Reflections

[Dazyl]

Greetings, all. I've just joined the forums.

There's a patch of woods with a bayou running through a block or so from my home, and I went there today trying out some ideas, and also to work with a new lens (Sigma 70-300 DG). This shot isn't what I was out there for (I was looking for birds and critters), but I couldn't resist the reflection:



This is pretty much right out of the camera; I *very* light tweaked the levels. I'm wondering whether anyone has suggestions for how this shot could have been improved?

Shot with Nikon D50, Sigma 70-300 DG, 1/125 sec, f/4.0, 78 mm.

[thekevinmonster]

Wow, that's a stunning reflection. I think the most striking aspect is that it doesn't seem to have the 'mirror image' effect, where it's very obvious that there's a mirror dividing the image in half. The angle is such that you get a really different look at the trees in the reflection, enough that it looks like one fluid curving mass of tree. Really interesting composition.

However, I'm going to go out on a limb (I'm a newb, and I attract puns like string attracts my cat) and say that I think the camera focused on the water, and not the actual trees the water was reflecting. It seems that way at least...

[Teewinot]

I completely agree...stunning! I really like the lines in this image...they just move the eye along the entire subject! I also like the way you divided the "top and bottom"...instead of cutting it in half, you emphasized the reflection...very cool. Finally, I find myself enjoying the minimal colors...greens, browns, and just hints of blue. Having fewer colors makes those very colors stand out more I guess!

I also agree with thekevinmonster in that looking at your shot enlarged, it seems that the camera did focus on the water instead of the "reflection." I've often struggled with this in my own close-up reflection shots. Does anyone know how to focus on reflections??

I'm kind of feeling neutral about the very bottom...not sure if I would leave it in or crop it out...

[Dazyl]

I also think you're right, thekevinmonster; the camera is focused on the water -- or rather, on the algae. I wasn't paying a lot of attention to that, I confess. I was focused (pun back at you) on minimizing the banks/edges, and trying to get as much of the reflection into the shot as possible. It felt like I was pointing at my feet (given the range of the lens). I kept pulling it down.. and down... and down...

There's so much algae and so many branches, it might be challenging to find a reflection-only focus point -- particularly since I don't know how to do that. I may have to go back and try.

I see what you're saying, Teewinot, about the very bottom. It's nearing the bank on my side, and the shallowness is evident from the additional flotsam and slightly muddier color. I'll have to play with a crop and see how it feels.

Thank you both so much for your input! I'm so glad you like it.

[CyberF828]

Awesome pic.