Windswept

[shmuxel]

Hey Guys,

I took this photo a few days ago during sunset, and i've reduced saturation to -100 and reduced exposure in the sky. I was wondering what you guys thought of it, and any construictive criticism that you may have - i've only had my Nikon D5000 since January, and I'm still quite new to this Feel free to look at my other photos as well.

Shmuxel

Here's the first version I posted:

[shmuxel]

Anyone got any comments?

[shmuxel]

No comments at all How can I improve without feedback?

[dianelynn8]

I like the pp version better for sure... it gives it a dark mysterious vibe to it. I think that the burst of light around the bunch of trees on the horizon is a bit distracting for me though. Hopefully someone else can help you out more than that though.

[Clockdoc I]

I would have to say the original is better only because the white over the tree line is distracting. I think you could have achieved better results by just adjusting the contrast. Just my opinion.

[LeeR]

Two points here; first, the second version is a marked improvement. That first shot always did need more contrast and the white in the flowers is a great addition. My only thought is that there may be some middle ground that would be even better; close to what you have, just back off a bit. Second, the 'halo' around the tree is a bit heavy handed. Reminds me of a story:

Back in the film days burning and dodging were literally done with your hands. Often you would wave your hand over and area as it was bing exposed under the enlarger to dodge in a bit of detail in the shadows or keep an area from getting blown out in the highlights. You could always make out the newbies because you could see the faint outline of their hand in the image, something we called "the hand of God" in derision. Your tree has a bit of that "hand of God" look. It clearly doesn't belong and it isn't in the original. I'm not saying it isn't a great feature and I'm not saying you shouldn't be drawing it out a bit, I'm just saying a little will go a long way.

[eldannyboy]

Originally Posted by shmuxel

Anyone got any comments?

I like the shot after you added contrast to the sky...

My only problem with this shot as it is, is that you lost some of the tree shape while adding contrast to the skyline... it is all a trade off, but overall I believe you improved the shot.

Perhaps you can get the best of both world's by keeping the image in color; which might help separate the shape of the tree via tone, since it is lost in contrast at the moment.