Bridge Over Lagoon

[psykon99]

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z182/psykon99/Portfolio/Bridge1Soft.jpg

This image was taken at Martin Park in Rockford, IL. I took it with my Fuji Finepix S700 on a tripod at dusk. I used a smaller aperture with a slow shutter speed - though I can't remember which ones. The aperture was probably F11. I then used Pain.NET software (free at download.com) to soften the shot.

Thoughts?

Here's the original:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z182/psykon99/Portfolio/Originals/MartinPark2033.jpg

[ELAY]

Here are a few (thoughts that is).

The subject is a good one, and you have done a nice job capturing an attractive scene. I like the pattern created on the bridge by the overlap of the two railings. The reflection enhances the shot nicely.

If I were shooting this again, I would maybe try some shots pulled back a bit, to try to get the tops of the trees (cut off) into the shot, and a bit more sky. As for the sky, I would like to see a bit of colour there -- right now it is quite white and it would benefit from some blue, or twilight colours, depending on what the lighting is. My guess is that you exposed for the land bits, and as a result overexposed the sky -- the perennial problem when photographing at dusk.

There are two white objects beneath your bridge that are a bit distracting.

EL

[psykon99]

Here are a few (thoughts that is).

The subject is a good one, and you have done a nice job capturing an attractive scene. I like the pattern created on the bridge by the overlap of the two railings. The reflection enhances the shot nicely.

If I were shooting this again, I would maybe try some shots pulled back a bit, to try to get the tops of the trees (cut off) into the shot, and a bit more sky. As for the sky, I would like to see a bit of colour there -- right now it is quite white and it would benefit from some blue, or twilight colours, depending on what the lighting is. My guess is that you exposed for the land bits, and as a result overexposed the sky -- the perennial problem when photographing at dusk.

There are two white objects beneath your bridge that are a bit distracting.

EL

Thanks Elay. I appreciate the feedback! The sky was a problem for me, because not only was it dusk, but it was grey overcast as well. I tried bringing out some blue with the saturation tool but there just wasn't enough there. I hope to get a polarizer soon - but even then, I'm not sure it would have helped with the sky. I'm sure I'll be re-shooting that bridge again (this was the second trip to the park for photography reasons).

As for the stuff under the water, perhaps I will try to clone them out. I took out the sign by the left lampost (see the original). Perhaps that will work for the white items too.

Thanks again!

[ELAY]

Now that I see the original (think you added it after my post -- or else I am very distracted tonight) let me say that you did a nice job in post bringing out the contrast, reducing the blue cast, and getting your greens to be nice and deep.

Next time find somebody with a nice big red umbrella to stand on the bridge, a bit off-centre. A bit of red would nicely set off your greens.

EL