Santa Monica Pier

[PhilF]

recently went there ... c & c appreciated

[Amatuer No.9]

I like the compostition and colors yet the black area in the middle of the wheel looks odd.

[gahspidy]

I like this, Phil. The muted colors tell something about the juxtaposition of the lively happy place above being supported by what looks like a morbid scene of the dead supporting the living. . .
love the framing as well
nicely done

[draymorton]

Love this shot. It has a peculiar brand of contrast that I can't put really put my finger on.

The dock's "support system" is my favorite part. Such intense detail.

Congrats on the feature.

[daq7]

Grats on the stick me droogie.

[Photo-John]

Grats on the stick me droogie.

This is the Photo Critique forum. Please post something about what you like and what you don't like. Just saying you like a photo isn't really sufficient on this forum. Plus, by not participating more you sell yourself short. Making the effort to post a real, thoughtful critique benefits the critic as much - or even more - than the photographer. So c'mon - what do you think of the photo?

[Photo-John]

Congratulations on the Featured Photo. I posted a link to your photo on the PhotographyREVIEW.com Facebook Page

[draymorton]

Looking at it again, it has that coveted "HDR-but-not-HDR" look. The dynamic range is huge, but the stench of Photomatix is nonexistent. How did you get that look??

[armando_m]

Congrats on the sticky!

I like the color tones,
the complexity of the posts under the peer seem complemented by the complexity of the wheel.

the viewer can spend a long time looking at the details in the photo.

[Photo-John]

it has that coveted "HDR-but-not-HDR" look. The dynamic range is huge, but the stench of Photomatix is nonexistent.

Love that statement about the "stench of Photomatix"

[PhilF]

thanks guys...

I did this with Nik sharpener.. .. a plug in for Photoshop.

[Photo-John]

Since I've posted three comments on this post without a critique, I figure I'd better put up or shut up

The first two things I notice and like about this photo are the angle and the compression. I'm sure I've seen a photo shot from the end of the pier like this, but I love how you've put the hills of Santa Monica in the background. It actually looks very different from how I usually think of Santa Monica. I mean, I know there's a cliff there. But I never really think about it. And I like that feel of "hilly-ness" you've inserted into the scene. Part of that is the compression from using a long lens. Maybe you used it just for the composition. But it also sucked that background in closer to the ferris wheel and helped create that hilly feeling.

For those who only use telephotos to get a tighter shot - they also compress space, creating the impression that background and foreground objects are closer together. I actually use telephoto lenses more for that effect than for composition. I love being able to play with how close foreground and background elements (a skier and mountain peak, for instance) appear to be.

draymorton commented on the HDR look of the image. I don't know if it's HDR or not. But like him, I'm a little curious. On the other hand, I think it could use just a little more snap. I'd like to see it with just a bit more contrast in the far ends of the histogram - a bit more black and white.

You didn't give us much information on this photo besides the location. It's the Featured Photo this week so obviously people like it. So tell us more about how you shot it and why you shot it the way you did. And thanks for sharing

[PhilF]

okay... just a beginner here(3 months to be exact) ... I'll try to explain the best as I can.

Camera: Canon T1i
Lens: Tokina 100mm F/2.8
Settings: 100mm ; F/10, 1/400

Time/Location: 2 ish in the afternoon at the tip of the Santa Monica Pier

Framing/Composition:
I was drawn to the Ferris wheel, the supporting columns and the clashing waves . I decided to use portrait to emphasize the height of the ferris wheel... and kept my camera angle lower to show the different stages of building in the background....keeping the balance of sky and water.

Photoshop:
I use Nik sharpener to bring out the details in all the framing underneath the boardwalk. I also used Viveza to lighten the sky and made it more blue since during that time of the day the sun was a bit harsh.

I hope I answered all your questions.

[Amatuer No.9]

[QUOTE]okay... just a beginner here(3 months to be exact) ... I'll try to explain the best as I can.[QUOTE]
I like this post.The Framing/Composition remarks helps all beginning photographers in the learning process. The remarks also tell a story and provides a visualization that can't be captured on film..eerrr. sensors. I also visited your fickr page. I do believe you have it and look forward to more submissions. Congratulations.

[Tuna]

Hit it too tine on the grats on the stick me droogie.

Wat ya say wi drug up a bit a high to low changin?

[shootme]

I love the tones and PoV - Composition. For me it all works well together, could be interesting as a soft HDR shot with all that detail and geometric shapes. Congrats on feature.