Daylight Fading

All thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated! Thanks for viewing

my work!

Ok...where are my comments?!?! I don't think I've EVER posted a shot without a SINGLE comment! If someone stops by and feels kind hearted enough to leave a comment, I'd love to know what I should consider doing post processing this image. My B&W shots always seem to be less dramatic and have inferior shades compared to many others on photo.net. I don't know if it's that I'm picking bad lighting, not using a filter, or what. I'm guessing it's post processing because I've shot a ton of B&W in various conditions and can't say I've ever produced the same dramatic effects and range of tones as many people I've seen on this site. Any help or general comments are greatly appreciated!

I like the shot, the things I would change: straighten the horizon, minor edge crop, lighten it up a bit. IMO only, here is how I see it.

Tom--Thanks for the critique and example. I have widely (and closely) bracketed exposures for this shot so I'll have to look back at the next step up in exposure. I seem to remember I liked the sky in the darker version, although in your edit it doesn't seem to lose much (ie-I'm either remembering incorrectly what the next frame up looked like or else you made a better shot by lightening a darker exposure). Regardless, I appreciate your suggestion and really like what you did to the shot! You are right, having some more shadow detail (particularly in the front of the boat) helps the shot. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to add your input--you are definitely one of my "most valued" opinions on photo.net!

Tyler, aside from the tilt, you nailed the exposure for maximum dramatic effect. the single bare light on the boat really makes this work. the sweeping sky is good too. i like the way the light falls on the water differently where the water is still and where the current is running. i must say this blows my shrimper shot out the water ;-) pun intended. hope things have been going well with you. I've been inactive on PN for a while to charge my objective batteries. take care my friend. J.K.

JK--Thanks again. I never noticed the light on the water in different spots. Well, I should say I never thought about it--I guess I glanced over it and thought it looked nice but never took notice of how the current changed the lighting but you are right, I think it is an asset. I do like the single light on this boat and love how the shot speaks "night" while still have detail. The thing I was struggling with was the balance between how bright to let the light illuminate the boat, especially the front of the boat. This is one of those shots that didn't work well in color but turns out decently in B&W. The sunset colors were fading and the light made the white shrimp boat appear green (I could probably white balance that...but it's the only spot so I assume it would be tough) however it came out just fine in B&W. Thanks again for the comments...as with Tom, you are one of my most valued opinions so I always love to hear from you and value your input!