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Comments, ratings appreciated on maritime shot--I tried a fairly

high-key rendering of this familiar type of photo.

My two cents worth- I think the high-key approach would work better on a more exotic subject.

 

One thing I notice is that the high-key lighting appears to be added on top of the photo, not using lighting in the photo (IE, it's brighter/whiter at the edges). So it looks like an intense light source at the ship in the background. Only, the shadow on the boat is to the left of it, which doesn't match this perceived light source.

Stephen, the light source is to the left and back. The dark areas you refer to at the left of each boat are as follows: front boat, the wake from the boat, and the large freighter has a small river pilot boat to the left. Thanks for your comments.

Veru technical shot. Did u overexpose it for the desired result. How did u do the meter reading? A very nice and unique photo.

I like the effect, but wish it was maintained throughout. I'd rather the dark 'snout' blended in with the rest of the image.

I shot this scene with five different exposure and decided to go with the most overexposed and then tinker with it some in PS.

 

Carl, when I posted these (also the color version) I didn't notice how dark the front of the boat is. I'm going to go back and try to re-do this in PS. It's funny how something this glaring could escape my notice--maybe drinking wine and editing photos don't go so well together!

Robert, I get that all the time. I try to leave a shot that I think is ready to upload then come back to it. I like the subject and composition here but I'm not convinced about the high key thing. But maybe that is because it so often gets used for portraits and you are re-educating us.

Colin, thanks for your kind comment. "Re-educate" is pretty kind. Perhaps a more realistic critique: failed attempt at a faux, late 19th century, semi-pictorialist faded photo rendered in an easily imitated high-key style better suited for portraiture is a better way of looking at it. I have a nagging suspicion that this approach may be a bit precious.

 

My solution: I'm going to do a series of about 10, then decide.

 

Thanks again for dropping in. I enjoy both your comments and photos.

I had to laugh at your multiple modifier description of utter failure . . . and that the solution is to do ten more!

 

But I don't think it's a failure, and doing a series is often the best way to determine if the idea has sustaining power.

 

Go for it! We'll be sure to let you know how you're doing. ;-)