Bayou

[Frizzy]

Hi there. I took this shot at a bayou near my house on an overcast day while I was experimenting with different exposures and apertures. I also played with the editing software a bit to pump up the colors and contrast.

I'd love suggestions about editing (did I go overboard?) and composition -- I was struggling to find a great focal point, and I'm not sure if the branch works or if it's just distracting.

Any other suggestions are also welcomed . . . I'm new at this and eager to learn!




Exif data
Camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 55 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

[Eileen D]

Welcome to DPS, Frizzy! It's a great site and you can learn a lot here.

For me, your image needs more of a focal point. I know when I'm walking by the water in the park near my home, I too am often drawn to the lines of the branches extending over the water but they don't always have the same impact when I try to capture them. In your image the lines of the branches are also competing with the intensity of all that green so they end up being a bit overwhelmed.

I look forward to seeing more of your work in these threads!

[Frizzy]

Thanks Eileen D. I was thinking the same thing about needing a stronger focal point. I really appreciate your taking the time to comment!

[mpf777]

I do agree with the need for more of a focal point, my eye is just not grabbing on to anything to keep me in the image. I do like the shades of green though.

[Frizzy]

Thanks mpf777 -- I really liked the colors too, which I guess is why I didn't abandon it sooner :-)

[Michael_2010]

These kind of shots are tough. Just the other day I came across these old concrete stairs in a heavily wooded area. They descended to an open area at the bottom of a bluff where something once stood. The setting had an extreme visual appeal, so I fired off several shots from a variety of angles.

Later, when I got home and started browsing through those captures, I was very disappointed. The stairway to nowhere just got lost in all the brush and I couldn't find a post-processing way to make them stand apart from the very dense vegetation. I know it can be done, but it must all depend upon the lighting at a very brief window of opportunity.

With all that said, I think you are in the same boat with this shot. It was probably a very striking scene as you stood there and looked across that bayou, but it is not translating well to the camera. While the capture is very colorful, there is no strong delineation between the various elements in the frame. So, the eyes take in the whole all at once and it translates into a spattering of color.

[Frizzy]

Thanks for your comment Micheal 2010, I think you summed up the issue perfectly. And it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who struggles sometimes with shots that seem like they should be beautiful but just aren't . . . although I admit I'm very new to this and have a lot to learn!

[dphoto]

The photo is very distracting in my opinion. Like everyone said there isn't a focal point. The water looks to busy. I hope you don't take offense. Feel free to critique me too. I've been a member here for a short time and sometimes can't figure out how this works. Most of the time I read threads and don't reply, because I don't know whats going on. Hope I posted this in the right spot.