Woodland pond

[ionian]

I feel like there is an interesting image in there, but is it too busy? All comments welcome.

[Geoff F]

This view does seem a fraction on the 'busy' and unclear side; but that all changes when viewed in the lightbox option where the clarity becomes apparent.

Maybe crop a little from the left side and have a different size ratio? I can't see any merit in cropping from top or bottom though. Possibly fractionally tone down the highlights on the right and far distance? But don't lose the 'pop' from those areas. Clone out that little bit of reed peeping in on the bottom, and the twig in the top left corner if not cropped.

Otherwise this looks good to me.

[Rebel]

Definite potential in this, I'm not a fan of the vignette and the highlights seem a bit strong?

I think shooting this from a lower POV would of worked better, as close to the pond as possible.

[Sam W]

I do not think it is too busy. You might consider cropping the sky completely as the result may increase the visual impact. That will reduce the overall area of highlights which I agree with Matt are a bit strong and seem to detract my eye. You might also consider eliminating the vignette in the lower right corner and just reduce the exposure on the left side and top right hand corner. You might consider using a CPL, I am just guessing that you did not from the glare from the water. However, using one might make the scene too dark. + 1 to Matt's for it having potential.

[ionian]

Thanks all. I'll have a play with this later. It's not my usual style, and whilst there are nice lines in to the image my concern is the lack of a subject when you arrive! I agree about the highlights, I've overdone that trying to play with the shades in the image to create visual interest. I must get a cpl for this lens, another thing for the shopping list.

Matt - yes, in hindsight, a lower angle would have worked better. There was a fence down there but I could have poked the lens through I think.