Winter is here

[JohnnyA]

This is my first attempt with a DLSR camera. My friend and I went out and I thought this shot looked kind of interesting. I am looking for an overall critique. Lighting, composition ect.
I own a point and shoot, so this was a big step up for me lol. I hope all the technical info is here. Let me have it with all guns I am here to learn
Thanks

Nikon D80
F-stop - f 4.8
Exposure - 1/30 sec
ISO speed - ISO 100
Focal Length - 42mm

[Art]

JohnnyA, welcome to DSLR, you will see it is other world in photography
Your pic looks good, but I would like to see more of the scene, to have a better idea of the frozen water
Thanks Art

[KansaiGreenie]

This is a very interesting subject. You did a good job with your first attempt with a dslr. The image has good focus and good exposure. Which are both challenges when stepping up from a compact.

Compositionally, I agree that I would like to see more of the scene. The lighting is even and flat. Ice can pick-up the light and change colors, so if it is in a place where the ice could catch some direct light it might really glow in the late afternoon or early morning. You could also go back at night and with a tripod, a long exposure and a 1 million candle flashlight and 'paint' the ice to make it glow.

Just a few ideas...

KG

[JohnnyA]

Than you Art. This was just runoff water from a near by waterfall. I framed that shot in because there was nothing immediately around it other than a sheer cliff. The waterfall was to far away to get in the shot. I did take a number of shots of the waterfall, but there were to many trees in front to get a worthwhile photo, and to dangerous to get to the best vantage point.
Thanks for your comment.

[Sterling]

Looks like you've done a good job on the exposure. Having said that, "correct" exposure often leaves snow and ice looking kind of grey. I'd be tempted to brighten up the ice just enough to remove some of the grey. I really like your composition. The ice sort of forms a curtain for the rock underneath.

[kirbinster]

I was just about to make the same comment. Some of the ice looks grey, which is symptomatic of underexposure, but it might have really been that way. I realize the D80 does not have the greatest high ISO performance, but you could easil shoot at 200 or 400 without a noise problem. Don't know what lens you used either but you might have been able to open it up more. Very nice composition.

[JohnnyA]

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure what type of lens was on his camera when I took the shot. I will try and navigate my way around Photoshop Elements 4.0 and play with the "grey ice". I'm not sure if it is maybe a bit of under exposure on the sides or maybe it's because the ice was still a bit thin. Therefore, the dark color of the rocks showing through.
Thanks Again!!!