New Photographer: Bridge with Reflections

[thefly1985]

Hello, I recently posted this in the share your photos thread asking for advice, but then realized that was not the place for critique. I am very new to this but have done quite a bit of reading and I am trying to put what I have learned into practice. I have a few specific questions but any advice would be greatly appreciated. First off I did some post processing to try to bring out some color and I may have overdone it. Secondly, what can I do to eliminate washed out areas like the reflection of the sky in the lower right? I am here to learn so any advice is appreciated even if it seems brutal.



Canon Xsi
Aperture Priority Mode
Kit Lens w/ no tripod
FN:18
Exposure Time: 1/10

[leviathan]

I like the content of your shot. It's a beautiful Japanese bridge and garden. In general, I think it is a bit overexposed. There are so many rich colors, both in the water and out of the water, and decreasing the exposure will help draw out those rich colors. See if that helps.

[mpf777]

I agree with leviathan comments and would add that maybe a differet time of day would help. Typically early morning or late afternoon (or evening depending on time of year) will help. Basically when the sun is lower in the sky and hopfully more evenly lighting the scene. Also on a shot like this, where the sky is not in the shot, an overcast day can sometimes work for you as the clouds act like a diffuser and provide for more even light.

Mike