Wouldn't it be nice to be close to a beach? I envy your location (I'm in Minnesota, USA).

I don't think I've ever commented on your site before, but like may others here, really enjoy your work. You have a great talent.

~the iron structures provide a fine focal point to latch on to initially, a small bit of contrast with the verticals of the orin and then the horizontal of the shoreline and horizon line...a frame of minimal content, but intriguing nonetheless...not too sure if the compositional element I pointed out was intentional or a mistake that produced good results...either way a good shot here, glad it caught your eye~

Wow... the colors and composition are very eye-catching.
Well done!

nice dof, the colours of the rocks... rock :o)

now these things Ive seen before, you've done a superb job in capturing them dave. Wonderful background.

Dave
Do you use a polariser? or ND grad to bring in the saturation on the sky with the foreground, your definatley doing something, so come on let us in on your secrets.....
CJ

I'm beginning to think my 20D is defective. My shots are never this good ;-)

I'm just curious as to whether the two figures (I assume they're people) in the background inspired this shot or the poles themselves?

Or was it the coincidence (if that's what I mean) of the two (or six, depending on how you look at it)?

I'm just asking because I suspect this wouldn't work as well if they weren't there in the distance.

btezra: I'm pleased to say that this shot was entirely intentional. That's not always the case, but - compositionally at least - this is exactly what I was after.

Craig: I used a polarizer but I also used separate Curves for the sky and foreground and Selective Color to darken the sky.

nogger: it's coincidence they were there, but I did wait for them to walk into this position.

What brand do you use? B+W? Cokin? Hoya?, just out of interest.... and is it a circular polariser?

CJ

A perfect trap. You trip over one lot of spikes and get horribly impaled on the other.

Craig: it's a B+W MRC circular polariser.

this is a great shot, the colors of the rocks, going into the sand than the sky is really amazing. i love this shot. it kind of reminds me of the famed "stonehenge". cool!

Again I love the stormy clouds, and the colours! *steals your lens* ¬_¬

I hate to be devilish, but I find your photos a little boring like I'm going through a stock photo catalog, especially your people photos. I feel like your photos don't have any character or life in them as if they were produced for a calendar. Then again, people buy those calendars because they like the photos.

Feel free to delete this. I really just wanted to express my opinion if you don't mind criticism.

if this is 10inches, then u are an awesome photographer!

Wow. Great shot Dave.

?

wow. this is gorgeous!!

Nice framing

great perspective and lucky to have the people there. The colours are slightly oversaturated for my taste... especially the pebbles in the foreground and the really dark blue sky at the top left. The sky colour seemed rather incoherent throughout, probably a side effect from the photoshop.

However you managed to transform a little iron monoliths into magnificent subjects!!! great job!

I've never commented on your images before, but I look at them often and I really admire the composition as well as the way you use photoshop to make them look the way you intend them to look. I think, after reading many comments, that those who criticize you are missing the point - and I am glad you are generous enough to share your art with the rest of us. Also, I appreciate your openness regarding your tecnhiques. I've used the duplicate layer, blur, blend tip often and I love the outcome. You inspire me!

(lol) Is the same with my yesterday's photo. The top of a trunk that seems to be a huge thing and is not more than a TIny one.
Is the contrast in this one what really makes the photo

The colors on "your" beach are always fascinating to me, I love the tones. This one is especially beautiful, because we also get to see a wonderful sky, nice job and well done...

this one is great, really great
I love the composition, saturation, focus
it all works

Nunca deja de sorprenderme el colorido de tus fotografías.
www.backfocus.info

I like how you manage to balance the clouds and the foreground. Well balanced, well done

This composition is nice, but I’d have liked a bit more detail in the texture of the posts. With the sky darkened down, I think the overall contrast in the picture has become fairly neutral, so anything which increased the punch of the uprights would just be the icing on the cake.

I really like this one Dave. Ask the girls to tell you the story of "the sticks" -- I'd love to hear what they have to say about them. (To me they look like cartoon characters). Well done!

Hey Djn,
I love this shot, not so much because its special, but because you chose the perfect DOP, whether on purpose or by accident ill leave that to you :D. But really, if it had just been the iron 'monolith' in focus and all the rocks immediately behind it out... wouldnt have been so smashing, but there happens to be this wonderful leeway of a few inches in the background rocks that stay in focus!

Anyway, check out my humble photoblog http:///www.adoptapanda.blogspot.com if you want to and give me some advice maybe? Thanks!

Oooh, the colors : )

Honestly, what is it with you and this beach? Have you ever taken a bad picture there?
Following CJ's questions about equipment - you seem to spend a good amount on your belly - do you carry a ground cloth, big jacket, or just get good n' sandy?

Great perspective and scale. Loving the depth of field too.

I think the thing that stands out for me, however, is the textures and colours of the rocks and the sky. A beautifully windswept British beach!

And greetings from the NW btw - I'm in Manchester!

sea world. :-)

Love it. Of course.
I check your photos every day, and lately they have started to depress me. Not because of anything wrong with the photos -- god no -- but because as soon as I click on them I feel the despair of "I will NEVER take photos that good." Sigh. Keep it up. You rock. :-)

The depth of field really adds the majesty to these old 'teeth'!

What I like of this shot is the little stones. They're all multi-colored, but you can see like a pattern on them. The sky on the background is just great.

Thanks everyone.

Astralis: no, I don't mind criticism.

Simon: I know what you mean, but I'd already lifted the detail in the posts. I think the only way to do this shot, at least at this time of day, would be to use some fill-flash.

David: I just get covered in sand – the control dial on the back of my camera frequently crunches after I've been to the beach, which is a bit worrying. It doesn't seem to have caused any damage though.

jane: if you ever head over to Blackpool let me know.

There's really a lot for me to like in this one (I'll leave it at that, as the pages of comments preceding this inevitably recount the same stories). Great shot..

modern gravestones for fish. :)

Fantastic colors - especially the stones. Great job!

every time i have looked at this picture it is different. I love the colors. IT IS FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!