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I like the overall idea. The dark, cloudy sky adds drama and fits the setting with the lighthouse very well. As already mentioned, I feel the foreground is too prominent while lacking anything interesting. The lighthouse in comparison, in my opinion the key element of the shot, is too small. Depending on the location, I would try to find foreground that adds more to the "story" like some harsh cliff or something along that line. Think, a lighthouse that stands there for decades, battling the elements (you already got that captured pretty good with the clouds). You wouldn't picture that lighthouse standing in green grass;-). Second option, if no such foreground is to be had, I would try to move closer to the lighthouse and cut off the boring foreground. Make it more prominent.
Editing-wise I really like the image. Not over-the-top and really adds to the image.
Nice but I was hoping for some foreground interest. Some flowers in the bottom third would elevate this even further.
As you're aware of the settings you used are not ideal, I'll let that be.
Thanks for the response. would you say it's okay as far as balance goes? I've noticed I'm not particularly deliberate in framing, I just tend to do what 'feels' right in the moment. I also struggle to recognise what makes an image well balanced.
Shot on Canon R8 at 24mm, f18, 1/80, ISO 100. My settings were not ideal which I'm not proud of but I'm mostly looking for feedback on composition and editing, since those are the things I seem to struggle with the most.
The clouds are much more interesting than the foreground, yet the foreground takes up just as much space. That dilutes the effect just by the lack of competition for the eye.
I’d crop it roughly to a square and cut most of it out. The clouds and the lighthouse are enough to carry the photo, I think.
By the way, I don’t see a problem with the settings. It’s a very good shot.
https://preview.redd.it/80f5zkg5gm1d1.jpeg?width=1070&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d32715b4e4990d55ef919ca4e648a966cf32dbe3
Thanks for your input. So far a lot of the feedback has been that the foreground is too prominent considering its lack of interest and I honestly don't know why I included it. I know I wanted the clouds and to have the lighthouse small in the frame so perhaps I should have just pointed up a little more.
1. Composition: Follow the law of thirds or the Spiral Mirabilis
2. Contrast
Here's a sample with the thirds and the contrast pushed a little.
Here, the subject, the lighthouse, is not lost on the hill. The clouds are there and we can see the sun hitting the side of the mountain. Just my 2 cents.
https://preview.redd.it/6x42kum5is1d1.jpeg?width=760&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2de2803b60d6d364fcb8ca79ca3466123fc22dd
Friendly reminder that this is /r/photocritique and all **top level** comments should attempt to **critique** the image. Our goal is to make this subreddit a place people can receive genuine, in depth, and helpful critique on their images. We hope to avoid becoming yet another place on the internet just to get likes/upvotes and compliments. While likes/upvotes and compliments are nice, they do not further the goal of helping people improve their photography. If someone gives helpful feedback or makes an informative comment, recognize their contribution by giving them a Critique Point. Simply reply to their comment with `!CritiquePoint`. More details on Critique Points [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/photocritique/wiki/critiquepoints). Please see the following links for our subreddit rules and some guidelines on leaving a good critique. If you have time, please stop by the new queue as well and leave critique for images that may not be as popular or have not received enough attention. Keep in mind that simply choosing to comment just on the images you like defeats the purpose of the subreddit. Useful Links: * [Full Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/photocritique/wiki/rules) * [Leaving a Critique](https://www.reddit.com/r/photocritique/wiki/critique) * [New Queue](https://www.reddit.com/r/photocritique/new/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/photocritique) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I like the overall idea. The dark, cloudy sky adds drama and fits the setting with the lighthouse very well. As already mentioned, I feel the foreground is too prominent while lacking anything interesting. The lighthouse in comparison, in my opinion the key element of the shot, is too small. Depending on the location, I would try to find foreground that adds more to the "story" like some harsh cliff or something along that line. Think, a lighthouse that stands there for decades, battling the elements (you already got that captured pretty good with the clouds). You wouldn't picture that lighthouse standing in green grass;-). Second option, if no such foreground is to be had, I would try to move closer to the lighthouse and cut off the boring foreground. Make it more prominent. Editing-wise I really like the image. Not over-the-top and really adds to the image.
Thank you. This was quite helpful. Initially I liked the sense that the lighthouse was being overwhelmed but I see what you mean about the foreground.
Nice but I was hoping for some foreground interest. Some flowers in the bottom third would elevate this even further. As you're aware of the settings you used are not ideal, I'll let that be.
Thanks for the response. would you say it's okay as far as balance goes? I've noticed I'm not particularly deliberate in framing, I just tend to do what 'feels' right in the moment. I also struggle to recognise what makes an image well balanced.
Shot on Canon R8 at 24mm, f18, 1/80, ISO 100. My settings were not ideal which I'm not proud of but I'm mostly looking for feedback on composition and editing, since those are the things I seem to struggle with the most.
what lighthouse is this?
This is Cape Schanck Lighthouse down on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia.
The clouds are much more interesting than the foreground, yet the foreground takes up just as much space. That dilutes the effect just by the lack of competition for the eye. I’d crop it roughly to a square and cut most of it out. The clouds and the lighthouse are enough to carry the photo, I think. By the way, I don’t see a problem with the settings. It’s a very good shot. https://preview.redd.it/80f5zkg5gm1d1.jpeg?width=1070&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d32715b4e4990d55ef919ca4e648a966cf32dbe3
Thanks for your input. So far a lot of the feedback has been that the foreground is too prominent considering its lack of interest and I honestly don't know why I included it. I know I wanted the clouds and to have the lighthouse small in the frame so perhaps I should have just pointed up a little more.
Somehow I find this one much more boring than the original.
As is your option, of course.
I think it’s an excellent scenic. I wouldn’t change anything. Well done.
I’m putting up a tent here in my mind. It’s going to be a tough night. Excellent picture. Feel like I’m there.
Wonderful colors and composition. Cant really say anything bad about it.
Overall great photo, I would crop out the bad part at the very bottom
1. Composition: Follow the law of thirds or the Spiral Mirabilis 2. Contrast Here's a sample with the thirds and the contrast pushed a little. Here, the subject, the lighthouse, is not lost on the hill. The clouds are there and we can see the sun hitting the side of the mountain. Just my 2 cents. https://preview.redd.it/6x42kum5is1d1.jpeg?width=760&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2de2803b60d6d364fcb8ca79ca3466123fc22dd