Tidal Art

Image Critiques Abstract Nature Critiques
1

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Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

The ebbing tide created this fascinating image in the contrasting colors of sand of a San Diego beach. As I was not intending to photograph this day, I did not have my camera with me and so made this image with my iPhone 15 Pro in automatic exposure mode. I was able to find a number of interesting compositions with this ever-changing subject as I roamed along the tide line. As is said, sometimes the best camera is the one you have with you.

Specific Feedback

Looking for your general impressions of this composition as an interesting (or not) abstract. To me it looks like four birds on a branch.

Technical Details

My iPhone tells me that this image was taken at 24mm, f/1.78, 1/2506 sec (yes you read that correctly - one frame of a burst), ISO 80.

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2 Likes
2

This is really cool, Robert. It reminds me of birds on a perch in the middle of preening.I’ve photographed formations similar to this and they’re can be very evocative. Beautifully seen, photographed and processed.

3

This is absolutely cool Robert. It is a really nice piece of art suitable for printing, framing and hanging. WOW! Great eye to see this. I’m not sure if this helps, or hinders, but I tried a slightly different crop on this. Hope you don’t mind. See below.

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4

@Dennis_Plank and @Ed_Williams thank you for your thoughtful feedback. Ed, I do like your tighter crop, particularly eliminating the distracting light edge at the bottom. I’ve got a few more of these abstracts from that day that I will work on.

5

Robert,

Oh My! This is fantastic! Sorry so late, I’ve been out of town but certainly had to comment here. Oh, and congrats on the EP! Well deserved.

I love this! Those patterns are almost other-worldly. But for sure, I too can see the birds on a wire.

The patterns are almost mesmerizing too. I see this is in color, at least I can see the browns of the sand. But this almost looks like a sepia-toned b&w. Just an observation, regardless, this is just cool!

I can see why Ed went with a crop. However, the only element I was going to suggestion removing is the horizontal sand/bar on the center bottom edge. If anything, just a little crop off the bottom, or if you’re so inclined maybe CA stamp clone, or even transforming/stretching to pull that little strep out. Very minor for sure and not an image killer. This is fantastic!

6

Many thanks, @Lon_Overacker! It’s quite remarkable what nature gives you if you just show up and look around! I know that photographing tide patterns in sand isn’t all that innovative, but I’ve seen some beautiful images, and is sure was fun to poke around the beach and see what the tide brought in, so to speak!

7

I really love images like this. It’s amazing what Mother Nature can create and then we have the opportunity to photograph it and show an audience. I love what you saw here. Not everyone would pick that up. Wonderful picture Robert. Now I am inspired to go to the beach and find more etchings.

1 Like
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Beautiful image in the Japanese style of art. Hokusai.

1 Like
9

Definitely birds! Great eye to have seen this .
Sand patterns are often really amazing.
Kudos for a fine EP!