Attempting Landscape any help appreciated

[Barbara Ponder]

So I have always loved this spot with cypress trees in the water so I tried to capture it. CC welcomed and appreciated.

[DEAN01]

Barbara,
Cypress groves are hard to shoot, IMO. I would make this a vertical crop emphsizing the two trees on the right.

[Shadowman]

Some photographers like including some sky on an overcast day, I prefer not including, the edit just never blends well with the vibrancy of the composition. Nice capture.

[Mike Buckley]

This is quite nice considering the diffuse light.

The space to the right of the nearest cypress tree is providing unhelpful information for me. Consider cropping that area to emphasize the big cypresses in the near area and then add a slight vignette to direct our attention toward those trees.

When making future visits: The scene with different light could be more revealing. Try getting close enough to the water to eliminate the foreground grass. Make a series of images that tells a complete story utilizing close-ups of the base of the trees, the water plants, verticals emphasizing the height of the cypress trees, overall shots such as this one, etc., etc.

[Barbara Ponder]

Barbara,
Cypress groves are hard to shoot, IMO. I would make this a vertical crop emphsizing the two trees on the right.

I will try that! They are just so lovely. I hope I can do it justice sometime.

[Barbara Ponder]

Some photographers like including some sky on an overcast day, I prefer not including, the edit just never blends well with the vibrancy of the composition. Nice capture.

Thanks John, I thought it was fairly sunny yesterday when I took it but now that you said that it does look overcast.

[Barbara Ponder]

This is quite nice considering the diffuse light.

The space to the right of the nearest cypress tree is providing unhelpful information for me. Consider cropping that area to emphasize the big cypresses in the near area and then add a slight vignette to direct our attention toward those trees.

When making future visits: The scene with different light could be more revealing. Try getting close enough to the water to eliminate the foreground grass. Make a series of images that tells a complete story utilizing close-ups of the base of the trees, the water plants, verticals emphasizing the height of the cypress trees, overall shots such as this one, etc., etc.

Mike thank you for the suggestions! I will put them to good use as I will be revisiting this area on a regular basis, it is where the Great White Herons roost. Usually when there the trees are full of them so I was happy to find this area that is as of now empty. It is also impressive when they are full of birds with their nest.

[Krawuntzel]

Good overview of the place. As suggested by others I would exclude the sky, but I do not think, that a crop will work on this picture; as you will have more opportunities to "work the location", we hopefully will see some great photos of nesting herons.
Erwin

[IzzieK]

Interesting place, Barbara...You should be able to work this place as it suits you, in different lighting condition, different atmosphere and when there are threatening clouds, you can include it. -- you know my problem here is that I do not see any water...all greens. 'Would be nice to see some herons...

[Barbara Ponder]

Good overview of the place. As suggested by others I would exclude the sky, but I do not think, that a crop will work on this picture; as you will have more opportunities to "work the location", we hopefully will see some great photos of nesting herons.
Erwin

Thank you Erwin. I plan on heading back there next week to try again.

[Barbara Ponder]

Interesting place, Barbara...You should be able to work this place as it suits you, in different lighting condition, different atmosphere and when there are threatening clouds, you can include it. -- you know my problem here is that I do not see any water...all greens. 'Would be nice to see some herons...

Izzie, this place is very beautiful and the only access to it is on a view "box" that extends over the water. It is at a rookery in a town fairly close by. The water right now is covered by the lily pads that with the rains have a tendency to bunch together. We have had very stormy weather the last couple of weeks. I hope when I go next week it will be more spaced out so that the water shows some. I don't have a lens (even with converter )that will get close enough without some major cropping to see many of the birds close up. it was a shame as when I was there one of the nests had babies that had recently hatched and mom feeding them. I could see them when I went to 100% on the camera. Oh well we can't have it all.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice area, I would shoot again excluding the sky

[Barbara Ponder]

Very nice area, I would shoot again excluding the sky

Binnur I am headed back there next week. I hope with all the suggestions I can do it justice.

[Rebel]

I think its a nice shot Barbara, I'd crop a little from the right and crop sky out.

[John 2]

Cropping won't be a total solution because to crop out all of the sky means losing some of the tree but a partial crop right and top would be worth while. The FG lends weight to the comp so you need that. I would then try to emphasise the group of trees by selectively boosting the reds (Tree trunks) and the lighter greens in the foliage (colour select in PS). Finally you could sharpen slightly. Because there is a bit of noise, the High Pass Method discussed on here last week, works well. Something like this (I will remove if I am overstepping the mark). This might be slightly over saturated for some but you can adjust to taste:

[Barbara Ponder]

I think its a nice shot Barbara, I'd crop a little from the right and crop sky out.

Thanks Matt!

[Barbara Ponder]

Cropping won't be a total solution because to crop out all of the sky means losing some of the tree but a partial crop right and top would be worth while. The FG lends weight to the comp so you need that. I would then try to emphasise the group of trees by selectively boosting the reds (Tree trunks) and the lighter greens in the foliage (colour select in PS). Finally you could sharpen slightly. Because there is a bit of noise, the High Pass Method discussed on here last week, works well. Something like this (I will remove if I am overstepping the mark). This might be slightly over saturated for some but you can adjust to taste:

John, thank you, I like it. Feel free to edit my work any time!