Flowing...

[Otavio]

Hi. Shot this afternoon, in a closeby reserve. Just processed. C&C welcomed. Thanks for viewing!

[Wavelength]

This image was saved by your outlining; that gives a strength and meaning; the gate way into the stream has been strengthened by the outlining; i cab do without a POI here
Regards

[NorthernFocus]

Hi, Otavio. I suspect the green rocks, golden gravel, and yellow leaves caught your attention here. At least that's what I see that's interesting. Unfortunately they don't focus my attention in the image and the upper half with all the messy foliage/branches distracts me. That said, I've taken dozens of similar shots over the years without accomplishing what I just tried to describe. I end up with the same kind of image. Some compelling content but overall a bit... disorganized.

[Otavio]

This image was saved by your outlining; that gives a strength and meaning; the gate way into the stream has been strengthened by the outlining; i cab do without a POI here
Regards

Hi, Nandakumar. Yes, that was the idea when I shot this scene. The stream of clean water through the rocks and foliages formed a beautiful scene. The difficulty with these type of shots is that the camera dont capture what our eyes do.. anyway, this was what I came up with, showing at least part of the scene. Appreciate your feedback. Rgds,

[Otavio]

Hi, Otavio. I suspect the green rocks, golden gravel, and yellow leaves caught your attention here. At least that's what I see that's interesting. Unfortunately they don't focus my attention in the image and the upper half with all the messy foliage/branches distracts me. That said, I've taken dozens of similar shots over the years without accomplishing what I just tried to describe. I end up with the same kind of image. Some compelling content but overall a bit... disorganized.

Hi, Dan. Thanks for your point of view. Personally, I dont think an image needs to always have "One subject of interest", although I know this thinking is different from what books teach. Sometimes I believe we should see the scene as a context. It is like not listening only to one violin but to the entire orchestra. So, this scene cought my attention not because a particular subject (I agree a white egret spearing a fish would be a strong subject here ), but because what nature can produce to us, with its many elements.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned on the above post, the camera cant "see" exactly what our eyes do. The place itself was much more beautiful than what the image can show. It's a little frustrating not being able to better put it in a frame!

Again, thanks for viewing and for your comments.

Cheers,

[Ken Curtis]

Hi Otávio.

I understand your point about not necessarily always having a single point of interest. I think you've captured a nice serene looking location with some beautiful greens and earth tones in the water.

I find the wide white border very hard on the eyes. It is so bright, it pulls at the eye and makes it hard to concentrate on the serenity of the photograph. I suggest a one-pixel border of medium gray (R=128, G=128, B=128) around the image. The gray will not be distracting at all and the viewer can concentrate on the scene.

I copied your image and cropped off the border to get a better look at the photo. To me, the rocks and water are the most interesting part of the image. The yellowish, green fern-like plant at the upper left is bright enough to pull the eye away from the rocks and water. You might want to try darkening the that plant to see if the more interesting parts show. It is just an idea to try, not a must do.

[Otavio]

Hi Otávio.

I understand your point about not necessarily always having a single point of interest. I think you've captured a nice serene looking location with some beautiful greens and earth tones in the water.

I find the wide white border very hard on the eyes. It is so bright, it pulls at the eye and makes it hard to concentrate on the serenity of the photograph. I suggest a one-pixel border of medium gray (R=128, G=128, B=128) around the image. The gray will not be distracting at all and the viewer can concentrate on the scene.

I copied your image and cropped off the border to get a better look at the photo. To me, the rocks and water are the most interesting part of the image. The yellowish, green fern-like plant at the upper left is bright enough to pull the eye away from the rocks and water. You might want to try darkening the that plant to see if the more interesting parts show. It is just an idea to try, not a must do.

Hello, Ken. Thanks for your feedback. I tried your border suggestion and also cropped a bit of the upper part. Also, I turned the yellowish plant into a green one. The result is below. I like it better than the original. Do you?

Cheers,

[Ken Curtis]

Yes, Otávio, I do like it better. Now I immediately see thegrocks in the center and my eyes explore from there.

[Otavio]

Ken, thanks for revisiting. I appreciate your feedback on the modified version of the image. Cheers,

[flashback]

Otavio,
I agree about hearing the entire orchestra and in this case I do think that the sum is greater than the whole of the parts.
I would offer two suggestions: 1. I think it would have been (maybe a bit) more interesting had you taken the image from a lower point of view and; 2. Upon enlarging the image in the light box, the way it fit on my screen the image was 'cropped' from just at the tip of the lower rock. To my surprise I think it strengthened your image; by cropping out the lower part of the stream AND it highlighted that branch that arches nicely over the stream (with a slightly repeated arches in the tree limbs in the background). Just my impression.

[Otavio]

Otavio,
I agree about hearing the entire orchestra and in this case I do think that the sum is greater than the whole of the parts.
I would offer two suggestions: 1. I think it would have been (maybe a bit) more interesting had you taken the image from a lower point of view and; 2. Upon enlarging the image in the light box, the way it fit on my screen the image was 'cropped' from just at the tip of the lower rock. To my surprise I think it strengthened your image; by cropping out the lower part of the stream AND it highlighted that branch that arches nicely over the stream (with a slightly repeated arches in the tree limbs in the background). Just my impression.

Hi, Jack. Thanks for viewing and commenting. I appreciate your suggestions. Rgds,

[ajsmith]

I like the revision. The rocks lead you into the light in the water... the branches across the top frame the picture and keep you focused below. Did you try the white border on the revised photo? I think it would look nice now.

[Shadowman]

Very nice. If anything, a scene such as this should make you want to see what is upstream and what is there should be a mystery. A shallower depth of field might achieve that goal.

[Otavio]

I like the revision. The rocks lead you into the light in the water... the branches across the top frame the picture and keep you focused below. Did you try the white border on the revised photo? I think it would look nice now.

Thanks, Ali. Will try the white border again. I appreciate your feedback!

[Otavio]

Very nice. If anything, a scene such as this should make you want to see what is upstream and what is there should be a mystery. A shallower depth of field might achieve that goal.

Hi, John! Thanks for passing by. I like your idea. I will consider it on a future try. Regards,

[Pappadi]

I think it would be better not to have that border and try a subtle vignetting instead. Then leave the yellowish leaves as in the original and use some dodge and burn to bring out the stones and water more visible. A layer multiplication and some fine brush work on the mask will imho render it in to a more fine image.