Pink Dawn

Hi Sharon, a beautiful view to be sure - and coming from Europe I am not so familiar with it - but i do feel compositionally that you could have done alot more with the image.  The grass in the foreground does not add to the composition and since it blocks some of the reflection in my mind actually detracts somewhat - espeically since the water was very still and you had a wonderful reflection.  Moving left (had this have been possible) and thereby losing the tall tree and going for a much tighter crop on both the mountains and reflection could have given a much more satisfying image and would have given additional emphasis to the slight mist on the far edge of the lake.  There is probably the possibility to pull back a bit more colour in the sky as well ... I sure would have liked to have been there on what must have been a breathtaking morning.

Cheers, Mark

I think Mark's comments are right on target.  Well said.  

I would add that a faster shutter to darken the sky ...yet retain as much detail in the green shadows as possible would be my only add'l suggestion.   This is a great moment of alpine light and hint of fog that you had.  

I like this shot alot, Sharon.  The Tetons are an amazing place.  I lived on the Idaho side for 30 years and they will always have a special place in my heart.  I think this shot is thinking out of the box a bit and I like to see that.  Perhaps the grasses are obscuring the reflection but it is unmistakable as to what you are looking at.  I also think it is very important to follow your own vision when taking on the more iconic scenes or anywhere else for that matter. The Tetons are beautifully framed and I think you could pull a little more color from the sky.  I also want to compliment you on commenting on my image.  I think the more you share your thoughts, the more others will be willing to share theirs. It's the give and take that makes this whole thing work.

Sharron: I like your image as is. There are many photos of reflected mountains in a pristine lake or pond and while they are beautiful, there is a sameness to all of them. Yours is unique and in a good way. My only suggestion would be to use the graduated filter on the sky in LR if you are OK with that approach. Richard

I agree with Gary's comments about thinking outside the box. I think this is interesting. The grasses add a little mystery to the reflections. I also like how the shoreline leads into the bay and leads up the mountains. The pinks on the Tetons look very nice.

--P

I like it that you tried to avoid the cliched view from here, Sharron.  My one thought is that it might be worth burning in the Tetons and their reflections just a bit (and maybe the sky).  I was there two weeks ago and enjoyed those foreground grasses, but tried a different comp. emphasizing the grasses, which didn't turn out especially well....

We've all seen photos of those peaks before, and their reflections.  It's easy to see why this is so popular, but it's not so easy to show this in a different light.  I like the "tighter" view here, and the grasses add something different, too.  If I were lucky enough to go there, I would probably go for the mountains and sky a bit darker, but I also like your exposure, which conveys the feeling of that hot morning light.  Congrats on the originality of the comp, and on conveying the reality of the bright light.