Lake Wakatipu During a Rain Storm – Pick The Best Photo
Posted on 27 Dec 2010 | by Ben | Filed under Blog
It’s been raining here in Queenstown for the past 24 hours. And I mean absolutely bucketing down. They received 400mm in the last day in Paradise at the head of the lake. Yes, there is a place called Paradise. Google it.
Yesterday I optimistically set out to capture some of the moody shadows and mist layering the valley. But I only managed a few shots of the Earnslaw passing up the lake before I (and my gear) was drenched right through and sanity prevailed.
But the result of those few shots were pretty good. I deliberately played with under and over exposing along with the white balance to enhance the mood. I used the simple symmetry the lake and Cecil Peak provided to create some nice lines, and the heavy rain added a natural grain and aged look to the images.
Anyway I’m thinking of blowing one up and framing it, either as a gift, or for myself. But I can’t decide which is the strongest image. So I’d be keen to know what you think. Which image is the best?
smoke trail makes #3 the best
#2 is too central and thus uninteresting; not enough detail in #1.
Cheers Pedro. I tend to agree. Although I enjoy centralising a subject in some situations. Going against the ‘rules’ sometimes yield a strong composition.
I disagree. To obvious background in #3. I don’t like the waters in #1. #2 has really good background – you have to watch carefully to see. I also like how the smoke ends there. So #2 is my winner (too central? not at all here).
Third because of the dynamic of the sloped hill and it’s clash wit then smoke trail.
Agree
I think the central composition of #2 gives the Earnslaw a stronger presence. I also like the ‘denser’ trail of smoke in #2 which I think adds to that ‘darker’ feel of the whole misty atmosphere
Thanks Matto. #2 seems to have it.
Cheers Patrick, thanks for your thoughts. I think it would have been a bit stronger with the Earnslaw further to the left of frame.
Cheers Phelia, looks like #2 is going to be the winner. I really like the ‘rain trails’ too that are subtley over the image.
Found your site on Twitter…nice work. Number 3 for me!
Thanks Sandy. To be honest the split is pretty even. Might have to print them all!