Contrast

[gomer4378]

I seen this guy out on the lake and just had to get out of the truck and take this shot.
I love the small bit of contrast from his sail.
i am still a beginner and would like some critique (good or bad) to help me along my journey to taking great photographs.
Thank You
size edited and cropped.

[Krusty79]

Just so you know, your images are supposed to be 740 pixels or less on the long side. Also, you're supposed to post your exif data.

I think you have a good image there. Your subject, the little sailboat, is kind of small though. However, I wouldn't recommend cropping the left side of the image out, as I like the wider perspective. You might want to crop out a little of the sky at the top and a little bit of the water at the bottom, though. The only other suggestions I have is to shoot in the golden hours to get some softer light and a more colorful sky or to use a circular polarizer to reduce glare off the water and get more vivid colors.

[gomer4378]

sorry about the file size I just got it from photobucket and didnt think about it.

I do agree with some of the cropping, the sky and some of the bottom, I will have to try that and repost.

I also agree with the golden hour but I was just driving down the road when I seen the boat.
Thanks for the reply.

here is the EXIF info-

Camera Model: NIKON D3100
Date/Time: 2011:03:23 02:20:13
Resolution: 1024 x 683
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 105.0mm (35mm equivalent: 157...
Exposure Time: 0.0063 s (1/160)
Aperture: f/11.0
Focus Dist.: Infinite
ISO Equiv.: 100
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: Manual

[windrider86]

Can you re=post your photo?

[gomer4378]

Re-posted and cropped.

[Krusty79]

I think that's better. I still wish the boat was a little larger so it stands out more, but some things are out of your control.

Where is that? That's a beautiful lake.

[gomer4378]

That was taken at Flathead Lake in the middle of the Rockies in north Montana.

[IABoomer]

Nice pic. There's some color contrast, which I get, but there could be some more tonal contrast as well. I'd play with the tone curve in Lightroom. If you pull the lights and darks down, but bump the highlights and shadows up, you can maintain some detail to the trees on the left, but also add some contrast in the clouds, the mountains, and on the water.

I like the composition of the couple images you've posted, and when it comes down to it, I think getting that right is a bigger deal than exposure/tonal balance. Yes, all of it has to work for an image to work, but a perfectly exposed picture of a bland, out of focus, off-kilter subject won't be nearly as fixable as a mis-exposed but well-composed image, IMHO.

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by gomer4378

That was taken at Flathead Lake in the middle of the Rockies in north Montana.

Oh, really? I've been through Kalispell a couple of times on the way to Glacier NP. I've seen the signs for that lake, but have never actually stopped there. I love the scenery up there and will be back (but not in winter).

[gomer4378]

Thanks AI,
The one thing that I am learning is that if you get the pic right then with todays technology the possibilities are endless in post processing. As a beginner I am trying to be more determined to get that shot with what I want in focus and good composition. When I purchased my D3100 I was set on making myself learn it so I only shoot in manual mode so I can learn with trial and error, I may shoot the same pic 10 times then figure out what I did for that one good shot that I got.
Thanks for the critique.

Krusty,
If your up there make sure to take the west route around the lake, its the best. It doesnt hold a candle to Glacier NP but it was closed for the season when I was there this time but I go up there for work about once a month. Winter isnt that bad, it was about 40 deg F. that time and we wore short sleeves the entire trip even up on Big Sky mnt.
I cant wait for Glacier to open back up cause last time I was there I only had a little p&s camera and it just took the majesty out of the pics.