Morning photo – Looking for your thoughts

[petar]

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate some feedback on this photo I recently took. I’m curious to hear any critique, comments, or advice you might have. Should I change something? Is anything off about the composition, colors, or editing? Or maybe the photo feels boring or too simple?

Any thoughts are welcome — positive or negative.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to look and share your perspective!

 

[David Berry]

Petar…

I find the dark sky distracting. Maybe, try lightening the upper right part of the photo with a linear gradient.

… David

 

[Woodbadger]

I would crop the image so that the reflection line is halfway up the image (bring the top down) to make it more symmetrical. Then also back off on the linear gradient on the sky and water a little bit.

 

[petar]

@David Berry @Woodbadger

Thank you for your feedback. I’ll try to make the adjustments and we’ll see how the result turns out.

I would like to add regarding the image that the upper right corner has been darkened using an ND filter, specifically to draw attention away from the sky and towards the reflection. Of course, I could have only photographed the reflection and rotated it 180 degrees (upside down), but most of the audience might not fully understand or appreciate that, so I left a larger portion above it.

Otherwise, I completely agree with your comments... you are right... I will try to adjust the photo.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Petar,

A few things from me for you to consider - make of them what you will…

My first impression is this a well composed (leading lines/ reflections) and captured/ processed vibrant scene, with rich vintage-esque colours and plenty of contrasty ‘pop’ - a look I often gravitate towards. There is a great deal here for the viewer to admire and explore. Even without any changes, this is a fine image.

Comments - there appears to be a dust spot (lens/ sensor/ filter?) in the sky around a third in from the left (simply healed in post). I would generally correct the slight ‘lean in’ from the sides - often found with a wide lens (dealt with using transform in post). I also agree with other comments that a reduction in the graduated filter effect would be beneficial (the present strength possibly being more of a distraction than a guide).

Phil

 

[petar]

@PKM-UK

Thank you for the comment and the time you took. I’ve just sat down at the computer where I have the images, and I’ll try to make the changes as everyone pointed out.

Regarding the spot in the image, honestly, I only noticed it there, while I don't see any similar spots in the others. I’ll post another image in a separate thread for advice and critiques, but I don’t think I noticed any other issues with spots in the other images. The lens is almost new, about 2 months old, bought from a store... RF 24-70mm f/2.8. Maybe I accidentally touched the ND filter with my finger, but I usually clean it afterward, so I can’t really pinpoint the issue now. I’ll share some other images to see if the problem repeats.

Once again, thank you for the feedback, I’ll make the changes in Camera RAW Filter and let’s see if I’ve done them correctly.

 

[petar]

I’ve made the changes, and now I kindly ask for a little more time to check if I’ve done them correctly. If you have any further comments, please feel free to share.

Petar…

I find the dark sky distracting. Maybe, try lightening the upper right part of the photo with a linear gradient.

… David

I would crop the image so that the reflection line is halfway up the image (bring the top down) to make it more symmetrical. Then also back off on the linear gradient on the sky and water a little bit.

@PKM-UK Regarding the spot in the image, I will check it on another photo in a different thread with other comments. If the same issue appears there as well, then I’ll need to figure out the cause.

 

[Archibald]

Hi, Petar.

I agree with the comments about the dark sky. It would be best if it looked more natural. However, I quite like the other colors in the original photo. They seem weaker in the re-edit. I also like the original framing, with more sky and less water.

There are two main subjects in the photo, buildings and bridge, with roughly equal emphasis on each. That is not ideal, but I don't have a cropping solution for the picture as presented.

There is more than one way to make a photo like this, and my comments are just suggestions.

 

[petar]

Hello @Archibald and thank you for your comment and critique. I will try to get as close as I can to the original, since I didn’t save the exact colors from the first image. I applied other settings on top of them, and now I only have the most recent ones, but I will try to recreate the image with the colors from the first one in the topic.

As for the bridge with the buildings, I understand what you’re trying to say, but those bridges, of which there are a few, have a special significance for the city itself. On the other hand, the buildings visible are part of the old section of the city. These bridges connect the new and old parts of the city. I’m taking the photo from the opposite side, where the new part of the city is. There is an option to take a new photograph without the bridge, but we’ll have to see how it turns out without it.

 

[Archibald]

Hello @Archibald and thank you for your comment and critique. I will try to get as close as I can to the original, since I didn’t save the exact colors from the first image. I applied other settings on top of them, and now I only have the most recent ones, but I will try to recreate the image with the colors from the first one in the topic.

As for the bridge with the buildings, I understand what you’re trying to say, but those bridges, of which there are a few, have a special significance for the city itself. On the other hand, the buildings visible are part of the old section of the city. These bridges connect the new and old parts of the city. I’m taking the photo from the opposite side, where the new part of the city is. There is an option to take a new photograph without the bridge, but we’ll have to see how it turns out without it.

I like the bridge! Also like the buildings. The issue is composition - how should the photograph be composed for the best result. I don't have the answer, but this kind of issue is common. It is what makes photography challenging.

 

[petar]

Thank you again @Archibald for the comment... I hope I understood you better this time. In that case, should I wait for the light to be directed either only towards the bridge or only towards the buildings, to create some kind of division? Otherwise, I’m not sure how to approach it... If I understood correctly, there should be some contrast between the bridge and the buildings?

 

[Archibald]

Thank you again @Archibald for the comment... I hope I understood you better this time. In that case, should I wait for the light to be directed either only towards the bridge or only towards the buildings, to create some kind of division? Otherwise, I’m not sure how to approach it... If I understood correctly, there should be some contrast between the bridge and the buildings?

I'm at a disadvantage because I have never been to this place. But for ideas, check out Maribor.

 

[petar]

@Archibald I tried adjusting the exposure and some of the shades towards a darker red/brown tone because that’s closest to the real color of the bridge. The other images I saw from different shots used some tint that completely shifted the color towards purple, though not all of them were like that—only some.

I'm not sure if this is an improvement compared to the first shot, where I managed to change the bridge a bit and make it stand out more from the buildings. Your feedback is valid, and I'll try to take new photos this weekend without the ND filter to capture more realistic colors.

Thank you again for the feedback, I’ll try to do my best to improve it!

 

[Archibald]

Well, I think this looks very nice!

Don't forget, your own opinion is just as important as ours!

 

[petar]

@Archibald Thank you once again for taking the time and for your comment.

Honestly, I think the bridge could use a bit more adjustment, because in person it seems to have a slightly different shade—more of a dark red toward a brownish tone. As I mentioned, I’ll go to the same spot again and try to take a new photo in the morning when the light suits that place best. This time I’ll also take a tripod and photograph the bridge separately… so we’ll see how it turns out in the end.


Thanks again for the comment and the critiques—I’ll try to make it even better!

 

[Photofarmer]

is it possible to dropbox your original raw file on here and we can each have a go with out individual editing software NOT a competition and type of software doesnt actually have to be mentioned might be the start of something weekly "edit my photo to your desire"

 

[petar]

Thanks for the suggestion! However, my goal here is to get feedback on how I can improve my editing skills and what changes I can make, either with my current software or any software you think might be helpful. I’d love to hear your recommendations for tools, but I’d prefer to make the changes myself rather than having someone else do the editing. Appreciate the offer though!

 

[Photofarmer]

No problem thought you might get ideas if you see others do it. Others edit it and you might think "oh thats a good idea" then go away and replicate it yourself, crop mostly it changes image perspective

 

[petar]

I understand what you mean, and I see how seeing others' edits can give you ideas, but my main goal here is to work on my own skills and process. I appreciate the feedback and criticism on both my work and the photo itself, but I want to be the one making those changes, not having someone else do the editing for me. It’s more about me learning and improving my own editing, not just replicating someone else’s work. Thanks for understanding!

 

[Photofarmer]

is the bridge the subject or houses ive played with image done some cropping of houses and left bridge as main subject

 

[petar]

The colors of the bridge and the buildings are roughly the same, and there is no noticeable difference... it would be better if there were some contrast. I didn't notice anyone suggesting that the image be cropped.

 

[petar]

Hello again… I took new pictures as I mentioned earlier, almost from the same spot. This time, I intentionally photographed the bridge partially in shadow and partially in sunlight, so that the colors would be clearer. The first photo was taken using exposure bracketing to capture all the necessary details, and no filters were applied to it. The second and third photo were processed in Camera RAW Filter, where I used a linear gradient to make the water reflect more light and adjusted the color of the bridge to make it slightly different from the buildings.

The third photo has more changes to the buildings rather than the bridge because I tried several ways to make them stand out and look different, but the changes are barely noticeable. So, I focused on adjusting the rooftops of the buildings instead.

Please, once again, does this look good or should I make any further adjustments? Feel free to respond in brief if you’re short on time. Thanks again for taking the time to review this.

 

[Archibald]

Third one for me. It's quite nice. You have horizontal symmetry and vertical symmetry. Bare but bold sky looks good to me. Maybe a bit too blue? Don't know. Nice texture in the reflections. The color difference between the bridge and buildings works for me.

 

[MrSparks999]

The third one appears to have some strange artefacts on the bridge, and as Archibald said, i think the sky is a bit too blue. You appear to have a large dust spot on your sensor. The buildings and colours in the third are the best of the three for me.

 

[petar]

@Archibald @MrSparks999

Thank you once again for taking the time and for your comments. Please don’t hold back if you have any further feedback. I’m here to follow your advice fully and try to correct the shortcomings.

I added a bit more blue sky than necessary, but I think because it was clear, the sky was really a strong blue, even though it didn’t come out like that in the RAW photos. That’s why I added a little more blue to it myself.

As for the spot in the picture, I honestly got scared it might be something with the sensor, but it turned out to be my fingerprint on the UV filter I use as lens protection. I hope it doesn’t appear in the next shots. I particularly noticed it in these photos.

Regarding the 'artifacts' on the bridge, I honestly don’t know if you mean those up on the bridge? They are the lights for the bridge’s nighttime illumination.

To be honest, the bridge is old, which is why it’s called the 'old bridge,' and it’s made of iron that has changed color over time. No matter the lighting, I can’t fully capture the original color.

I’m not sure if there’s a rule in digital photography, but when something doesn’t come out well in color, the photo often works best in black and white.

As I mentioned earlier, I only took a close-up shot of the bridge to capture it as best as I could with its colors, which for me are very difficult to match with the buildings from the old part of the city. Once again, there are no filters applied to the photo except for the sky, to create a higher contrast and make it stand out more. I only did exposure bracketing and that's it.

 

[Photofarmer]

The third one appears to have some strange artefacts on the bridge, and as Archibald said, i think the sky is a bit too blue. You appear to have a large dust spot on your sensor. The buildings and colours in the third are the best of the three for me.

almost first thing you see is artefacts on bridge but as OP says is the lights but stands out on third one for some reason and ferris wheel id remove