Hello, have a good day!

I took this photo in the city where I live. It is a cement ship. As the water went down, he discovered the upper part.

I took the photo in long exposure to look for the silk effect of the water.

I would like to know what would be missing from the photo in order to be accepted. Maybe the composition is not very good or the quality of the photo?

Could I do something to improve it?

Focal length: 29mm Canon 18-55mm

Aperture: f11

Shutter speed: 124 seconds

ISO:1 100

Thank you!

Walter,

Thanks for submitting this to Critique. Thanks also for submitting the exposure data as it is useful in evaluating the image and serves as a learning tool for others.

Technically I see no flaws. Personally, I would have gone for a longer exposure time somewhere in the 4 to 5 minute range to give the clouds a completely streaky effect. This is more of comment than critique as to best long exposure effect is more of a personal preference and everyone has different tastes.

In terms of post-processing I think more contrast  and a full dynamic would all some punch to the image. I also see that the histogram is heavy on the right side. More contrast and "black" would help.

Compositionally, I have two comments. First the horizon is nearly centered. I would recommend a 16:9 aspect ratio cropping of some of the sky. This would raise the horizon line and give a more pleasing composition. 

The biggest issue is that the image lacks context and drama. It is simply about the ship. There is nothing else to provide context or to play off the ship to add drama. It therefore doesn't hold our eye very long.

Here is a crazy idea. You may want to try a composite photo the with a long exposure for the ship and water and a "normal" exposure" for the sky and some dramatic processing for the clouds. This might add some interest and drama to the image. I know this contradicts my earlier comment about a longer exposure for the sky but some times to much LE smoothing doesn't work. The composite LR/normal suggestion may not work either but it my stimulate other possibilities.

I don't know what the entire scene was but if you have a show with some land in the background that may not work or you may not have been able to frame it.

I hope this helps and gives you something to consider. These are just my personal opinions and as the photographyer it is only your opinion that matters.

Best wishes,

Mike S. - Senior Critic

Hello Mike, thank you very much for your return.

Sorry, my English is not very good.

Regarding the greater contrast, well I did not want something that takes away the softness of the water and the atmosphere. Rather, I was looking for a "soft" rather than dramatic atmosphere. Still, I'm going to try this suggestion, I find it very interesting.

Regarding the composition, I agree with his point of view, it is like the ship is very below the photo and is lost. I'm going to try to use the rule of thirds and keep the horizon up. Thank you very much for this suggestion.

Again, very grateful for your return.

Best regards!

Walter

I upload an alternative with 16: 9 and trying to respect the rule of thirds.

I also add the same option above in 16: 9 but more dramatic, with more contrast.