Point of View & Strand of Trees

[Brownbear]

A few landscapes that I would appreciate some feedback on, especially appreciating advice on improving my compositions and post processing.

Minimally cropped... ie straightening.

Enchanting Point of View

I've shared this before but not with a sky like this, hence I'm hesitant to crop any clouds anywhere but perhaps needed.

f/8 SS 1/60 ISO 100 Focal length 10 mm (shadows lifted, a lot in the 1st image)

1.


2.


Strand of Tree Trunks

SS 1/125 f/8 ISO 200 Focal length 112 mm

I have this shot in many versions, with more trees than reflection, and variations in the horizontal format... I think the next time around I will use a polarizer as I see some glare on the water, later morning shot. And I'm thinking that perhaps I need to clean up more of the flecks of leaves/dirt on the surface of the water, and/or just try this shot again earlier in the morning on a less windy day. I'm very fond of this scene but...

3.


This will be my last post for a while as work commitments aren't leaving me much time to share and comment but as always advice to improve is appreciated.

Thank you.

[JBW]

in the first two the horizon could be moved up a bit but at the cost of the trees. I think #2 is the best. for me there is a feeling of mystery in it.

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your feedback. Truly appreciated.

When you say move the horizon up a bit do you mean including less water? If yes, why? Something for me to think about next time around, as I'm always struggling to fit in all of the trees in this scene, hence the wide angle. Perhaps I need a fresh perspective on this scene.

in the first two the horizon could be moved up a bit but at the cost of the trees. I think #2 is the best. for me there is a feeling of mystery in it.

[Round Tuit]

Christina,

My eyes keep wandering all over #1 but can't seem to latch on to anything. I like #2 best. It catches my attention immediately and draws me right in the picture. #3 does not do anything for me.

I do like the clarity of all three.

Andre

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your feedback. Truly appreciated.

When you say move the horizon up a bit do you mean including less water? If yes, why? Something for me to think about next time around, as I'm always struggling to fit in all of the trees in this scene, hence the wide angle. Perhaps I need a fresh perspective on this scene.

classically the horizon draws the eye. If you intended the far end of the lake to be the focal point this crop might work better?

[Digital]

Christina, I like the fact that you shot #2, and #3 in a vertical position.
Although I like #2 the best, all IMHO are all very good.


Bruce

[Brownbear]

Andre... Thank you for sharing... The view point at the end of the lake where the lines converge, with all the beautiful clouds framing that point (horizontally) plus the clouds.. I guess the vertical view point helps draw the eye more.I can see how the eye can wander, and something for me to improve upon for next time.

Brian... I see, and I like your crop. Thank you.

Bruce... Thank you.

[IzzieK]

+1 to Bruce's comment...I feel the same way...

[Shadowman]

All very nice, wouldn't consider cropping anything as the clouds are as much a part of the composition as the shapes and reflections. #3 is the most dramatic capture of the set.

[ied]

Very beautiful scenery Christina. Great composition and most stunning
clouds makes for and outstanding image. My preference has to be #2
as my eye wants to go beyond the distant point.

Irene

[Rebel]

I agree with Brian about the first two and the horizon.

I love number #3 though, I'd consider it more abstract than landscape but I think its great... nice work!

[deetheturk]

Beautiful Christina, you are getting way to good at this hurry back!

[Bud Ralston]

#2 gets my vote too!

[bnnrcn]

Hi Christina. I have to tell you that the clouds add a lot to #1 and #2 as I remember those scenes posted by you in the past without the clouds. I agree with Brian about the horizon and I prefer his crop.

I like all of the images but if you ask me which one I prefer ,my fav is #3 as being such an artistic image. But IMO #1 and #2 are very good practises of shooting reflections and I'm sure this experience will help you in the future for more colorful and dramatic looking landscapes

[dje]

Hi Christina

These are very nice shots. I like number 1 as it is and I think Brian's crop gives a similar composition to your number 2 but with a greater sense of depth.

Nice work.

Dave

[Brownbear]

Thank you Izzie, John, Irene, Matt, David, Bud, Binnur and Dave, and to everyone else who replied. Your comments, advice, critique and suggestions are all very helpful in my quest to improve my landscapes.

The feedback on the first image is making me think hard about that scene. Of course I'm in love with the sky so being objective about this particular image is challenging. I will revisit it at a later date, including some closer in shots I took of the scene with less emotion.

Thank you, as always. Of course I will be back. My list of images and questions seems to be never ending....

[Brownbear]

Hi Binnur,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts... Those darn clouds, beautiful as they are make for a busy scene.

For you, because you know that I'm trying to find my artistic side... Still experimental...

I've been photographing a lot of scenery in this area, especially trees... There have been lots of cougar sitings on the trails this summer so I'm always nervous being alone so early in the morning so I carry my tripod fully extended.

All the greens and exactly what the greens should look like (wb) is driving me a little bonkers. What do you think of the these especially the green colours?

Too many trees?

4.




Here I darkened the shadows on the trees, because they were too bright. ie; the trees overwhelming the tree trunks.

5.



Thank you.

Hi Christina. I have to tell you that the clouds add a lot to #1 and #2 as I remember those scenes posted by you in the past without the clouds. I agree with Brian about the horizon and I prefer his crop.

I like all of the images but if you ask me which one I prefer ,my fav is #3 as being such an artistic image. But IMO #1 and #2 are very good practises of shooting reflections and I'm sure this experience will help you in the future for more colorful and dramatic looking landscapes

[Shadowman]

I really like that closeup of #5.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Christina.

IMO #4 is a nice base image for PP. I know that you don't like strong colors very much but the image looks a bit washed out . What about duplicating the layer, changing the blending mode to overlay and adding a vignette to the image. I'm commenting just to give you an idea and if the image was mine I would also try other ways to make the image look better. BTW not too many trees in my opinion.

For #5, I would convert it to BnW and try to go for an artistic look.

Those are just my poor opinions and I believe that everybody has their own inner world. I have commented in the way my heart has told me. I hope it helps

[Mike Buckley]

When I saw image #3, the first thing I thought of was an image exactly like you later posted as #5. That one works really well for me.