Posted by Jim Caffrey on January 9, 2009 at 5:54 PM
One of my New Year's promises to myself ( I don't make resolutions; I never keep them) is to become more involved with NPN. So, here is an image from Bosque del Apache taken in late November. Thanks in advance for your comments
Posted by Jim Caffrey on January 9, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Another from Bosque del Apache
Posted by Jeff Sirota on January 9, 2009 at 6:38 PM
I like the both. Here are some small suggestions:
1. Straighten both images -- the horizons seem off a bit in both (more distracting in the top image).
2. It might be nice for symmetry if there was a bit of space between the top image's tree reflection and the bottom aspect of the image (like the space you have in the top between the tree and the top border of the frame). You could clone out the part of the tree's reflection that hits the bottom of the image (and then do the same in the tree itself).
3. Try to bring out some of the shadows in the first image, because the land is not really supposed to be silhouetted as it is in the second image. There looks like there's detail you could bring out of the left side, in particular.
4. I might crop the top image to remove the left-most 20% so that the tree is not as close to center. Maybe not...I'd try it and see, though.
These are minor criticisms, though -- both images are very good. I really like how the tree reflection in the bottom one leads you right to the birds. Great job!
Posted by Dan Walters on January 10, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Besides the suggestions, these are some nice images! I really like the last one.
Posted by Don Grall on January 10, 2009 at 1:05 PM
That second shot is wonderful, very peaceful and compositon is spot-on.
Re: the 1st shot, definitely needs some counterclockwise rotation, but otherwise a very effective shot. The bright sky and reflection makes for a very challenging exposure issue but you handled it as best you can short of using an HDR solution.
Posted by Jim Caffrey on January 10, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Thanks for the feedback. I don't know how I missed that horizon.
Discussion
5 replies1. Straighten both images -- the horizons seem off a bit in both (more distracting in the top image).
2. It might be nice for symmetry if there was a bit of space between the top image's tree reflection and the bottom aspect of the image (like the space you have in the top between the tree and the top border of the frame). You could clone out the part of the tree's reflection that hits the bottom of the image (and then do the same in the tree itself).
3. Try to bring out some of the shadows in the first image, because the land is not really supposed to be silhouetted as it is in the second image. There looks like there's detail you could bring out of the left side, in particular.
4. I might crop the top image to remove the left-most 20% so that the tree is not as close to center. Maybe not...I'd try it and see, though.
These are minor criticisms, though -- both images are very good. I really like how the tree reflection in the bottom one leads you right to the birds. Great job!
Re: the 1st shot, definitely needs some counterclockwise rotation, but otherwise a very effective shot. The bright sky and reflection makes for a very challenging exposure issue but you handled it as best you can short of using an HDR solution.