Cloud surfing - feedback please

[NickChurch]

Hi,

 

I would love to hear feedback, both good and bad about some of my shots... here is the first one

 

This was one of a series taken from a recent flight - It was taken with an Olympus CSC and lumix 20mm f.17 prime.

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

Nick

 

[Graham]

Love pictures like this. As you have asked for opinions, and this is only my opinion, I will give it.

The sun is spot on but I would like to se a bit cropped off the right to move the sun spot more towards the right 'third'. For the same reason, I would take a slice off the top to move the horizon mor towards the upper 'third'. Also, I would like to see the foreground highlights bumped up a bit to brighten the clouds a bit and enhance the shapes in them.

Cracking shot though.

[Caz]

i like it just as it is

[NickChurch]

Thanks for the comments. I messed around with various compositions, and felt that there was not enough of a 'win' to warrant the 'loss' in resolution. But I might have another play with though, but I kinda agree with Caz too.

 

With regards to the highlights, Graham, I think you are right and I have edited this so much that I have lost objectivity completely. I would prefer it to be lighter, but it is already boosted significantly from the raw and I am just about keeping on top of noise as well. What do you think on this - would it better to have brighter clouds with the expense of more artifacts?

 

thanks again - really useful

[ChrisLumix]

I generally like it .. but for me, though the blur in the lower cloud cover is just right, the upper clouds are not sharp enough?

[Graham]

What do you think on this - would it better to have brighter clouds with the expense of more artifacts?

 

thanks again - really useful

Always a tricky question. The balance between quality and aesthetics is very much a matter of opinion. I am of the school that believes that a photographer must always set out to please themselves not others.

On this picture, if editing any more would harm the quality, I would leave it as it is.

[colinb]

One of the best airplane window shots I have ever seen. Opening up the picture to full size then scrolling the picture down so the sun sits 50/50 horizontal centre makes viewing easier but I can live with it as it is now - thanks for showing.

[THELONGMAN]

Good shot Chris, I like the DOF with the big cloud formations in the foreground,

 

Geoff

[Denis]

Now that is terrific Nick..why is it that every time I fly, the windows are as dirty as ones on a rural bus in wintertime!

[kev7d]

This shot from the clouds suits me. Very nice.