Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

The Thames above Maidenhead

George Lazarette
Posted 29/01/2012 - 02:59 Link
Critical comments only, please.

Comment Image


Thank you.

G
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
Edited by George Lazarette: 29/01/2012 - 03:05
steven9761
Posted 29/01/2012 - 05:59 Link
This is near Cookham, right?.. Lovely photo, with strong, pleasant colours, George!
mikew
Posted 29/01/2012 - 07:37 Link
Since you ask ...

My main concern is that my eye flicks from that central tree to the ripples bottom right. The secondary concerns are that the big tree is very central and hence demands the attention that should go to the boat house. You've also cropped the tree tops top left.

On the other hand the colours and clarity are delightful.

Mike
---------------------------------------------------

You can see some of my shots at my Flickr account.
Frogfish
Posted 29/01/2012 - 09:13 Link
I agree with Mikew. The first thing you notice is the top of the trees are cut off and then your eyes go to the ripples.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
aliengrove
Posted 29/01/2012 - 10:53 Link
As already mentioned, the cut-off trees, the central tree and the ripples all throw the picture off, especially the ripples. The half bronze coloured shrub/tree on the left doesn't help either.

It might be improved by cropping it to just below the reflection of the boathouse, to get rid of the ripples, but I think a square crop from the right of the central tree would probably be the best solution; the boathouse would then be more prominent, the central tree would no longer be central, and the ripples would be gone, plus the cut-off trees would be less obvious. In fact I think it would perhaps turn a bit of a jarring composition into quite a nice image, but that's just my opinion.
simonkit
Posted 29/01/2012 - 11:03 Link
Hi George,

Love the scene and the diagonals work well, agree with the other on the tree crop, it does detract slightly from the main subject

Simon
aliengrove
Posted 29/01/2012 - 11:10 Link
Something like this?

Comment Image
fritzthedog
Posted 29/01/2012 - 11:22 Link
Forgive the liberty George - for me the crop below works better. It is always a personal thing - but I don't like trees that just have the tops missing and a bit of sky - if I can not have the tops of the trees - I prefer it to look deliberate
Comment Image


If it were not for that dominating tree in the middle - a wide crop would have worked well

Comment Image


regards
Carl
No matter how many lenses I have owned - I have always needed just one more
ChrisA
Posted 29/01/2012 - 11:43 Link
The composition is a little central for my liking - in the original and all the subsequent versions.

I'd have preferred to have the treetops in shot, and hence a bit less of the river. I find the symmetry of the reflection is often less satisfying than I expect in cases like this, unless there's also some interest in the very near foreground. So emphasising it by placing the mirror plane centrally isn't as good a plan as I think.

Is this from the barge?
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
George Lazarette
Posted 29/01/2012 - 18:24 Link
Thank you, everybody.

The location is indeed near Cookham, and, as Chris surmised, the shot was taken from the barge. I was hurrying past looking for somewhere to moor for the night.

Obviously I took various pictures, including some where the boathouse was more central; one of these looked very like Aliengrove's version.

I agree with the comments re the central tree and the cropping of the treetops. However, it's difficult to do much with the central tree if one wishes to retain both the boathouse and the boats to the right. Similarly, the background trees are quite high (the land behind rises steeply), and to have included the treetops would either have meant a more square image (which I didn't want), or less water.

The central tree would have been less of a problem had it had the decency to have dark bark, but sadly, that was not the case.

Coming to the water, my plan was that this picture would present an image of utter tranquility, a place of peace. The reflections emphasise the stillness of the water, and in my view this adds to the placidity of the scene. I agree that the ripples detract from this, but I don't do cloning.

One day I think I will go back and moor up on the opposite side. On land I will be able to shoot from lower down. This will reduce the area of the water in the foreground, allowing more tree-tops, and a slightly different viewpoint might reduce the impact of the central tree.

Alternatively, I do own a chainsaw, and one can never have too much firewood. If the owner complains, I shall explain that art comes before trees.

G
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
Edited by George Lazarette: 29/01/2012 - 18:37
Hyram
Posted 29/01/2012 - 18:56 Link
George,

I have the answer - get the dinghy out and go for a leisurely row back to the same spot.

Far easier to get the composition right from a rowing boat than from a faster moving boat.

Changing topic - how is the restoration project coming along :
Hyram

Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
George Lazarette
Posted 29/01/2012 - 20:34 Link
Hyram wrote:
George,

I have the answer - get the dinghy out and go for a leisurely row back to the same spot.

Far easier to get the composition right from a rowing boat than from a faster moving boat.

Changing topic - how is the restoration project coming along :

Now that's a great idea.

It's about 37 miles, and upstream all the way.

At a leisurely pace, it should be possible to manage 2 knots against the stream; so that's about 17 hours rowing. Should be doable in a long weekend.

I wonder if you'd like to join me? As I know the river, I should probably steer, and you will have the privilege of manning the oars. It's thirsty work, so I'll provide the beer.

As for the project, my original 2 year plan has now stretched a bit. I reckon it should be complete by my 95th year.

G
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
Hyram
Posted 29/01/2012 - 21:13 Link
How about a compromise - you provide the wine and I will bring my outboard motor
Hyram

Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
ChrisA
Posted 29/01/2012 - 21:47 Link
Hyram wrote:
I will bring my outboard motor

That might be handier than you know.
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Edited by ChrisA: 29/01/2012 - 21:49
Opethian
Posted 29/01/2012 - 22:19 Link
I'm just going to support the ideas (crops) presented in the earlier threads. The photo itself is beautiful, but the upper right and lower right take out the balance of what could have been a more beautiful image.

I prefer the wide crop, but such a shame for that domineering tree.

Well done George, a very beautiful photo.

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.