By The Seaside

Hi Folks,

Mrs DS and I had a couple of days away at the seaside earlier this week. We stayed at a place called Châtelaillon Plage just south of La Rochelle. It's the first time I've really taken seaside and sunsets over the sea shots so I'd appreciate some comments and critiques.

To be honest, I took many, many, shots and couldn't possibly show even half of them, so here is a small fraction and a variety. I have plenty of varieties even of the types shown here.

These have just "normal" post processing (all are shot in RAW) and I intend to perform some other pp on some of them. But first things first.

All shots are taken with my K-r and 18-55mm DAL kit lens, as it's the only wide angle lens I have.

Here are some taken on Monday

#1



#2



#3



#4



And then on Tuesday

#5



#6



#7



#8



#9



#10

Very good shots too.so nice to see the sun again.

Thanks, Dave.

It really would be nice if someone could help me by doing a critique on this set of photos. I'd like to be able to improve on these types of shot but do need some experienced eyes to point out where I can improve.

Please?

I cant critique but I can tell you that #9 & 10 really work for me

Clare

I've just been trying to pick faults to give crtitique but these are very good.

The one thing I can find is that some of the horizons are not quite level but they are close and to my mind no real issue but at least it is a critique

I need to point out that it feels like I live in a glass house and have just started throwing stones though

Thank you, Clare!

Oh, and thank you, Stuey. I just saw your response.

I do believe you are right, some of the horizons are not quite level. I checked nos 1 and 2 and they were about 0.2 of a degree out, so you have a good inbuilt spirit level!

I appreciate you taking the time.

I like No. 3 and No. 10 - but I'm no where near experienced enough to give you a proper critique I'm afraid.

I've never seen so many shells on a beach before.

Thanks for that, Charlotte. Really, nobody needs to be qualified to give a critique. it's only a personal opinion after all! But if you don't feel comfortable then don't worry.

There are shells everywhere, but the big pile in #2 is actually at a jetty where the boats come up to be cleaned off at the harbour itself.

I'm quite happy to give it a go -

1) I can see what you were trying to do and I like the curve of the beach which leads the eye but there's no where for the eye to rest. It's a bit bright and there is nothing to anchor the foreground. The horizon is a bit off (I think).

2) It's nearly there just missing something though I think. May be if you'd moved slightly to the right and forward a tad and taken the picture from a lower angle to bring the shells more into view. That would have moved the post into a better position perhaps.

3) I like this one. Nice detailed foreground rocks and shells lovely exposure in the sky and pretty, well rendered clouds.

4) I can see what you were trying to do but it doesn't work for me and I'm afraid I don't really know why.

5, 6, 7) Don't do anything for me I'm afraid.

Maybe if there was more foreground it would have a bit more impact.

9) I'm not sure about this one.

10) I like the colours and the composition the DOF - I do really like this one.


Hope that helps but bear in mind I'm new to all this and obviously that's just my opinion.

Kind regards
Charlotte

Actually, Charlotte, that has been very useful for me.

Mostly, you've backed up some of my thinking, but you have helped me in a couple of other respects too.

You're not so bad at this sort of thing!

For me #10 stands head and shoulders above the others. Well balanced composition, stunning colours and a shutter speed that presents the sea nicely.

I would have been very happy to take this one. The rest ain't exactly rubbish though are they!

Good stuff.

Number 5 is my favourite.

I'd have tried to make more of the rocks or whatever it is at the end of the wall somehow, but I wasn't there so don't know what you had to contend with. I'd have also tried the same shot with a bit more going on in the sky, for my taste there is a little too much blue - maybe try in B&W?

Thanks, japers!

I have already done another version of #5 with stronger colours and a bit of work on the wall. I'm going to try different versions of most of them and a lot of others I've not put here. I'll show them a bit later and see if there is any improvement!