Made the most of some nice weather a few days back and headed to a wood about half an hour from me, first time there so wasn't sure what to expect. I came across this small lake and took several pictures however the shutter speeds I was getting were so fast it was freezing the water so you could see the ripples caused by the slight wind that was blowing. I stuck on an ND filter and a GND filter to balance out the sky/reduce the shutter speed and the result was a speed just slow enough to remove the ripples in the water and give an almost mirror finish to it. I framed the horizon in the centre as I wanted to make the most of this lovely reflection, the few shots I took with an off centre one didn't work as well. You really feel like you can fall in to the picture when you view the high res version!
I'm not sure what the small wooden structure is, it looked like some kind of weather beaten bird feeder/shelter.
This was my first time using filters and I've only just started practicing landscape photography but having great fun in doing so :)
D200 with Nikkor 12-24 DX, 1/20 second at f14, 14mm
Thanks for the comments guys. Paul I love the D200, its a superb bit of kit, the only problem with getting it was I felt it needed some lenses worthy of it so ended up going on a bit of a shopping spree, oops...!
Superb composition and a very co-operative cloud formation! The filter use has been controlled quite well, as it appears as though exposure of the sky matches that of the reflected sky.
My only nit, however, is the colour difference between the real sky and the reflection - the reflected clouds (the big ones at the bottom) have a yellow-brown colour, whereas the corresponding real clouds are a blue-grey. SHould be fairyl straightforward to correct this in PS.
I like this shot a lot, I cannot quite decide why, I think what makes it different is the middle line being golden and curved, it just draws my eye right in.
Michael, I noticed that colour difference too, its because the water was very shallow near the bank and I think its the mud underneath the water changing the colour, thats what it looks like on the full size one at least :)
Posted by Colin Pickett on March 5, 2006 at 12:23 PM
Hi Richard
Nice to see you getting out and about using your new toy, this is a very good shot.
Nicely composed with a great and great reflection. The hut thing in the water acts as a good focal point in the image which helps it I feel. The symetrical reflections of the trees along the shore is also good.
A central horizon line is usually not the best position in a shot but for a good sky and reflection image like this a central horizon often has the most impact.
Good use of ND as well to control the exposure, well thought of.
Discussion
10 repliesI'm not sure what the small wooden structure is, it looked like some kind of weather beaten bird feeder/shelter.
This was my first time using filters and I've only just started practicing landscape photography but having great fun in doing so :)
D200 with Nikkor 12-24 DX, 1/20 second at f14, 14mm
Btw how are you finding the D200, i've just got one my self and must admit i'm really liking it.
great stuff a very nice picture.
John
Aberdeen
Cracking cloud formation, and a well seen composition.The dark cloud and shaded trees add a nice touch of mood to the shot.
Works nicely for me.
Alan
My only nit, however, is the colour difference between the real sky and the reflection - the reflected clouds (the big ones at the bottom) have a yellow-brown colour, whereas the corresponding real clouds are a blue-grey. SHould be fairyl straightforward to correct this in PS.
Michael S
T
Michael, I noticed that colour difference too, its because the water was very shallow near the bank and I think its the mud underneath the water changing the colour, thats what it looks like on the full size one at least :)
Nice to see you getting out and about using your new toy, this is a very good shot.
Well done
I like this shot
Nicely composed with a great and great reflection. The hut thing in the water acts as a good focal point in the image which helps it I feel. The symetrical reflections of the trees along the shore is also good.
A central horizon line is usually not the best position in a shot but for a good sky and reflection image like this a central horizon often has the most impact.
Good use of ND as well to control the exposure, well thought of.
cheers
Sean