Lochan

[Donald]

Now, as many of you know, in Scotland we don't have lakes. We have lochs. And what would you call a very small loch? Well, what else but 'Lochan'. That explains the title.

This is one of my set from a recent holiday/vacation in the north-west highlands of Scotland; in an area called Assynt. My purpose was to convey the rugged hardness of the landscape.

Comment and critique is always welcomed. If you wish to look, my gallery from my week in Assynt can be seen here.

Wasn't quite at the 'kneel-down-in-the-water' stage, but certainly got my feet wet.


40D, 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 30mm. ISO400. 1/60s@f22

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured and a very nice series.

[FrankMi]

Great sense of depth, Donald. I would love to see just a bit more definition in the sky and its reflection in the Lochan.

[FootLoose]

Donald, I like this composition but I think it is a little soft. Given that your intention is to portray the ruggedness of the area, I think a dose of sharpness - particularly in the foreground rocks - would bring that feeling out more. In the same vein, I wonder if a bit more contrast in the distant mountains would reveal more of the exposed rocks there?

[Donald]

Thanks for looking and commenting. Will go away, apply your thoughts and see what comes out.

[Geoff F]

Focus looks OK to me, particularly at full screen size.

I find it is always difficult to get rounded, and well worn, objects to appear strikingly sharp; and there is a risk that over sharpening will look unnatural.

[Stagecoach]

Very nice Donald, it compliments the others in the series very well.

[davidedric]

I like this composition but I think it is a little soft

Interesting, because it has much more structure than many of your images. I really like high structure monochrome, but in this case I would prefer to see the image cropped from the bottom, because the rocks seem to dominate too much.

I always feel a bit naive commenting on your images

Dave

[Mike Buckley]

I like this a lot as is. Interestingly, it conveys a sense of serenity to me rather than rugged hardness; everything is in the eye of the beholder.

You might want to add more structure (micro contrast) in the foreground rocks if you want to increase their texture. Even so, they look fine to me as is.

[Donald]

I like this a lot as is. Interestingly, it conveys a sense of serenity to me rather than rugged hardness; everything is in the eye of the beholder.

I do get what you mean, Mike. Despite the hardness of the landscape it was a very peaceful and calm place. However, on a day when there's a storm going and the rain would be travelling horizontally, it would be a different matter .... but even more dramatic.

You might want to add more structure (micro contrast) in the foreground rocks if you want to increase their texture. Even so, they look fine to me as is.

I note what folks have said. However, when I put in more structure (micro contrast/local contrast enhancement), those rocks started to look a bit crunchy. Something like the field in this one (on which you commented, Mike) where the speckled highlights were distracting attention.

[FootLoose]

I note what folks have said. However, when I put in more structure (micro contrast/local contrast enhancement), those rocks started to look a bit crunchy.

Did you try a High Pass filter, Donald? About 0.5-1.00 pixel looks ok to me.

[mugge]

I like the composition, I think that the rocks in the upper left and also in the foreground could be softened a little. something like the distant mountains perhaps.

[Rebel]

Really nice shot, the only thing that lets it down for me is the sky... more definition needed as someone else has said. Maybe a bit of a crop?