WHAT CAN I DO WITH A GRAY SKY??
Here’s a tip I’ve learned and it seems to work pretty well for me:
If you find yourself on a photo shoot where the weather is something less than perfect, try going to a monotone image. I found myself shooting the Point Vicente Lighthouse in Palos Verdes, California, this past weekend on a day when the marine layer simply refused to roll off the coast. The skies created a grayish, lackluster backdrop robbing every image from the vibrant color I was hoping to shoot. Even though it seemed I had wasted my time on this day, I refused to move on without experimenting a bit. Through that experimentation, I discovered by removing all the color the gray skies were no longer detracting from the scene.
However, finding a degree of satisfaction in the sepia-toned images led me to a different problem. Which image did I prefer?
This is where you come in again! (I really love this joint venture we’re experiencing!)
Do you prefer “A” or “B”. “A” being the first image, while “B” is the last image.
Please cast your vote below and I’ll share the results tomorrow.
I hope you’ll drop me a quick comment to share your reasoning as to your choice.
PS…Is it gray or grey?? Now, there’s a question for the ages.
🙂
Photographyfree4all's Blog 
This was a tough choice – I liked them both! For me, the scales were tipped slightly towards “B”, because it reminded me of something out of a dream or a movie. I like the feeling it gives of standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out over the water. I’ve always spelled it “gray”, just because of personal preference! I believe “grey” is the UK spelling.
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I like A
Something about the framing of the grass just makes it work for me.
Good photos.
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The B photo in my opinion more complete. There is a sense of the place, with the sea in it. And the dark tones are really good.
Photo A is good as well but I think more idoneous in a serie where ohters image show the place.
robert
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Will you share the originals?
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Both images are great, not sure I can choose one as being better than the other. Nice work and great tip.
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Both are good shots. I personally just prefer the more open composition in this case. There are definitely times I like the tight composition and more intimate perspective as in the first image, but for some reason in this scenario I am more constantly drawn to the wide shot. It has this story element to it. You see just enough of that white water breaking on the rocks to give the feeling of movement and life. You have contrast not only in color but in form between the cliff and the ocean. My eye is constantly searching to see what else is going on beyond the obvious, which in my mind is asking me to create a story, I feel as if this would the illustration for a story in which there is a child perhaps, sitting at the base of the lighthouse looking out, waiting for someone, maybe his father to come back from sea. Looking out with anticipation and wonder and hope. The only audible things being the water crashing and the thoughts in his head.
That’s my 4 cents 🙂
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This was the first shot I edited, mark. That usually means at first thought, I liked it best of all the shots. However, I do often find a different perspective to be to my liking as well. It’s a tough choice for me.
🙂
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I may do that, Dawn. I could post them with the winner tomorrow. So glad you dropped by!!
🙂
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Thanks, Brett. I have to agree with you – it’s been tough for me to choose, too! Thanks for stopping by!
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Great comment, Robert! And, thank you for such kind words! Glad you stopped by.
🙂
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Thanks, Holly! I have always been confused about the spelling of grey/gray!! I just thought I’d throw it out there.
🙂
I can see you thought process behind your choice. Thanks for sharing that. I love knowing what you’re thinking – but, it’s also great to know “why” your seeing it that way! Great job!
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Great, great comment Tim!!
I love the fact that you sharwed so much detail of your reasoning. That really helps me to learn how someone else is perceiving my work.
Thanks for stopping by!
🙂
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I definitely prefer B!!! Because here you can see the surroundings of the main object. I think the vegetation in the foreground in A is disturbing the image. Have a nice day, Steve 🙂
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Ah, my friend Truels! It’s good to see you today. I was drawn to A first – I thought the vegetation forced your attention immediately to the focal point, which is the lighthouse! I love that photography offers so many variances!! How boring would it be if we all liked the same thing!?? 🙂
But, I have to say that eventually I was drawn to B as a more attractive option…for me. But, I could be happy with A.
I hope you are well, my friend! I love that you are as honest as the day is long! Keep feeding us that honest assessment, Truels! It means a lot to me!
🙂
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