Half Conceals, Half Disclosesby
LadeeMComment: From the critique club:
Greetings:
This scene presented you with many possibilities. Here you have a very interesting sky as a backdrop. The first problem to resolve is finding an advantageous composition to bring strength to the silhoutte. The second item that needs attention is capturing the sky so that it will proudly display our subject. You shot this at 1/400 4.5. Well, to give the sky its due and the image an immediate boost, we want to close the aperture to about at least f8. F11 is even better. However f8 then at 1/100. This will at once give you more definition requiring less sharpenning. Less sharpenning means less halo, note how it outlines the entire ground and up and down the pole etc. This increase in dof is sometimes put aside to favor the main subject and negate or blur the background. In this case, since the flag pole is a simple subject you need a deeper dof.
While the sky is nice it lacks definition and this is where the closer aperture will help.
The most important consideration is the composition. Confronted with such a subject here is what I do: I begin as you did and then place the pole on the far left. No need to do a far right because the wind is blowing in that direction and would take the eye out of the picture because the flag will be waving against the edge. I then would proceed to close in on the pole and do several takes. Then I look at my proofs and slowly decide the best unless one particular image wins me at once.
Now, once the image is captured and ready we enter post processing. Since my flagpole and flag are silhoutted, the weight or stength of the image will rest on the sky. This means I favor the sky for all adjustments. I want enough contrast to bring out its beauty.
You are on the right track for you are searching. My advise is that when you see an interesting possibility for a picture is to pause and try to visualize the best possible arrangement. If at first you are unable to visualize then think about the image and then use your viewfinder and keep moving yourself closer or further until you see something that resembles what it is you are after, or something that appeals to you. Always do many takes and keep changing your viewpoint.
The image as is invites the eyes but then it does not reward it. The central placement creates an immediate discharge of tension and then the sky, while appearing to be interesting, remains rather flat and non descript. Yet, there is an image here to be had. Keep at it, it will all come to you as you persevere.
Message edited by author 2005-05-25 23:35:25. 
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