Moon and the Sky

[Kyle]

A few different pictures taken over the last year. I've got a ton of unedited photos that I'm trying to go through.

I've been trying to get into night sky photography, so far without any luck. I took this quickly when noticing a very visible moon just after an afternoon hike. It's not a particularly great photo but I like it's simplicity. I was surprised by the amount of detail you can get from something so far away.
1.

Just a shot of the sunset behind some clouds.
2.

Another nature photo. I thought the murky water looked really neat, especially with the clear path through the middle of the trees. To get this one I was trying to play a big with different perspectives by getting real close to the ground.
3.

All c&c welcome.

[bnnrcn]

They are all very nice Kyle I would expect a green or brown colored murky water, did you deliberately make it blue ?

[Kyle]

Thanks Binnur. Nope, I didn't change the water color. The white balance may be a little off from the actual color but it was very similar to how it is in the photo.

[sachi]

I like the colour of the sky. What time was it taken? I also like the horizontal lines of the trees and textures on them.

[Geoff F]

Possibly a slight crop from #2 at the bottom to reduce the amount of black; and I suppose a similar amount from the left side.

[Kyle]

Thanks for the comments. It was taken at 6pm in April.

Geoff, here's an update based on your suggestions. I think it works much better. It puts more focus on the sky.

[Shadowman]

I like the third image, second one can be further processed.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Kyle,

A few different pictures taken over the last year. I've got a ton of unedited photos that I'm trying to go through.

I know that problem - so many in fact that I have stopped taking pictures "because I never do anything with them"

Another nature photo. I thought the murky water looked really neat, especially with the clear path through the middle of the trees. To get this one I was trying to play a big with different perspectives by getting real close to the ground.
3.

Now this one is good, not normally a subject I shoot, but I can see why you did and congratulate you on getting down low.

It has to be viewed full size in LyteBox to be fully appreciated

I have two thoughts for you:

There's a block of something almost dead centre, floating on the water that, due to its shape, looks man-made in an otherwise natural scene - I would be brutal and clone this out if the shot were mine. YMMV

On close study of all the compositional elements, something also troubles me on the left, so I tried 'test cropping' a slither off the left hand side, so the trunk there became the left edge, but that didn't work. After more thought, I believe the issue is that there's a foreground bit of branch that 'coincides' (at this precise angle of view) with a more distant bit that goes behind same tree trunk and thus appears to encircle it, which looks odd. I am not sure of your PP options (or skills), but again, if mine, this is something I would tinker with in PS CC 2014, using content aware clone/move and attempt to shorten the foreground branch a little, so it no longer 'touches' the rear one which plunges (at about 60 degrees), into the water. Not sure if I explained that clearly enough for anyone to understand though

Anyway, I hope those ideas give food for thought.

Cheers, Dave

[Kyle]

Thanks for the comments Dave.
I think I understand what you were saying. The foreground branch on the left is a distraction. Looking at it again it may even benefit from removing the for ground branch on the right. Those changes along with the block in the middle being removed should clean it up and put more focus on the trees and water.

I don't have PS cc right now (purchased Light room right out rather than do the monthly subscription) but I'm thinking of getting it. The clone tool in light room is decent but not nearly as good as Photoshop. I'll give it a try with light room but I'm really thinking I need Photoshop to do cloning properly. I've already got a few photos sitting in my "waiting for ps" folder. (Also could use PS mobile to get some extra editing done)

[bnnrcn]

Hi Kyle , the cropped version of #2 looks better

[Stagecoach]

A good set Kyle. Strange how such a simple picture of blank sky and some moon can be so appealing, I'm sure it's the simplicity.

I too noticed the the 'unnatural' piece of timber floating in No 3 but I love the shot it certainly portrays the magnificence of those trees.