A Day At The Lake

[Loving It]

I have been practicing my PP on some old pictures. I am not sure what is wrong with this one. I just doesn’t jump out at me. It looks ok, but not memorable. I need your opinion regarding the composition, color, everything.

Thanks


Canon Rebel Xsi
Exposure: 1/4000
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 23mm
ISO 200mm

[maplegum]

Here's my view on it. I'm only learning myself so my opinion may not be worth that much!

I really like the cloud reflection in the water, that has turned out well and the colour of the sky is very vivid.

The photo seems to lack a point of interest. The landscape itself seems a little bland (for lack of better words). That is the 1st thing I noticed. Maybe if the mountains were a little closer or something??

Like I said, I'm new to all of this too, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

[navcom]

I also like the reflections. I think it might be a bit underexposed. You might bump that up a bit and also increase the saturation a bit...especially blue. That might make it pop.

I agree that it lacks a center of interest. It grabs you with the reflection but doesn't really keep you or draw you in. That is probably what is playing with your brain.

While the reflections are cool, they are blurry as the water is moving ever-so-slightly, which detracts a bit. The horizon cuts the composition in half and there isn't anything noteworthy on the horizon to pull you in. If the reflections were clear, the image would be symetrical, which in and of itself would make for a great center of interest and make up for the lack of interest on the horizon.

While I don't see an issue here, I would recommend using a smaller aperture for landscapes...say f/8 to f/13. It will increase your DOF and possibly also increase image quality as most lenses are not as sharp at f/4 or wider. Just my two-cents...not a law or anything.

[rlpavelsky]

I think it's a great picture. As soon as I saw it I sighed and relaxed. Sometimes the whole picture is the point of interest, and what is important is the feeling it ellicits. I wouldn't change anything except the bushes along the river bank. They look like one very dark wall. Perhaps selectively lightening them would provide more contrast to your picture and give it more pop. Blessings, Bob.

[kampana]

Originally Posted by rlpavelsky

I think it's a great picture. As soon as I saw it I sighed and relaxed. Sometimes the whole picture is the point of interest, and what is important is the feeling it ellicits. I wouldn't change anything except the bushes along the river bank. They look like one very dark wall. Perhaps selectively lightening them would provide more contrast to your picture and give it more pop. Blessings, Bob.

Nicely said. I would vote on lightening the bushes as well. If it would not be an offence to use a filter, a graduated one may solve the problem.

[Loving It]

Thanks all.
This lake is 5 minutes from my house, so I go there often to experiment with new techniques I have learned. Unfortunately I am frustrated with all the pictures. There is not a single one that I absolutely love.
You are right about the point of interest. The mountains are too far away and surrounded by sage brush or dry grass. I think I am going to have to forget about this area and find another place that is more interesting.

I appreciate all your suggestions
Thanks again
Audra

[navcom]

Originally Posted by Loving It

Thanks all.
This lake is 5 minutes from my house, so I go there often to experiment with new techniques I have learned. Unfortunately I am frustrated with all the pictures. There is not a single one that I absolutely love.
You are right about the point of interest. The mountains are too far away and surrounded by sage brush or dry grass. I think I am going to have to forget about this area and find another place that is more interesting.

I appreciate all your suggestions
Thanks again
Audra

Don't give up on the area! It's beautiful. You just need to "master" the area. ...compositionally-speaking.

Try going back at a different time of the day. Maybe during sunrise or sunset. Maybe during a storm or when it's really foggy or misty. I would definately try when the air is absolutely calm and the water is perfectly still. That will definately be cool. Also, I would definately try earlier or later in the day during the "golden hour"...about an hour before sunset or an hour after sunrise. The golden colors will make brush and trees "pop" and contrasts will be much more evident.

[tvoelcker]

I agree 101% with navcom. Stick with it until your satisfied and I bet when you aproach your next scene it won't take near as many shots to get the one you like.
You become successful after many,many unsuccessful attempts. However, the learning experience from all those unsuccessful attempts will prove more valuable than any sucessful attempts.

[Loving It]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Navcom and Tom. Unfortunately, I have shot that area early in the morning, at sunset, in the middle of a thunderstorm and every critique includes boring landscape. There is not much I can change about that. I will say the critiques on composition, exposure and saturation are not as harsh, so I must be doing something right !!!

[tvoelcker]

Own a canoe?
Just had a quick thought. Imagine laying in a canoe or atleast down low as possible and shooting across the bow at this scene ?
The lines of the canoe would add interest to the foreground and the lines would draw your eyes into the frame.

One more thought.
I wonder if you was to crop some of ther sky out if it would make the mountains more prominant?
It looks like the mountains are being lost for two reasons 1 they are of the same dark contrast as the shrubs and 2 the huge span of clouds is over-powering them.
Just a few ideas. I'm convinced there is a way to make a spectacular, wall hanging capture of this scene.
I will certainly have to dwell on this subject some more... I love a good challenge..

I haven't seen RoyL on in awhile. Sure would like his take on this...