Charissa Lansing

May 2023 - Beach Finds

About the Image(s)

Exploring a sandy beach to search for shells and other treasures is great fun for me. The contrasts in shapes and different textures in the pictured objects are interesting to me and evoked some happy memories. My goal was to direct attention to the subject in the foreground and include the mound of sand and other elements to provide some helpful context for the image. I look forward to your feedback to improve my work. Thank you!

Camera specs: Canon EOS Xsi (with the EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM lens used with a circular polarizing filter and hood) set to achieve a focal length of 67mm, exposure 2 Sec, f/22, ISO 200. The subjects were placed in a DIY light tent near a north facing window and a small mirror was used to bounce window light toward the subject in the foreground.

4 comments posted

Ruth Mayer

I love looking for shells on the beach, and this is a lovely soft picture.
Each of these shells could be a picture within it's self. They are all beautiful.
I think the shell in front is unique enough, and has enough character that it could be a photo of it's own. Also maybe a little more contrast to just the shell in front so stands out from the background. Posted: 05/12/2023 15:07:19

Charissa Lansing

Thanks, Ruth, for this helpful critique. I think I could have improved this by possibly using a trail of sand to link the single shell with the pair. Posted: 05/12/2023 18:21:24

James Silliman

You can almost hear the ocean in those seashells. Like you and Ruth, I have fond memories of gathering shells at the beach. Your still life brings back those memories. If I concentrate, I can even feel the sand between my toes.
Your choice of background color is interesting. The overall image is very soothing. I can't help but wonder how a darker, even black background would change the overall mood of the image.
Your intent was to focus attention of the shell in the foreground. My attention tends to go to the background and the objects on the sand pile. Their mere size draws my attention away from the shell in the foreground. Possibly increasing the distance between the two objects and using a wider focal length and dare I say....focus stacking. Still overall, a very soothing image. Nice work. Thank for sharing the memories. Posted: 05/13/2023 06:54:44

Charissa Lansing

Thanks, Jim.
I did hope to convey a soothing background.

Your comment about comparative sizes is helpful to me. Thanks!

I'll work with some other set-ups and also consider Ruth's concern to unify the subjects into one coherent image. Posted: 05/13/2023 11:08:30

PID Digital Dialogue

Group 06