Serenity

[alabamanightowl]

This one of my favorite landscapes I've taken. I like the sense of peace and calm it evokes( at least in me). I work at night and don't get off until 9am. Which pretty much kills the "Golden Hours" for me. This shot was taken in the mid afternoon.
Is it too light. Should I try to make it back at or close to dusk since early morning is out of the question? Or should I improve it in Photoshop? I'm asking because being new to this doesn't mean that liking a shot means it's necessarily a good shot.


Serenity by Danny M Long, on Flickr





Main Information
Make : FUJIFILM
Model : FinePix S2500HD
Software : Digital Camera FinePix S2500HD Ver1.03
DateTime : 2010:09:05 10:47:31
Copyright :
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Vendor Original Information
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[windrider86]

Dont forget to post your exif!

[Michael_2010]

I think you could put some filters to use with this shot and improve it at your camera. A circular polarizer would enhance the saturation of the sky. An ND would allow you to underexpose it a little and that would also improve color and contrast.

As far as composition goes, I like the lone bench but don't care for the house peeking out from the right side of the frame. I would probably crop that out.

[alabamanightowl]

Originally Posted by windrider86

Dont forget to post your exif!

Sorry about that.

[alabamanightowl]

Serenity 2 by Danny M Long, on Flickr

I played with the Vibrance and Saturation a little and also the Brightness and Contrast.

[navcom]

I definitely think an early morning attempt would improve the lighting. Your second image is a bit better but you can't really fix what isn't there.

Also, I would try a different composition. There isn't a clear subject that draws you in. You are thinking about it as is obvious but I don't believe the shot is paired down enough. The chair up front is a neat subject but the two buildings (left and right), the culvert at the end of the pond, etc., make the image a bit busy and confuse the viewer as to what is the subject of the picture.

It might be better to get closer to that chair and limit the view a bit more. Eliminate anything that competes with the main subject.

Hope that helps!

[Michael_2010]

The edited version does look much better. If you have easy access to this spot, it would make a good "study" piece for you. Work it from a variety of angles at various times of day.

If it were me, I would go at it about dusk and focus on that boat instead of the bench. A lone boat sitting next to, or in, a body of water can be extremely compelling for some reason.