Does this show depth at all?

[ncee]

Or should I use different settings or is it a case, that this kind of shot, just doesn't work?

D300
Shutter 1/200
Aperture f7.1
18mm
ISO 200

I'm thinking, this is just one of those snap shots that was cool while I was there, but nothing special as photo's go.

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[navcom]

I was told once when experiencing the same dilemma that "there are no uninteresting photo opportunities...just missed opportunities." In other words, it's our job as photographers to "tell the right story" with our images.

I don't think your image is bad. It's very pretty. I think your image does show some depth. The haze is producing some depth with the mountains. The branches along the top are a bit distracting. Maybe get them a bit higher. But the image itself is a bit stagnant. Without any real lines or objects to lead you into the photo, it just kind of ends up being a pretty snapshot. Taken millions of 'em myself! Maybe another candidate for simplification. Concentrate more on those mountains?

[ncee]

I don't think your image is bad. It's very pretty. I think your image does show some depth. The haze is producing some depth with the mountains. The branches along the top are a bit distracting. Maybe get them a bit higher. But the image itself is a bit stagnant. Without any real lines or objects to lead you into the photo, it just kind of ends up being a pretty snapshot. Taken millions of 'em myself!

Here's another one from the same trip. did I get just a bunch of snapshots

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[navcom]

This one has some additions the other ones don't have. The cabin actually draws the viewer in. It's an object that is set apart from the natural and it's position in the photo actually points the viewer to the distant valley. That's a good compositional element. Plus, you've used the rule of thirds very well here. This one has some *pop*.

I wouldn't get too caught up on any comments about being a "snapshot". It's just part of the critique to help you improve. We all need critiques to keep us honest and moving forward. That's why this forum is so great!

Your photos are a part of you...be they a snap shot or a great masterpiece. Sometimes we succeed and many times we fail. Becoming "good" at photography is a journey, not a destination. And always remember that art is subjective too.

Continue to try to get better. Challenges are fun! But also stop and enjoy where you are at right now. Your photos are not bad at all. Instead of thinking in terms of whether they are "good" or "bad", think of them as continuous stepping stones.

[ncee]

Thanks. By the way, I check out your fliker site … some very nice photo's.

Boy do I wish we had more colorful sunsets here in Maine. You pretty much have to count on filters to get any color into sunsets here, but it is beautiful in so many other ways.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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[navcom]

I've shot sunsets/sunrises in a lot of different locales. Between you and me, there really aren't too many areas that yield "bad" sunrises. Actually, for most places good color is relatively rare. It's mostly just patience. And as far as filters, I can't remember the last sunrise I took that I didn't use an ND grad or reverse ND grad filter. For me it's a necessity.

For every colorful sunrise I capture, I spend at least 10 mornings getting up early, packing up the gear, and heading down to my designated spot only to be disappointed with what nature provided.

Through mistakes and practice you learn to see pretty quickly some of the "signs" of a good sunrise before the sun actually comes up. It's definitely not 100% accurate because things are always changing, but you get a "feeling" about a sunrise or sunset before it happens. Then you head out and hope for the best.

The other thing is planning. You really have to plan sunrises and sunsets. Find out from the internet the sunrise/set time as well as the azimuth the sun will be at. Then you can find your spot in the daylight and set up your composition ahead of time. This way when you return for the actual shot it's just a formality.

There is one thing about capturing sunrises that no other genre can match...the serenity of just being there. Even on "bad" sunrise days, it's still a huge stress-reliever!