand held). I picked it up new for $210 to shoot my kids sports and was glad to have it along. I've been very happy with it. I wish I had my tripod along too. But again, I continue to be amazed at the sharpness of this consumer lens. I've attached a 100% crop of the seagull on the beach behind the people. As you can see in the crop, there is a flock taking off that doesn't get into this web-downsized version. I recommend this thing to anybody on a budget.

Thanks again folks,
Tim

[buckwild]

GREAT PICTURE, I really like the way the size of the people helps show how large the rocks are, the waves also really help make it the great shot it is.
-shawn