Photography Critics: What do you think about this shot I took over the River Avon?

Question

Your opinions please as I am still learning about taking shots.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc156/webboffin/barge.jpg

This is the same image but made to look aged. Do you like it too? All constuctive criticisms count.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc156/webboffin/barge-old.jpg

Answer 1

The image that you provided is nothing more than a well thought out snapshot. Good subject, but poorly executed. The effect you added in the second version is really bad, as it takes away what contrast there was, while introducing terrible repetitive noise/banding.  

Answer 2

I am by no means a photography critic but in the first one, I think the people in the picture take away from it. I think it would be a wonderful scenic shoot without the people.

In the aged one, the people look good in it, because people had to do all the work themselves "back in the day" I would believe that really was an old picture if you told me so! Good job =)

Answer 3

Pic # 1:

I like the contrast provided by the trees, mountain, and the water.

the shapes, size & colors.

I believe it'd been better w/out the fishermen in it,

as a nature shot; but, it is still a good shot.

Pic # 2:

It really does look like an 'old' photo, truly it does,

now w/ the fishermen in it, it WORKS!!

Answer 4

they are both just straight forward try focusing on just a few things.

Answer 5

the first one just looks like a regular picture

but the second one looks good, it would be better if the people werent in it, they give away the time

Answer 6

It's badly composed. The bush in the foreground is a visual obstruction and the boats, which are the real point of interest, are crammed down into the bottom corner. We don't really look at the broad sweep of the river because the eye is drawn to the narrowboat and figure. The oldie version is solid proof that you can't make a bad photo good by messing about in photoshop. you need to learn the basics of composition if you are going to improve.