Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction
Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.
Questions to guide your feedback
What’s your initial emotional response to this image?
What elements draw your attention first?
What’s the overall mood or atmosphere of the image?
Other Information
Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.
Image Description
I don’t know what happened, but I kept thinking of Barrett’s Privateers while working on the photograph, so that’s how the title came about. I was actually on the Eastbourne pier at the Grand Parade.
Technical Details
As I mentioned this was taken in Eastbourne, UK at the pier. We were traveling through the UK to take the ferry to Ireland from Holyhead. All I had with me was a Nikon D700 with a 50mm 1.8G and a Nikon D200 with a 35mm 1.8G DX. It had to be two cameras just in case one gave up on me. But I did not want more than one lens each so I wouldn’t have to make too many choices in the morning before we went out. And it worked. I don’t feel I have missed out on anything. And it felt good to be able to think minimalistic and not too complicated.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
- Vision and Purpose:
- Conceptual:
- Emotional Impact and Mood:
- Composition:
- Balance and Visual Weight:
- Depth and Dimension:
- Color:
- Lighting:
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- Technical:
I like this Holger. The geometry of the image appeals to me and the interesting/odd lamp posts with the missing lamp on the near one and the gull staring into the distance, create an slightly dark mood that works well with the black and white and the cloudy sky.
Thank you for taking the time to look at the photograph, Dennis. I agree, it feels a bit gloomy, though this is a lovely place and the weather in the evening could have been worse 
I’m not sure that you’re going to like my suggestions but here goes. It is a fairly compelling picture but I find it very, very static. The reason, I think, is because everything is so bullseye centred - both the bird and the horizon. The bird being centre is not so much of a problem since the gull is the true focal point of the frame. But there’s way too much sky. I know, I know, if you crop the sky you’ll lose the lovely lamp. But the lamp doesn’t matter - while it’s pretty, it is but a distraction from what the picture is about. Most times when composing, it is more about what you have the courage to leave out than what you try and fit in. So, I’ve posted a cropped version. Sure the lamp is gone but, really, so what. The two lamp posts provide a strong frame for the gull with the sky more dramatically in the background.
In a picture like this where you’re pushing the contrast you have to be aware of haloing. And there is a lot of it in this picture - both lamp posts, the bird, the railing. I have posted two versions of the same crop - the first one has all the haloing while in the second I’ve removed the haloing from the left lamp post just so you can see the difference. You can do this in Ps by creating a layer and setting it to “Darken” mode. Then use the clone brush beside the haloed area and brush in. Because it is in “darken” mode it will only fill in the haloed areas and not touch the darker parts of the image.
With Halo
Without Halo
Kerry, it is bit about whether I will like what you have to say. It is about that you took the time to look at it and respond. And that is really appreciated.
I see your point about the cropping but that is personal preference, I still want the lamp in
And the halo was an honest mistake, I just forgot.
Thanks again.
