Yellowstone & Teton

Okay, funny you asked me if I took any landscape images John (Mumaw). I am not a landscape photographer at ALL, but I actually did take a few and thought about posting them to see what awesome advice I could get from all the knowledgeable people on this site. When I say I am not a landscape guy...I am not kdding..this is actually the second time I have ever attempted a landscape shot. Still, please be honest on the critique. I want to learn and know I have a wealth of knowledge to help me on here.

All but one shot (Oxbow Bend) was taken with my 500mm and the 1.4 tc attached off a beanbag (I know, not very landscape like). The Oxbow bend shot, was off a tripod with a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 with cable release and mirror lockup. I don't own anything like a graduated filter. I also have been going back and forth about doing a few B&W conversions on a few and will post an example below. Thanks!

#2

#3

#4

#5..this is actually the color version

#6 B&W version with orange filter using NIK SW

and finally the one I am most nervous about...Oxbow Bend (from a wildlife guys point of view (cropped to a 4x5)

That last one is stunning. Nice work!

Kurt,
I am drawn to the colors and patterns in the terraces of #4 in an abstract sort of way, making it my favorite of this set.
In #2, i see a compositon using the right 40% of the image.
Nice cloud layers and variety of colors in Oxbow.

I wouldn't be nervous about that last shot Kurt...I like it a lot!

I really like #5 (in color), the tree is big enough that it provides an interesting counterpoint to the curved lines in the bg. In the first three the trees are too small IMO to be of interest, they just distract from what could have been an interesting abstract (as in #4) if the DOF were there (and it looks like they were shot at 500mm!) I think the comp in the oxbow shot is terrific, and great atmosphere, but the brights are too bright. If the highlites are salvageable, you can easily correct this with a digital gnd. Thanks for the 'brave' post

Thanks a lot for the comments. Stan, I have other shots without the trees that have better DOF than number 4, so that helps a lot to hear. The whites on the histogram don't show hot, do pretty sure I can salvage them, just not real certain how to best use a GND with processing, but I will play around with it and figure it out hopefully. I know it's pretty obvious these are not good shots, but I have to start somewhere if I want to learn this part of photography as well and appreciate the honesty and help.

Of the color Mammoth HS images I like #1 the best, simply because of the wide variation of color shades you have, especially those reds on the top. I think #5 in b&w has a lot of potential, the tree looks good to me for the most part, but I wouldn't mind seeing more contrast in the background especially by darkening the shadows.

Nothing to be worried about with the Moran shot, it's very well composed and the clouds are killer. I wouldn't mind seeing it even darker (with maybe only the exception of the trees) to bring down the whites of the mountain, increase the vividness of the sky/water and to generally just give it more "pop."

I think Stan the Man has it exactly right across the board. I don't know what there is to be nervous about with that last one, I think it's a stunner!

Thanks Todd...I was probably more nervous about the last one because the others were more abstract type pieces and the last one was more of an attempt at a typical landscape shot (one probably 99% of the people on here already have shot themselves) people can use to compare to other shots of the same scene.....and thank you

One thing you brought over from your wildlife photography is a fine sense of composition.
I agree with Stan's very astute eye...you got off relatively lightly!
#'s 4 & 5 are my favorites. I like the b&w conversion in #6 because of the added contrast, but much prefer the muted colors of #5. Perhaps a slight contrast boost in #5?

And then there's your last one. That is one sweet image! I just love the how the peak seems to rise from the clouds!!
If you want to slightly darken the skies, clouds and peak, give this a try:
Layer->New Adjustment Layer->Selective Color.
Open the Selective Color dialog and choose 'Whites' in the Color dropdown window.
Now, move the Black slider to the right to taste. That's it!
While you're there, choose Cyans in that window and move the Black slider to the right and see what you think.

Regardless, you did a terrific job here!!

John, thanks a lot for the tips! Here is a new version. I also decided to move up the magenta, just a tad to balance out the cyan.

Subtle change, but a big improvement...glad I could help.
That Selective Color tool is just plain cool!

Like the close up detail in #4.