I will say it straight away, I think I like this image although am concious of over use of the gradient. The image did come out as I had planned in my head but there's just something not quite right for me still.
I would love to hear all your comments, either good or bad it's the only way I will learn. I always find large mountains or expanses of space difficult to work with as a landscape photographer, I prefer being close to a main subject, don't know why.
D300
055XB
Sigma RF 20mm
1/250 @ F16 Cokin 121 grad, both upside down and right side up.
Drew
Posted by Chris O'Reilly on November 19, 2008 at 7:54 AM
Hi Drew
I'm no landscape expert but for me the image needs cropping - the sky above the clouds adds nothing useful to the image and unbalances the composition. The re-post crop (hope you don't mind?) is stronger and naturally lets eye the rest on the detail.
The only other thing is that the light is not that inspiring. That said, you've made the most of what was on offer.
Cheers, Chris
Posted by David Sewell on November 19, 2008 at 8:17 AM
Like Chris, I am no landscape expert, and also like Chris, I would crop it. In addition to what he has already removed I would also take a bit off the bottom to create more of a letterbox format. But thank you for sharing this with us, I have worked at the pond in the foreground in spring for the last two years - I don't think I ever saw it as tranquil as this!
yes, I agree & no I don't mind a bit of creative editing - your right the light was terrible, that combined with the horrible haze throughout the day.... I think I did my best.
Nice image, but like Chris and David, I also think you should crop it. The composition of the re-post is much stronger.
Sandra
Posted by Mike Smith on November 19, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Drew
The original image suffers from 50:50'itus ie 50% foreground lake & 50% sky. A general rule of thumb for landscape images is to try and make this more 33:66 or 66:33 ie the rule of thirds, when going for more foreground ensure there is a strong near element or lead in lines, and when going for more sky use interesting cloud formations etc
The Welsh Brecon/black mountains are tricky to photograph because they are so rolling and flat topped in form so in themselves make for little interest when used as a distant backdrop, so it is a difficult subject to pull-off succesfully.
Whilst the pool reeds mirror the shape of the mountains, together they create a strong lead line pointing left to effectively nothing - I think that is what is causing the 'unsatisfying' element to the image. Try cutting off the left hand 1/3rd somewhere around the bright white balls shaped cloud formation to reduce the leading line.
Discussion
5 repliesI will say it straight away, I think I like this image although am concious of over use of the gradient. The image did come out as I had planned in my head but there's just something not quite right for me still.
I would love to hear all your comments, either good or bad it's the only way I will learn. I always find large mountains or expanses of space difficult to work with as a landscape photographer, I prefer being close to a main subject, don't know why.
D300
055XB
Sigma RF 20mm
1/250 @ F16 Cokin 121 grad, both upside down and right side up.
Drew
I'm no landscape expert but for me the image needs cropping - the sky above the clouds adds nothing useful to the image and unbalances the composition. The re-post crop (hope you don't mind?) is stronger and naturally lets eye the rest on the detail.
The only other thing is that the light is not that inspiring. That said, you've made the most of what was on offer.
Cheers, Chris
David
Thanks for your comments.
Drew
Nice image, but like Chris and David, I also think you should crop it. The composition of the re-post is much stronger.
Sandra
The original image suffers from 50:50'itus ie 50% foreground lake & 50% sky. A general rule of thumb for landscape images is to try and make this more 33:66 or 66:33 ie the rule of thirds, when going for more foreground ensure there is a strong near element or lead in lines, and when going for more sky use interesting cloud formations etc
The Welsh Brecon/black mountains are tricky to photograph because they are so rolling and flat topped in form so in themselves make for little interest when used as a distant backdrop, so it is a difficult subject to pull-off succesfully.
Whilst the pool reeds mirror the shape of the mountains, together they create a strong lead line pointing left to effectively nothing - I think that is what is causing the 'unsatisfying' element to the image. Try cutting off the left hand 1/3rd somewhere around the bright white balls shaped cloud formation to reduce the leading line.
hope this helps
Mike