West Pier

Took these with my kit lens in April maybe, just messing around with white balances. Only had a proper camera since Christmas but I like only shooting on Manual with no PP except straightening slightly crooked horizons (these are hand-held). I was going for dark and moody.... See what you think!



[IMG]http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/Mr_Gav/West_Pier6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/Mr_Gav/West_Pier5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/Mr_Gav/West_Pier3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/Mr_Gav/West_Pier2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/Mr_Gav/West_Pier_Blue1.jpg[/IMG]

I think a little judicious levels work and sharpening would unlock some really nice images from these shots. Was the last one on 'tungsten' WB setting? Looks very blue indeed!

Yep! The last one was indeed Tungsten, a bit extreme I think. How could I adjust the levels do you think? More or less contrast? Maybe the foreground needs brightening?

I think from the lack or responses that these images are a bit predictable and not very good?

Thanks for the feedback!

Hi Gav,

It's always nice to see photos from where I used to live. The West Pier is so often photographed - during my last flying visit to Brighton in January I found time for a trip to the beach at sunset, it was very cold and had been raining but still I had to fight for tripod space with half a dozen others. Flickr has thousands of photos of the pier. In that context I find the first two photos somewhat predictable (as I'm sure my efforts were too).

The view you have found in 3 and 4 is a bit different and for me a lot more interesting, particularly 4. I'm not keen on the dark foreground but I think a square crop dispensing with the bottom 5cm could benefit the picture.

I'm not keen on the blue look of the last or framing which bissects the pier - I think a subtler blue tone would work though.

I agree completely! The West Pier is such a beautiful thing, but as you say, it's been photographed so much it's hard to do anything original with it.

It's very handy to have another eye on your own pictures. I shall certainly give that a go. Thanks!

I look forward to seeing some more pictures of Brighton. I left before I took up photography seriously and I return very rarely, which is frustrating as there are so many wonderful opportunities.

I do love living here, why did you leave?! Well I've got some more sets on my blog that I'll post up, the feedback is invaluable. Thanks again.

I really like the fourth pic. Nice silhouettes and sky !

To move abroad, just as an adventure really. I have spent a lot of my life travelling the world for one reason or another (unfortunately pre-photography days) and settling in one place is difficult. There is no other town in the UK I would have moved to and we still have a house near Blakers Park that we can return to if we want.

Please post more, I like the look of the shots across the rail lines.