my eyes are drawn to the right side (bright sky) of your image thus taking away from the actual ferry...

Ok, thanks guys, I dont have that problem with the bright side, but its my image 

I figured the part of the sunset would be nice in the overall image. I guess I was wrong

Thanks.

Thats right - I wondered why it looked a bit strange. Why doesnt the color in the sea reflect the sky on the right (and be yellowish) and then be darker and blue on the left where it is reflecting the boat and clouds. That unexpected contrast gives it a strange perspective to my eye.

Steve

Is the water wonky?  It looks like it's lower on the left, but that may be an artifact of the changing colour of the water.

I agree that my eye is drawn to the sun rather than the ship,

(Disclaimer: I am TERRIBLE at judging straight horizons by eye.  I'm sure my head is wired at a slight tilt.  Even when I have spirit levels and gridlines that assure me a line is dead straight, my eyes tell me it's just a tiny bit off)

This image was rejected for numerous reasons. I wont say the agency.

I fail to see the same problems as them. So as a once off, to confirm I am not going crazy, what do you think.

Focus is good, so its about exposure, lighting, composition, overall quality, etc.

Thanks,

The lighting is flat on the ferry, the sky is distracting,

ferry is underexposed, sky is over exposed

From my point of view the photo is not bad.
The colors are okay because they reflect the natural situation: the blue of the white part of the boat is absolutely normal as this part is in the shadow, the orange reflection on the sea is obviously the reflection of the sky, even if, yes, it could look a little strange.
The attention is drawn by the high light in the right, I agree.
I like the tonality of the clouds.
I think that this photo could have more chance to be accepted if you crop it a little the up part to remove the lighter part, and the right part to remove 40% of the high light.
Then the boat will be more centered, so more present.
Maybe you could increasing light and contrast on the boat will help a little.

I bet if you just took a gray eye-dropper in Camera Raw and sample the white on the ferry (that would adjust the overall color balance) they would accept the image. Right now it has a definite blue cast, even if the orange in the sky is confusing things a bit. If you want to brighten up the ferry and tone down the sky, it all can be done easily with PS (adjust levels and do some simple masking). I wouldn't crop it since in my experience ad agencies and publishers prefer more copy space than less - they can always crop it themselves. I've been asked many times if there is a version of some of my images with more copy space.
That would be my advice to get the image accepted. In reality though, things do look blue in the evening:)
You can PM me directly if you need more help with this.

So why ask for an opinion?

So why ask for an opinion?

Because there are obvious problems I didnt see. Some people gave good advice, and I see the issues now. Why does Gostwyck have to be a d**k when I ask for normal critique? And why ask me what the image can be used for? If you cant see that, you better go find another job.

I feel this was an overall positive post- take what will benefit you and use it. The comments you don't like just dismiss them. Therefore, don't let this be your last image for a  critique because if you do that than others will be afraid to post their images for a critique. This is common on all photo sites -you are going to get some very harsh comments and some very nice comments- just life...

T

Quote from: gostwyck on May 09, 2013, 04:34

Quote from: sjlocke on May 08, 2013, 18:12

What would someone use this for?

Maybe for a tutorial on improving stock photography skills? It perfectly illustrates how the subject is too small and underexposed against a distracting background.

You dont know what you are talking about. You judge me on one image.

If I expose the ferry, the sky blows out, if I expose the sky, I end up with a silhouette. Have you ever noticed that when you shoot at the evening/night, your shadows turn blueish? Hence a blue cast on the ferry. Too small in the frame? What about keeping space in front of a moving object? Rule of thirds?

And if you dont know what this image can be used for, then I suggest you take a tutorial. Plus everyone else voting your comment up.

I wasn't actually replying to you. I was merely responding to Sean's excellent question. That's why I quoted SEAN in my post and not you.

Now in this post, because I've quoted you, it means this time I am replying to your post. Get it?