Tugboat Surprise

I took my ride this morning with the intent to make it to the coast. There was a big annual event, The Portland Rose Parade, that include a bevy of big ships coming to town. The event ended yesterday and I was hoping some of those ships were still in Astoria. That was the plan. I got about half way there, following the Columbia River Gorge high wy, Highway 30, before the rain started really coming down. I turned back for home, giving up any idea of continuing to the coast. I had passed a bit of coastal water in Ranier, OR and got a glimpse of a ship docked along the canal. I saw it a second time after I'd given up & headed home. Something told me not to waste a 150 mile ride without a single photo. I found that old tugboat and the resulting photo is below. I think it's a "keeper". I've added a second photo of the same scene fom a different perspective. Which one do you like best as far as composition and why?

Nice one Bob! I like the composition there, not too sure about the clouds tho (they look a little over-done?) great shot tho!

Like it Bob, one can see how wet it was but the shot is attractive and think the tug boat detail is better in that light than it may have been in sunlight.

Now the cloud, it looks ok to me I have seen them look like that over mountains, think Azz is suggesting you have added them, for what it is worth I don't think you have although you may have dramatised them a bit.

Thanks for the comments Snapper. It gave me a chuckle about adding the clouds. I wish I had needed to but indeed they were very real. I did increase the contrast in the clouds and don't find them detracting from the photo. I like extra pop in my photos as you must realize by now. I suppose it's a matter of personal taste. I certainly agree that I'd rather have dark ominous clouds like those in the photo than a blue blank sky. The shadow detail is much better with diffused light. Again, thanks for both of your comments and observations.

Actually Bob on second viewing I like the second shot even better, love the juxtaposition of the green roof building against the terracotta roofed building. And yes, like you, I like my colours well 'popped'.

When I was working in a job that took me from town to town each week I loved to have an image like this in my rooms because each day it would take your mind and thoughts down a different route.

And to think I had passed these photographic opportunities up at least twice before turning around to get just one shot yesterday. I've posted a completely different view of this scene in the Beginner's Section under Patch's Challenge #4. Have a go at it yourselves.

I like No2 because of the contrast of the tug with the buildings and logs gives more feeling than the lone tug

There great, Bob, looks a great place to photograph.

I like the second one better, the area around the tug adds to the story and I think gives the view a better feel for the 'story of the tug'

Being slightly picky now, the shot is a bit wonky

All the best,
Alan.

Not familiar with the term wonky.