Variations on a Pond

I like the composition. It probably could use some more depth of field though so you could get more in focus.

Bo,

I think I prefer this without the reeds. I'd probably crop down below them. They still introduce verticals into the composition but there's no ambiguity as to the dominant circle shape in the image. That seems to me to give the subject a clearer subject. Subtlety is not one of my strong points though, so it will be interesting to see what others say. Also on my monitor this image looks like it could stand a little sharpening.

I could get by without PS for everything except landscapes. And with the Viveza suite of products, I could probably avoid PS altogether. Although, it still allows me to integrate the other applications. I use it now more as a workspace than for any specific features. I do stacking in Helicon, sharpening and noise reduction in the NIK suite of products, Photomatix for HDR and Lightroom or Viveza for pretty much everything else. However the NIK suite of products integrate with PS so that the result of a process step is created as a PS layer. That means you can use PS to tune the NIK layer and I would certainly miss that flexibility.

I do plan to work more with Tony Kuyper's (a fellow NPNer) luminosity masks for landscapes and PS is the only way to do that. A lot of the landscape photographers that I admire, including Tony, use those masks to control the dynamic range in their images.

Pat

Bo, I like the comp as presented. Keeping the stocks balance the pads at the bottom of the frame and provide context for the reflection.
You can do alot with LR....some pros do 90% in LR....

I might try a little curves adjustment within LR to add some contrast and have the image pop a little more. would also darken down the image just a bit by moving the black slider if the histogram will allow it.

I must be amongst the folks who use PS (and such packages) the least (low value for money for me I guess). If I am confused about a certain composition I'd rather take a few more shots when I am there rather than spend time in front of the computer (my PS Skills are another issue, of course). I find it impossible to rescue a shot when I mess it up when I shot it.

So, Bo, I think I like the verticals here - I'd rather show them to the viewer directly than only in the reflection. May be I'll crop a sliver from the top to reduce the verticals there. I like the straight lines and circles co-existing in the frame.

Not something that you could have controlled but I wish nature presented you with only fresh looking Lily Pads (but then, everything in Nature is always perfect).

Funny, you should say that, Ram, about having only fresh lily pads. I particularly took the photo because I liked how the pads in all the colors, in all the textures and conditions, contrasted with each other.

Bob, I'll try the changes on the photo in Lr and try a re post. Thanks.

Bo, I like the image as presented and it would also make a great image without the reeds as long as you have the reflections.

BTW, the larger image can be up to 1200 px on the longest size as long as it's =< 500 Kb.

This possibly could have been shot from a different angle closer to the surface of the water and perhaps with f/8 or f/11.

Bo, you can download most software on a trial basis. A lot of folks use NIK software; my preference is PS, but don't use LR.

I like your idea and I like the greens and blues. Keep shooting.

Carol

PS If you do download some software, by all means ask questions. Most everyone can assist you.

Bo: I like this comp as is and like all the disparate elements. The first thing that I noticed was the softness. I posted a version with just a bit of smart sharpening done in PS. I don't have LR and have been too cheap to buy it. I'm used to PS although I'm not all that skilled at it. You'll get great counsel from Pat and I'm sure he'd entertain specific questions. >=))>

Needs a touch more dof, Bo, but there's a lot of interest packed into this image for sure. The variety of pads is great. The stalks make a nice contrast in form with the pads; only problem there is the couple of dried brown leaves. PS would help you for cloning and patching and stuff like that. Otherwise, this is terrific.

Bo, I really like the comp. For me, including the stems in the upper left makes for a stronger image. I like what Bill did with the sharpening; definitely makes the image pop more. I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more DOF to get those FG pads in sharp focus. As for the past prime lily pads, leave them alone. They add to the variation of color and form, as well as make it look natural. I'm a big fan of recording nature as it is, and not making it something that is was not.

OK - I can see the difference in the sharpening, I do really like it a lot better. Though since I don;t have PS, I have no idea how you did the sharpening. Can I get those results with Lightroom? Or I have also been considering looking into some plug ins for Lightroom?

I just joined NPN. Where would be the appropriate place to ask questions about a possible plug in that would do the sharpening?