Hi John,
Everything that you can see about you, no matter where you are or what you are doing, is in effect a design element…. a component that you as a photographer can work into a photograph to tell a story.
Now, if you are working in a studio space or with small items on a tabletop you can arrange these design elements in any way you want to create the perfect photograph, but when you are photographing 20 ton boulders stuck stoically in the surf, moving them about is not an option. That is when you need to move yourself to find the perfect arrangement.
In this particular photograph, you have a great location, a strong sea and a moody sky. What is not working for me though is the way the top of the rock in the foreground merges into the bottom of the rock behind it.
Now this might sound a bit picky, but you could have made this photograph stronger by raising the camera to a higher position.
Chances are you already had your tripod as high as it would go. With that in mind it might be time to get yourself a taller tripod! One tripod brand this is made for these conditions is Benbo. Their professional tripods go to a height of 2.5 metres. Manfrotto also make some tall tripods for serious photographers.
Now.. the one challenge in working with tall tripods is trying to look through the viewfinder when the camera is a metre higher than you are. The trick here is to set the camera up at a lower position and then, after setting the self timer for 15 or 20 seconds, raise the camera up using the centre column (just remember to secure it for long exposures).
Remember… one of the ideals in photography is to see and capture things others might not see. If that means setting up a camera on a higher vantage point then make it happen!
Cheers, Anthony.
Image Doctor's edited version
