Cruise Ship in Waterford C&C Please

paul-2008

Took these pictures of a cruise ship docked in Waterford City last night, What could i do better? Going to go take more tonight to see if i can improve. Thanks

dirtyghettokid

did you have any access to that dock? i would have gone down there to take the picture if possible. the dock is a little distracting, if the cruise ship is the main subject. i would just try to frame it differently too.
looks like a nice crisp shot otherwise!

paul-2008

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

did you have any access to that dock? i would have gone down there to take the picture if possible. the dock is a little distracting, if the cruise ship is the main subject. i would just try to frame it differently too.
looks like a nice crisp shot otherwise!

Nope, the gate was locked so couldnt get down there at all! Might see if anyones around to let me in down there tonight.

dirtyghettokid

you may like to give your lens a clean also, as there's dust in the picture. hopefully it's just on your lens and not on your sensor

lisatiffany

I really like the first one its lovely. Try calling the dock and see who is in charge of the ships stay. I've done it in Dublin port and gotten aboard all kinds of ships, it helps if they are docked for a few days of course. Most times if you are straight with them they will grant access because having good pictures around is good publicity for the liners.

colblimp

The dock doesn't distract one from the shots at all. If anything, it enhances the shots, it explains the situation more.

However, I have a huge problem with the crooked horizons on both the shots, it slopes from right to left. As the ship was moored, you had time to compose properly, although you could have straightened later in PS, LR or whatever you use.

Of both the shots, the second is my favourite - straighten the horizon and get rid of the dust spots and it's a class shot of one of the Silver ships.

paul-2008

I went in yesterday again to take more pictures, actually using a tripod this time. And it was gone Hopefully there'll be another one in again soon and ill be able to try again and improve

colblimp wrote: »

The dock doesn't distract one from the shots at all. If anything, it enhances the shots, it explains the situation more.

However, I have a huge problem with the crooked horizons on both the shots, it slopes from right to left. As the ship was moored, you had time to compose properly, although you could have straightened later in PS, LR or whatever you use.

Of both the shots, the second is my favourite - straighten the horizon and get rid of the dust spots and it's a class shot of one of the Silver ships.

Just going to upload one that i edited quickly now. I tried to straighten it up but I'm finding it hard to see if its actually straight

lisatiffany

@Paul - If you are using photoshop just drag down the ruler tool and then you will know if its dead straight. = )

colblimp

paul-2008 wrote: »

I went in yesterday again to take more pictures, actually using a tripod this time. And it was gone Hopefully there'll be another one in again soon and ill be able to try again and improve

Just going to upload one that i edited quickly now. I tried to straighten it up but I'm finding it hard to see if its actually straight

You mean SHE was gone. Have a look at these two links, I refer to them all the time as I'm big into ships photography:

http://www.portofwaterford.com/cruisecalls.php

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?level0=100#

The way to see if a pic is straight, look at the waterline on the ship, shore, whatever - that will always be dead straight.

humberklog

The plank and the sign on the surf line are a no-no. They intrude into the pic of a boat.

A pic of a boat? Do you like pics of boats? They don't float my own boat in fairness but if they do for you then a slightly higher position would have taken out the bits and bobs that don't look right (the sign post and the upright plank).

colblimp

humberklog wrote: »

The plank and the sign on the surf line are a no-no. They intrude into the pic of a boat.

A pic of a boat? Do you like pics of boats? They don't float my own boat in fairness but if they do for you then a slightly higher position would have taken out the bits and bobs that don't look right (the sign post and the upright plank).

I can see the point you're making (ignoring the terrible joke about boats not floating your boat ), but I often include bits and pieces in the foreground or background to add interest to the shot. After all, a ship is just a hunk of metal, albeit sometimes a beautifully shaped hunk of metal.

humberklog

colblimp wrote: »

I can see the point you're making (ignoring the terrible joke about boats not floating your boat ), but I often include bits and pieces in the foreground or background to add interest to the shot. After all, a ship is just a hunk of metal, albeit sometimes a beautifully shaped hunk of metal.

That was a top drawer joke! (if badly made:)).

Yeah I agree with you and I do a lot of what you say too, but I don't think that was intended in the shots by the OP. And if it were- it didn't work.

paul-2008

humberklog wrote: »

The plank and the sign on the surf line are a no-no. They intrude into the pic of a boat.

A pic of a boat? Do you like pics of boats? They don't float my own boat in fairness but if they do for you then a slightly higher position would have taken out the bits and bobs that don't look right (the sign post and the upright plank).

Its not exactly about 'pics of boats' its more about me barely after starting photography trying to get a few hits and tips as to what i can do better to make it a better picture, what different settings i can use etc. Also, keep in mind no tripod was used when taking this picture, as i only had the camera in the car with me after work and decided to try and take pictures of it! But yeah, i agree about the plank and the sign! i think the dock and that fits the picture though!

paul-2008

colblimp wrote: »

You mean SHE was gone. Have a look at these two links, I refer to them all the time as I'm big into ships photography:

http://www.portofwaterford.com/cruisecalls.php

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?level0=100#

The way to see if a pic is straight, look at the waterline on the ship, shore, whatever - that will always be dead straight.

Yes, She was gone. I still haven't gotten a chance to try and straighten it properly! The photoshop ruler method doesnt seem to want to work at all for me! I'll give it another go tomorrow and I'll upload it again! I got the dust off of the picture though and it looks much better

lisatiffany

Paul if you want I can try and straighten it for you now? I'm working on a batch of photos at the moment so it would take no time at all. If I really want a level shot I use the built in artificial horizon that way I don't have to worry about doing it in post and won't lose any of the frame. Its a handy in-camera tool but I don't know how many people actually use it or how many cameras feature it.

paul-2008

lisatiffany wrote: »

Paul if you want I can try and straighten it for you now? I'm working on a batch of photos at the moment so it would take no time at all. If I really want a level shot I use the built in artificial horizon that way I don't have to worry about doing it in post and won't lose any of the frame. Its a handy in-camera tool but I don't know how many people actually use it or how many cameras feature it.

It'd be great if you could actually, then i could compare the two and try to get it right! thanks a lot

lisatiffany

Okay I gave it a shot and checked with the ruler bars making sure both images were straight as possible both horizontally and vertically. To my eyes they both look a bit off but the rulers say otherwise, I removed all the lens dust spots too.