Small river with trees

[jjvdelft]

From My Photo's

Hi I want to know if the composition of this picture is right and how I can improve.
I had no tripot available at that moment; would it improve the sharpness, taken the distance of the willow tree in consideration? What is your overall comment on this picture as I am new in Digital photography and want to learn from your inputs.

Thanks

Camera Sony DSLR A200
Lens 3.5-5.6 / 18 - 70
ISO 100
F9
Exp 1/125
Date 07-09-2010

[danbaileyphoto]

You have a nice scene here, but there are a number of ways that you could improve the shot.

First of all, waiting for better light would make a huge impact on the image. Late afternoon or early morning light would cast warmer tones on the scene and create longer shadows, both of which would increase the dramatic nature of the photo.

Secondly, even though you didn't have a tripod, making sure the horizon lines are straight would help as well. The shot seems sharp enough, and as long as you use a fast shutter speed, a tripod won't necessarily make it sharper.

Lastly, as it appears, the green tree and curve in the river are your main subjects, but placing them in the center hurts the composition. Centered subjects are usually too 'perfect' for creating the kind of dynamic tension that helps lead the viewer's eye through the frame. Moving the camera so that those subjects are off center in the frame would go a long way towards improving the photograph.

Thanks for sharing, I hope that you find the feedback an input that you're looking for here. Photography is a long process that requires lots of trial and learning. Keep at it and you'll definitely watch improve.

[jjvdelft]

I agree with your remarks and they help a lot. I will do some cropping again to have the main subject more off centre. Thanks.

[Krusty79]

I agree with everything Dan said and would add that getting a graduated neutral density filter will help with the the problem of blown out skies. Of course, shooting in the "golden hours" will help address that as well and will usually produce a more interesting sky. You are experiencing the problem we all have when the dynamic range of the image is greater than our camera sensors can reproduce, hence the blown out sky.

Of all the landscape shots I have seen on DPS, the river shots that I have found compelling are the ones taken right down near the water level. The ones taken at a distance are not as engaging to me. This is just my opinion and should not discourage you from shooting what you like. I'm sure there are exceptions. I do like the colors in your image, though.