Enjoying a sunset at Kapil beach

[ashutosh1979]

Hi bitublack
A nice image, long exposure works,like the colors too, however IMHO one sore point is the shadowy thing in the lower left beach line (I can't decipher what it is). I don't think that it was something in your control so it is not a comment on your skill per say just an academic point. I think you used a tripod and that shadowy thing is not intentional, if it is, would love to hear your thought process for this choice and what you wanted to convey.
Regards
Ashutosh

[ISO]

I now feel that I might have considered a little more detail towards the lower end of the frame,

+1

[bitublack]

Thank you everyone for the comments, and taking time out to explain your thinking.

Very interesting point for and against the inclusion of the foreground. I feel that in a landscape image like this one, where there are some focal points of interest (sunset, impressions of people) but they are not extraordinary in any way, I often end up preferring images which have at least 3 layers that can be clearly distinguished from one another. Indeed, as Nishit has pointed out, I did not want to give the impression that I was standing close to the family enjoying their time, but respectfully observing them from a distance.

Combining Hankosaurus's comment about foreground detail, Vyas-ji's about depth,  with Mukund's comment that sparked this discussion, I now feel that I might have considered a little more detail towards the lower end of the frame, but not so much more that it competes with the other points of interest. By keeping it too dark, I risk the viewer being put off by too much negative space, and the stones looking like something I forgot to attend to at the edges of my frame. Something for me to keep in mind and experiment with, to see what I end up preferring.

This is a very interesting discussion. There is a lot for me to learn from the way you folks have articulated your thoughts.

[Nishit Dave]

Yes, the long exposure is ironing out the waves. Lovely image. I want to ask if the foreground is helping this image or not.

The foreground is necessary to create a boundary and give you the sense of standing on one side and looking at the other.

[Hankosaurus]

I like it.  It has an "impressionist" quality about it that appeals to me.  Calming.  I agree that the foreground adds an element of depth that benefits the picture.  I'm glad the foreground has some definition in its elements.  The blurred human gives an element of mystery that makes the viewer do a double-take.

[hvyas]

I think it does, gives depth to the image.

[ISO]

Yes, the long exposure is ironing out the waves. Lovely image. I want to ask if the foreground is helping this image or not.

[bitublack]

Thank you Thad. :)

[Thad E Ginathom]

I'm not a fan of the long-exposure water thing, but this picture is superb. Lovely.

I do like the ghostly long-exposure people!

[hvyas]

Superb !