Posted by Tom Kloster on August 25, 2007 at 2:22 PM
This is from Wednesday night - an after work run up to the lake, in hopes of catching some clouds. The scene was very nice (this is taken from Ray Atkeson's spot - an almost spiritual place for me!), but I think I made a few gaffes for a composition this wide. First, it's a fairly long exposure -one second - with the intention of smoothing out some light ripples in an otherwise still lake surface. The result was a blurred reflection on the right, and more frustrating, a blurred reflection of the half-moon.... that used to be in the sky and lake surface in this image! It was just too distracting, so they're cloned out in this version.
My other dilemma is whether the rock in the foreground is a good thing. I was trying to capture a bit of what Eric Hahl did over on this post. But looking at his shot again, I now see that (a) he was shooting in overcast conditions without a lake reflection, (b), had a more interesting series of rocks, and (c) there was a lot more light in the foreground.
Anyway, I was frustrated on this one, and would love some feedback!
Tom
E-300, 11-22mm lens at 15mm, 1 second, polarizer, GND filter.
Posted by Hans Hibbard on August 25, 2007 at 2:30 PM
The mountain and light are beautiful Tom. I agree with you on most of your concerns however, I'm not too particular about perfect reflections. This reflection works for me. Mostly, I'd just like to see a little more light in the trees (switch to raw!). The rock might work better if it were more centered and in-line with Hood...maybe a lower perspective for more cohesion of elements....I'm just thinking out loud here.
Anyway, all of that was just to give you the feedback you'd asked for. Personally, I think you could crop this to a pano and be just fine! Good work Tom. Just being there for the shot is 90% of the battle.
I just looked back at this again and it struck me that a square crop could be a very appealing presentation for this shot.
Posted by Mark Windom on August 25, 2007 at 3:07 PM
I think that we, as photographers, are our own harshest critics and that's a good thing. Actually, I don't share some of your frustrations with this one. The blurred reflection doesn't bother me in this case cuz it's relatively small and not what I would consider part of the main subject. The colors are great as is the cloud bank at the base of the mtn. I like the FG rock and its placement in the composition. My only suggestions would be to try and bring out a little more detail in the rock and to crop a little from the right...the large mass of black on that side is a little distracting.
Posted by Mike Stovall on August 25, 2007 at 5:29 PM
Tom, the light here on the mountain is gorgeous. Great color. I think this photo is fine as is, but I agree about cropping from the right side making it a little stronger. I like the rock in the foreground as well.
Although a perfect reflection can give an extra "wow" factor, the reflection here adds to the image. It doesn't detract in any way, despite some ripples.
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on August 26, 2007 at 4:38 AM
This is beautiful and the missing elements you mention don't bug me in the least. I love this lake.....
Discussion
4 repliesMy other dilemma is whether the rock in the foreground is a good thing. I was trying to capture a bit of what Eric Hahl did over on this post. But looking at his shot again, I now see that (a) he was shooting in overcast conditions without a lake reflection, (b), had a more interesting series of rocks, and (c) there was a lot more light in the foreground.
Anyway, I was frustrated on this one, and would love some feedback!
Tom
E-300, 11-22mm lens at 15mm, 1 second, polarizer, GND filter.
Anyway, all of that was just to give you the feedback you'd asked for. Personally, I think you could crop this to a pano and be just fine! Good work Tom. Just being there for the shot is 90% of the battle.
I just looked back at this again and it struck me that a square crop could be a very appealing presentation for this shot.
Although a perfect reflection can give an extra "wow" factor, the reflection here adds to the image. It doesn't detract in any way, despite some ripples.