Water -Colored Pier

I went to take sunset shots and thought the colors were so pretty-so I tried an in camera blur and this is how it came out. C&C appreciated- Thanks

Canon 5D
24-105 mm
ISO 100
6.0 sec. at f/20
HH

The colors are gorgeous and are definitely the best part of this image. I'm not a big fan of blurs and this one leaves me wanting something more...either a hard line connecting all the posts together or something else in the FG...I'm not quite sure. I do know I don't like the tall pole that's blurred on the left side. I'd clone that out if that's possible.

I look at this image and don't dislike it...but I don't love it for some reason that I'm just not quite sure of. Hmmm...I'll have to think about this one some more.

I like the effect very much, but agree with Jules on the street light being abit distracting. Maybe cloning the diagonal out and leaving the straight pole would help.
I think it need a bit of CW rotation.

Hi Denise. I agree with the above. This image, IMO, would be a perfect BG for a multi-layered composite, with at least one more layer with, say a gull in flight which is sharp but with the same lighting qualities
(Fabs' recent post http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=25023) . This would apply if this were a Watercolor painting also, again IMO :).

Denise,
I like the colors, and I think you had a good idea here with the slightly diagonal blur. I'm still trying to figure out how to make a pleasing blur, so I don't have a lot of confidence in this observation, but I think what we're all seeing is perhaps a bit too much motion, with relatively distinct images at both ends (motion start & stop) especially in the lamp post. To avoid the secondary semi-distinct image at end-of-motion (if that's what you want), continue the motion until after the shutter closes. I'm sure I would have difficulty controlling motion throughout a 6-second exposure; I usually try for something in the 0.5 to 1 second range. A tripod or monopod (with the head loose) helps with control. Check out Kristin Westlake's explanation of her technique at http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=24766. This is something I need to try out.

Thanks everyone.

Dan- I will try that idea of yours soon-sounds like it could be interesting

Chris- I am going to attempt more blurs -I will re-read the post by Kristen right before heading out! Thanks

Fabs and Julie thankyou for your critique

Denise (& everyone),
I just found William Neill's latest ebook, "Impressions of Light", via The Luminous Landscape (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/es...ressions.shtml). LL (at this link) has his essay on exactly this blurring technique (extracted from the ebook). The ebook is only $15, at http://www.williamneill.com/books/impressions.html. WELL worth it; the photography is outstanding, as one would expect from Neill.

Chris Thanks for the link .I will download in AM- Looks really interesting.Once again Thanks

Hi Denise,
I do like the effect and colors........and do agree with the lightpost comments.......so I offer an alternative......my favorite tool.......the crop tool:D.......helped eliminate the post and by taking some off the top and bottom.......further strengthened the dark piers. I did try a LCE......of 20/40/0.......and liked it.......but it took away from the soft feel of the watercolor.....so I took it away but you may want to check it out for yourself. Only thing in re-post is the crop.......so let me know your thoughts.

Roman, That made a huge difference-You have a very good eye! Also I liked the lamp orig. but now I see what they meant it looks much better w/o -Thanks