I expect I'll put my foot in it again David ... but I thought that the thing about 'classical thirds ' was that it was conceived to make people avoid focusing on putting things 'dead centre'. But it seems that rules are to be broken ... but does this mean '' do what the hell you like ' ? Please put me out of my misery!!!!!!!!
I some time think that my 'so called good shots' are lucky breaks ... inspite having put thought into the composition.

Love the foreground detail - but the 1st is my fave.

This is my favorite of the 3 David, for both the composition and gentle toning. The textures in the sand are also quite pleasing. Nice image all around.

Richard: The so called rule of thirds should really be seen as mere conventions. What is perhaps more important is that when you compose an image you place subjects or points of focus in such a way that they look like they are meant to be there.

Some very good photographers wouldn't ever consider using the rule of thirds because of the very fact they don't want to conform.

I just think that composition is simply the arrangement of elements in the frame with the intent of causing unity. That unity can be achieved in many ways by using symmetry or asymmetry or in fact any other way possible.

Seems like a huge industrial structure off in the distance; I like the strong feeling of isolation.
I agree with Ian: let the eye, not the book, decide what works.

God was on your side with this one Dave, everything seems to converge on the focal point! Ripples clouds and all! Beautiful image. Rules - who cares? Mal

I think I like it!

David - I think this shot is quite nice. I do enjoy the detail in the foreground. I am curious with your comment that this shot would not have been possible on the 20D. If you had the 10-22mm that Canon offers it would be wide enough to capture this kind of image no doubt. It would not have been possible with your current lenses, but surely it is possible with a wide angle lens made for the 1.6 crop factor cameras.

Best of the 3! texture of the sand, tones in the sky...beautiful. reminds me of a beginning of the earth scene. Love your work David

Yes, no doubt for me, it's the best of the three ! It's peacefull and well composed ! In french now, because it's easier for me ;-)
La composition est tout à fait adaptée, à mon sens, à cette photo. Avec une telle symétrie, le centrage est naturel. Et n'oublions pas que la fameuse "règle des tiers" est une pure invention théorique qui n'a pour ainsi dire jamais été appliquée par les plus grands peintres !! Il suffit de déambuler au Louvre (for example) pour s'en convaincre !!

Wow. I love it. The way everything merges and fits nicely. The composition, colours, contrast. Simply breathtaking.

I think the object looks great dead center. Well done. <3.

Wonderful light in all three photos. I agree with the other comments that the convergence at the center of the photo is stunning. Excellent contrast and amazingly well balanced.

What excellent detail! Great image!

This is what wide angle lenses were made for. All lines seem to meet right in the centre of the frame. The angle of light has also helped to emphasise the structure of the ripples in the sand.
As for my personal favorite in this series, I would have to go for the first shot. It has the edge simply due to the fantastic light. In a perfect world I would have preferred not to have vapour trails in the shot, although they do help lead the eye in this case.

one word - beautiful! love the detail and composition..the lens is great! this is certainly my favorite shot from last three. The rythm of the sand really captures the attention. Excellent!!!

This is my favourite of the three. The colours and textures are great.

On the topic of pebbly beach's to shoot, and whilst it's not exactly convenient for you, I'd suggest the 18 mile long Chesil Beach in Dorset. It's the thin strip of land that connects Portland to the rest of the county. Check http://www.flickr.com/photos/74964058@N00/33215432/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/skirkybaby/163849624/

Nice.

This is a beautiful place and I enjoy going to this pier myself. I'm just so impressed with the overall quality of the image and nothng is left to chance. Superb!

I would like to see a HDR image of this pier if you ever get chance ;-)

Thanks everyone.

Richard: composition is a rather odd thing – some times the 'rules' work, and other times they don't. I think that Ian hit it on the head when he said that "composition is simply the arrangement of elements in the frame with the intent of causing unity". I'd put it even more simply and say that this shot is balanced. Any other composition, with the pier at such a small size in the frame, would have introduced some tension into the composition that I was trying to avoid.

Steve: yes, I meant that it wouldn't have been possible with the 20D and my lenses, the 10-22 on a 20D would have given much the same result.

YETi: ok, I'll give it go next time I'm over there.

Thanks Ian and Dave

Strangely, something about the appearance of the pier in this photo is reminiscent, to me, of a row of children with arms outstretched holding each other's hands.

Anyway, I love everything about this image. Beautiful work. :)

excellent shot - love the wide angle and the toning

Looks infinite...

Continueing Rebecca's "say what you see" I find it reminiscent of two figures sitting at either end of a long table. As a result, I'd probably have titled it "Would you pass the salt".

Amazing shot. I love your perspective. This one photo has so much to appreciate, from the unnusual patterns in the sand to the distant pier and blue-green sky. Really beautiful.

I like the subtle saturation. very sharp.

Very nice shot. I like the sky and processing. I could imagine it with little bit more vingnetting to make a closer atmosphere. Very nice details in the sand.