Tide Water Barrier

The challange was to bring out the texture of the subject with the help of

sidelighting. How did I do?

I think it may depend on what the subject is.  The textures/patterns in the sand are very nicely defined.  The wood posts are not as strongly defined simply because they are relatively far away and the photo is pretty small.  In addition, much of their surface is facing toward the light and therefore reflecting it somewhat uniformly, which reduces the side-lighting effect.  I bet if you had been closer to the wood posts, their textures and details would be much more pronounced.

Oksana, Should you care to take a peek...I have a photo that shows the same barrier & boulder that is seen in your photo. It's in my "People" folder. What are the chances that we'd photograph & post a scene from the same fairly remote stretch of beach!

You are absolutely right, John, it is the same barrier :o) Well, my passion for photography encourages me to explore locations, I guess same thing happens to you, too :o) We moved in the area about half  year ago so there is plenty to see. If you can give me tips on where to go next I will highly appreciate :o)

Thank you, Stephen, I guess I have to go back out there to shoot more! 

Oksana, I only travel to Charleston once every couple of years or so. I'm thinking you could probably give me some tips on where to shoot in the area! :) it's a beautiful area that you live in.

John, I promise to scout some nice locations and share the secret with you :o) Thank you for your support! 

Wonderful image.

No two photographers see things the same way and i though I would show you another possibility with a crop and adding a bit of selective contrast to the foreground. I never claim that my version is better it is only for a discussion point.

part of the reason why I cropped is because i found the decayed jet streams a bit distracting. The crop I believe also focuses us on the lines and textures in the foreground and the wonderfully lit wood. The person sitting at the end adds to my pleasure.

Happy New Year and I look forward to your new images.

I think Tony makes a good point here.  Looking back at it once again (this time at the photo as a whole and not just aspects of texture), the jet contrails are a bit of a problem, but of even greater "concern" is the fact that the wood beams are right in the middle of the photo.  The photo is all about texture, yet the upper half (nearly 50%) has no texture at all.  Tony's crop has not only removed many of then contrails, but it has also increased the relative proportion of area of the photo that contains texture.  It has also, IMO, made the entire photo more aesthetically pleasing.

Tony, Stephen, I understand what you are saying, but I don't see the contrail as distraction. I see them as additional pattern to the image. Removing them from the picture seems like robbing it of color as well. I don't say that you are wrong, I am just a little attached to this particular image and changing it makes me a little unhappy :o) I will have to take some time to think about it! Or go back to the location in hopes to get a different and better angle. And take a tripod with me this time!

Oksana, this is where individual differences come in, and while folks may offer comments, ultimately it's your photograph.  I have several photographs in my own portfolio that have been criticized and panned by viewers, yet I personally like them very much and, after considering the comments, have not been swayed in my views.  As one who comments, I'm not bothered at all that my suggestions might not be accepted.  In fact, I can be happy that my rejected comments might have helped the photographer understand more fully what he/she likes about his/her own photograph, and why.

Oksana - I am on the same page with Stephen!

O,

 

I love this pic!!! great shot.