Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse

Critiques [Translate]

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• Danert (4080)
• [2009-10-30 18:24]
• [+]

Hi Joe,
Nice picture . The horizon is a little bit tilted on the left but the colors and the contrast . The bird on the upper right corner helps to fill this empty space . It also help to balance the composition .
Daniel

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• walk33a (2105)
• [2009-10-30 19:26]
• [+]

Hi Joe!

I love lighthouses. They must have gotten the idea of paint color from driving through Indiana seeing all the red barns. :)

I have another technical question. Daniel talks about the horizon. How should one level a photo, by the subject or the horizon?

TFS
Dennis

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• Sharpshooter (6922)
• [2009-10-30 21:56]
• [+]

Sorry Joe, but I have to agree with Daniel about the horizon (nothing personal). As you mentioned, the world isn't flat - But horizons generally are. I've experienced slight curves in horizons before, but have never seen or witnessed a naturally slanted/crooked horizon.

The tilt here, in my opinion, is quite distracting. I am by no means a professional, but I tend to critique photos on their overall appearance, and point out things that could do with improving, so please don't consider this to be a nit-pick :). A 1-degree tilt to the right would have it looking perfect (again, just my opinion), while also keeping the lines and dimensions of the lighthouse looking straight and level.

Anyway, the lighting looks great here, and the seagull is a real bonus. The gray cloud coverage is quite effective and seems to make the lighthouse stand out nicely. Well composed too.

Hope you don't take offense to my comment about the horizon, but that is my honest opinion. I decided that it's not quite worth deducting a point for as the technical aspects of this photo are great, but it is certainly something that could do with improving.

Kind regards,
Scott.

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• luckybry (6888)
• [2009-10-31 5:17]
• [+]

hello my buddy from the US OF A once again you have a grt lighthouse shot here excellent rule of thirds well done also realy like the gullflying into the shot well done sir have a budd on me
tfs bryan

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• werdir (3170)
• [2009-10-31 7:12]
• [+]

Hi Joe,

I like the shot, it's a nice capture of a colorful lighthouse. I think the debate about the horizon is an interesting one, and certainly nothing that anyone should get overly upset about. Horizons, particulary ones where the water stretches to infinity, are by nature level (slight curvature of the earth, but cannot be perceived by us). So, yes, to make this technically perfect, it should be level. That being said, it is easy to fix in pp, so it's not something that anyone should get into an argment about. Compositionally, and by other technical aspects, the shot is very good and well worth sharing here on TL.

Have a great weekend.

Werner

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• jpinkham (1199)
• [2009-11-01 20:10]
• [+]

Well, hi, Joe! I can affirm, too, that it's well worth the stopping by. Nice rich color here, and I think the gray sky was your friend. It offers a backdrop that shows off the light to good effect. Catching the soaring bird in the top corner, by the bye, is also a pleasing touch.

Good stuff!
Jim

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• berger33 (651)
• [2009-11-03 9:35]
• [+]

Hello,like an old duch painting.The subdued colors set the mood.Again the bird is an important addition.Regards Otto.