October 1, 2015
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
I’ve just spent the last ten days creating new images on the Oregon coast. Conditions were wonderful!
This is my latest addition to the “Monolith” series: Monolith No. 85
Specifications:
Canon 5D Mark III, Canon EF 24-105mm f4 “L” lens set at 24mm
ISO 50, f-22, 314.1 seconds using a Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 15 stop fixed ND filter
The tripod is a Manfrotto MT057C3 Carbon Fiber with a Manfrotto Model 486rc2 Ball Head.
This image was shot in RAW and written to a Kingston 266X 64gb CF card and co-written to a PNY 64gb 90mb/s SDXC card.
The RAW image was imported using Photoshop Camera 9.1.1 and the post processing done with Photoshop CC 2015.0.1 Release, build 20150722.r.168 x64.
I processed the image using my Wacom Intuos PTK-840 tablet with 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity.
The image is a 16 bit TIFF with a resolution of 5760 X 3840.
This was processed on my Velocity Micro PC, a Raptor Z95 mATX with 32gb DDR4 2400mhz RAM, a 1000 watt power supply, a Gigabyte X99m mother board with the Intel X99 chipset and the Intel I7-5820K 6-core processor. Video is a 2gb NVidia GeForce GTX960 Video Card GDDR5. It’s cooled using Liquicool’s 8 loop closed loop liquid heatsink.
So, what’s wrong with this picture? Leave your comment and I’ll weigh in next week with my opinion.
Cole
Cole, surely that’s an impossible question to answer. What’s wrong can not be for me to say, it’s your image… Only you can say what is wrong, as its your image. I can probably comment with my opinion, say what I like or don’t like, but that’s not the same thing.
I think this might have been a trick question to stimulate debate. I also am quite pleased that I found myself appreciating the image for what it is and not looking to find out what is ‘wrong’
Cole, surely only the photographer can say what is ‘wrong’ as the image is their vision.
Is it not just then for us to appreciate.
?
Hi Cole,I think knowing your philosophy on photography like Sean has said already you ask this question to encourage debate 🙂
And I found myself feeling uncomfortable when I realised I was looking at the image looking for what perceived was a fault,so you have achieved your goal ,very clever I must admit,I like it.
About the image which I now think is secondary to the debate for you,IMHO o love it,the contrast between the rugged rock face and smoothness of the sea and sky is wonderful,the way you have split the frame into three with different aspects in each is intreaguing!
Regards nick
It’s not the picture that’s wrong, its all the blurb from the Specifications that’s at fault.
We don’t need to know that Release, build 20150722.r.168 x64 of Photoshop was used or the fact that the computer has a GeForce GTX960 video card with an NVidia Chipset.
All this information is merely a distraction from the image itself.
Capture the image, process it and let others enjoy it is my motto.
Spot on Ian Barber, I’m digging how you know more about the specs of your gear though cole 😉 . Other than that the specs are more impressive than the picture 😉 , kidding of course… Only for you to judge Cole , you are the master of your domain and if it works for YOU all well and good.. Look forward to seeing the other shots you captured.. and hearing your thoughts on the post 🙂
Dear Cole
I would have loved to produce such an image. Having said that, the classical rule of the thirds would imply a problem with the framing of this picture. Shifting the border of the righthandside mass of rock either left or right would create a more dynamic character, either creating a desire to look round the corner or to have more room to look into the wide open seascape. Shifting from landscape to potrait might have added detail to the rock on the right, in terms of sky-ending or sand-rooting. More differentiated graded light detail in the rock might also help, possibly. But this is all theoretical, you would have to try and see. Even more theoretical you might want the space on the right and the rock on the left so the “reader” of the picture can escape into the great beyond rather than run into that rock.I would be curious to hear your thoughts. I will be teaching photography to landscape architect soon..
Kind regards Rudi
Is it wrong to post all the details of how you shot an image, even to this ridiculous detail….. I don’t know! I had actually ignored that bit…. Was focussing on the image too much looking for the flaw(lol).
I agree we get hung up on gear too much and forget about the art but, in some cases, the selection of the gear is what is best suited for that shot by that photographer. the understanding of the equipment has come through years of trying gear to deliver the best possible photographic capture of the photographer’s vision. I don’t see any harm in posting the information, as it can inform fellow photographers about the equipment used to develop that image. What would be incredibly wrong would be purchasing the same equipment thinking that that will deliver the same image.
Ian Barber already said. Those “gear head” comments could lend to the impression gear was most important for this image – thereby distracting from the image itself.
ATB!
When I read through the specs for the camera, lens, and then the other hardware and software, I had to conclude it was the emphasis on gear that was what was “wrong” – certainly not the image! Oh, and the comments about compositional “rules” are also correct.
All of which illustrates that neither rules nor gear matters – it is the art that is important!
Okay to critique or not to critique. Before I do I’d like to say I relish being critiqued, it’s the only way to learn. If 100 people say my image is great, then 1 says it’s not, I’d like to know why. It opens up a dialogue about opinions and perhaps why we differ. I don’t think there’s enough of this in photography today with our endless stream of likes and good comments.
The composition is not pleasing to the eye. The Rock on the right is too dominant. I would have shot less of it but perhaps that’s the only location you could get. I fact it’s so dominant I hardly notice the other rocks in the background.
I would try and lead the eye to the back rocks by some dodging and burning. Or crop that rock out.
I don’t know how this would print, but I might open up the blacks a little.
Also how does it fit with the overall series, does it fit the feel or not?
Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
There’s nothing wrong with it just as long as you like it!
An artist doesn’t praise or blame their tools; what only matters is their final work.?
I definitely would have used a Wacom with 2048 levels of pen pressure sensitivity… Hahaha..
I think the only thing that would make this image better for me is if I had been holding
your lens cap sucking in the Pacific breeze with you while your time exposure was ticking away..
Love the image, the Monolith series, and Oregon Cole.
It hit me immediately…the answer…and I simply ‘ditto’ Ian Barber!! What a tedious job it must have been, pulling all that together…..I’m cringing. :} None the less, your image is stunning.
Does it make you happy when you see it? If so, nothing is wrong. If not, move on and take another.
(the specs made me laugh)
Well, if you’re trying to sell that picture to me to put on my wall, I’d say that the mass of dark rock on the right is too dominant and makes the whole image feel to dark for my tastes. If I crop the image by placing my had over most of that, leaving just a bit as a right border, the feel of the image is brighter, and I’d be more likely to put it on my wall. Of course, others will have their own opinions on what they want on their walls.
What’s wrong is using (and particularly promoting) Adobe “Creative Cloud”. Putting your own work in rental-only software, and signing up to pay whatever a sleazy corporation demands every month for the rest of your life is your business. But promoting that fact, and encouraging others to do so is very wrong. There is other professional grade photo software out there, you know.
Your original and my visual interpretation:
http://www.fotografu.ro/cole.jpg
what’s wrong? you’ve provided detailed specs of your hardware (technology) but not of what you ‘saw’ in the moment that you were trying to capture. methinks you’re trying to make a point; i.e. that people are too focussed on tools and not enough on vision
A black and White in the traditional style, aka Ansel Adams. Details in the highlights and shadows, strong composition, with in-camera effects due to long shutter speeds. No technical fault such as camera shake. Intentionally breaks the rule-of-thirds to good advantage. As I truly believe that rules are meant to be broken. I am also a fan of low key versus high key, as it tends to a more emotional response from me rather than a commercial photo feel.
So that is my highly opinionated take. I also recognize that it would take a lot for me to duplicate such a shot as a hand held shooter in a land locked state in the US who is too gear shy to carry my camera down to beaches that I would get washed out to sea.
What’s wrong? The rock in the distance looks like a side profile of Jabba the Hutt.
It’s not mine! And even with your recipe, I would never have created it!
So I will have to continue to create my own (substandard images) …
If you love it then there is nothing wrong … xo
You didn’t put watermarks all over it!!!
There isn’t anything “wrong” with it as far as I’m concerned. Were it my image I might have a slightly less dominant rock mass, might leave it as is. I for one enjoyed reading the equipment details, usually I never think to look for such info so it was kind of fun to read it in such detail. Made me laugh as I think you were having us on by including it.
The picture itself is quite beautiful, I see nothing “wrong” with it IMHO. All the technical specifications you added are rather boring, but again that’s just my opinion. You’re just messin’ with us aren’t you Cole? 🙂
Apart from the obvious overkill of technical data, the horizon line is off balance. Even then, it’s gorgeous as is!
Cole, the only relevant question is what do you think is wrong with it…if anything?
I loved that post Cole. Anyone can see that you would have ended up with a much more dynamic and emotive image had you used an 8 core processor instead of one with 6 cores. You didn’t really use 6 cores did you? Get an 8 core and then your images will really ‘sing’ and send a message!
What’s wrong with the picture? Nothing!
Comment was written on a 4th generation, 16GB iPad, Retina Display, Black with WiFi. Model MD510LL/A
Running iOS 9.0.2
You do not have state-of-the-art equipment. 🙂
I know, I know…it’s not in color!
Sorry Cole, couldn’t resist. 🙂
Christopher Says:
October 2nd, 2015 at 9:05 am
What’s wrong is using (and particularly promoting) Adobe “Creative Cloud”. Putting your own work in rental-only software, and signing up to pay whatever a sleazy corporation demands every month for the rest of your life is your business. But promoting that fact, and encouraging others to do so is very wrong. There is other professional grade photo software out there, you know.
If you can not afford $10.00 a month you can’t be making much from your photography.
I agree with Steve Ricketts. It is about your vision and not the equipment. I did read over all the details, but I got lost in there somewhere. I would much rather immerse myself in the image and dream I was on the Oregon coast walking by that huge rock, salty air blowing my hair, basking in God’s creation.
Wrong?
Is that you took the time and effort to dissect the mechanics of how this image came to be. Although, you did leave out who your electric provider is… as that is certainly part of the equation for running all the stuff you mentioned. LOL.
It’s a great image… there’s nothing wrong.
Cole – While I agree with the other responders that beauty and perfection in a photo is definitely in the eye of the photographer, from a viewers perspective it may not fully align with the artist. And that is ok. I would love to be in a position to make this shot, but from my perspective I find the right hand cliffs to be too heavy and distracting from the monolith in the water. I would have shifted perspective a lille more to the left to gain some more negative space to balance out the mass on the right – I think a large mass requires more negative to balance it and not overwhelm the visual impact. Just my thoughts.
If you like it, there is nothing wrong with it. However, for my taste, I would lighten the large rock structure on the right as well as the foreground. Overall, I feel it lacks a bit of snap/contrast. Just my thoughts.
if it “feels” wrong to the artist would be the only way something was wrong with it. it looks like a “Cole Thompson” image to me – unmistakably yours. do you love it? does it speak to you?
Cole
It looks like a fun shot to take. I, I think there is too much rock on the right. It over shadows tor blocks the photo and that is where your eye ends up and not on the smaller rocks. 2, If you could have moved 2-4 feet to your left to take the shot I think it would have been better but maybe that could not have been done. Thank you for the opportunity to critique one of your photos
Morning Cole,
My response is simple…there is nothing wrong with this image. It could have been created with far less equipment and far less expensive equipment. Gear does not the photographer make. The photographer (us) is the creator of our art.
Cheers,
Wayne
You omitted latitude/longitutde…:-)
(Jim, I’ve been trying to contact you but your email address keeps bouncing. Cole)
This is a double trick question. First, you threw in that technical info as a decoy. Second, is that you don’t care nor want to hear from anybody what they think.
Cole
41 responses…:-)’s
I can hear you laughing.
Thanks for the entertainment today!
G
Wow, what a thread. Can’t wait to hear you weigh in on this, but remind me never to ask the Internet what’s wrong with one of my images 🙂
Cole; Thank you for showing me to make good picture. Now I know how . I go and buy all new camera stuff just like you got. Then I make more betta photo graph just like you………..Old Fool Larry
Cole, I studied and studied your image and then all of a sudden it hit me. You are using a PC instead of a Mac. I hope this helps.
John
OK, Cole, everyone has figured out you’re spoofing us. So as a spoffee, I’ll add my two cents.
What’s wrong with the image is what’s wrong with the question. “Wrong” implies there is a “right”, which implies an absolute standard for art, which of course is a steaming pumpkin patch of horse puckey.
The Eleventh Commandment: Thou shall not subject art to a standard of Right or Wrong.
I think it is a great image as is. This may be presumptuous but it might be even better cropped square leaving the left edge where it is now.
As to the technical details, they seem irrelevant. You used your tools and your vision made the image. You could easily have used different tools with the same result.
As an aside, I am always puzzled by the hatred some people have for Adobe. This admirable corporation continues to provide photographers with cutting edge technology for a paltry $10 per month. I am an ameteur and make no money from my photography and for less money than a good meal I have the use of the same work flow tools as the most successful professional. Thanks Adobe!
Sorry, but I can’t leave this one alone.
mark goebel Says:
October 3rd, 2015 at 5:33 am
You do not have state-of-the-art equipment. 🙂
Mark,
Granted what Cole has is not the latest and greatest… but it’s damn close.
I’ve worked in the publishing industry for many years. State-of-the-art equipment is ephemeral and fraught with problems. As they rarely work as promised.
Bottom line it’s never the equipment… it continues to be the human being.
Within my own work, I’ve exhibited images taken with an 8X10 view camera, along side images I’ve taken with a disposable camera.
It’s all about Vision… how you get there… is of no consequence.
Hi Cole,
Great day here in Northern New South Wales , Australia- brilliant.
Just read your “what’s wrong post with this image” post.
Almost wet myself laughing.
I’ve decided that you are, in the colloquial way that people in Australia say, “taking the piss” – that is, taking the mickey, stirring people up – having a go, having a laugh etc etc.
If there actually is anything wrong with the image, I’ll be interested to see – from your perspective. From mine – nothing much at all.
I enjoyed the responses. Funny how folk get caught up in tech details. Sheesh – it’s a wonder some of my fellow mac users didn’t jump on board, or those who prefer capture one as opposed to PS etc etc
Keep shooting old chap. Great stuff.
Cheers.
Willie
🙂
As many others have stated above. If the image matches you’re vision then there is nothing wrong with it at all.
I think you’re playing a game with us Cole. The over the top list of specifications below the image add nothing to the image at all and therefore, like refining a composition should be excluded.
There seems to be a mentality amongst people who take photographs -I’ll refrain from saying photographers there- that equipment and computers and software matter. They don’t. What matters is intent and emotion and vision. Thats what makes a photographer and an artist.
Why do they do this? No-one walks up to a painter and opens a discussion about art with ‘Wonderful painting you must have great brushes’ so why do photographers ask what camera, what software, as if mimicking these things will produce the same results.
Either way in my opinion it’s a wonderful image, slightly right side heavy for me but thats just my taste and doesn’t infer any right or wrongness. 🙂
On the proviso that the final image was consistent with your vision, absolutely nothing is wrong with the image. We do pay attention Cole! 😉
It is wrong if people get all caught up in the tech writeup and not just look at the wonderful image. that is all that matters. I think the Pop Photo writeups are getting too techy with adding things like adjustments in PS of LR and exposure compensation. etc to the readers photos. I like to go old school and just admire images 🙂
It a awesome photograph. It not what other people like, it what you like Mr. Cole. It your VISION.
Cole- lots of interesting comments above- I shared your image with a group I was with the past 4 days on the North Shore or Lake Superior- Maybe the answer is nothing is wrong with it- If you asked a different question like ” how does this image feel” or “do you like the balance ?” maybe the answers would come easier – For me the eye goes to light- The dark area on the right side might be a bit to much for my taste but maybe not yours.
We reviewed the ten images each for 14 photographers this morning who were all interpreting essentially the same subjects but each in a different way. Who is to say one way is better than another? Not me- But I know visually what I like and what others like I do not. Makes it interesting.
As for the technical details- you were correct on our email when you said it is comp;scatted. Ansel Adams would have loved you!
Cheers
Cole, you did it…
You’ve opened up the proverbial “can of worms”.
Enjoy!!!
Two posts ago Cole wrote a list of what matters and he says the equipment doesn’t matter, so that long list of specs is irrelevant. If I take the question at face value, that is, composotion-wise, I think the right side is too dominant both in the space it takes up and in how dark it is.
I leave the more abstract ponderings about whether or not we can ever say something is wrong with a photo to others.
Jiminey Christmas, who cares about the tech. I like the jagged edges and the juxtaposition of smooth and rough.
So what’s wrong with the image?
Oh my goodness, it’s a fantastic photo full of mystery. You wonder what’s behind the rock outcrop. There’s a lot of anticipation and excitement and it’s a little scary too! The mood is nicely conveyed through the dark and light spots, and the soft and harsh features. You know what’s wrong with it? You should not have asked me because I am feeling quite playful and my opinion is totally biased. So there you have it!
I’m feeling a little silly because I’m probably totally off but I wonder about the direction of the light source. It seems that the shadows of the rocks mid frame in the water fall down toward the bottom of the frame, I see some dodging there, but the light source is coming from the right so the shadows should fall more to the left. There is also a light source on the rock feature to the right edge of the frame that would seem to be bending around it from the right or shining from some source on the shore.
New subject: what’s wrong with readers
I’m not sure which is funnier, your post, or the responses from the people who didn’t get it.
Great image as usual. Can’t wait to buy all that stuff so I can take photos like you:).
I am changing the question, as the question itself is wrong. I am commenting on what my preference would be – what appeals to me personally at an emotional level. I like the tension between the monolith and the cliff face on the right hand side. However, I feel the clif is to strong – it over powers the monolith. I like to see a more balanced placement of the elements so there is a greater emphasis on the monolith.
I like the depth created between the monolith and the cliff face – it draws you into the middle so I am trying to see how much I can crop off the righ edge of the image without losing that dept. Once you get to the middle, the cloud streaks draw the eye through the rest which really appeals to me. Again, I want to reduce the focus on the cliff so that is more attention on the clouds. I am trying to achieve a balanced, more simplified look in my images so that is what appeals to me personally at this time. It could all change next week as I try to keep an open mind and learn.
Great image, no matter what.
Whoa… feel like I’m on a boat and the whole crew is getting sea sick.
Cole please weigh in on this sooner than later. It’s out of control…
It’s a powerful image, and I agree with others that “right or wrong” is a strong term and not appropriate to Art, as it’s in the eye of the beholder. I can state that I hear many comments from our expert judges (who visit our camera club) that it’s not usually a good idea to have as large a block of something dark as you have in the dark rocks on the right side, and I tend to usually agree. So, if my image (I wish), I would crop some of the dark rock off the right side and have a little more of the image showing the beautiful light and water.
I already answered, but perhaps this is a Rorschach Test, although it would take a sort of diabolical genius to anticipate the many answers to the not quite open ended question.
Cole,
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the photograph – it is your photograph(vision) and it is not up to me to judge. All that is “wrong” with the post is the long list of all the equipment, software, etc. that has nothing to do with YOUR vision.
Keep on keeping on!
Mike
Is there a prize for the right answer?
Or least wrong one?
Or is it the answer with the best font that is rightest?
Or am I viewing this on the wrong device?
?
I’m late to this discussion, and I’ve read the subsequent posts which explain the reason for this question.
The only significant information given with the image was the EXIF. I sometimes find that useful when I want to learn how the image was created. I don’t think it is essential, and I don’t think it needs to be in an place of prominence.