new member posting

Hello, I've been enjoying your forum for a while and finally decided to join. I've always liked taking nature pictures but mostly for myself so I'm a little unsure about posting them. This appears to be a place to get some good tips from some real pros though so I will give it a try. And it looks like you could use a few more Kansans in your group.

I took this a couple of weeks ago at Big Basin Preserve in Clark Count.


E-1, 14mm, f13, 1/6th -1/2 ev

Thanks for looking.

Hello Ken - nice to see that you're posting! We can always use more Kansans, but I'm not sure how much "pro" advice you'll get, but I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice (for better or worse).

I like the simplicity of this image, as well as the nice colors in the sky. From my POV, I'd say that there's quite a bit of black in the bottom of the picture that I might consider cropping off. Some fo the right-hand side might go since neither area seems to add to the image. But that's the picture I would take, and not necessarily the one you find pleasing. Thanks for posting!

Hello, Ken, and welcome to CSNP (now with more Texas!). I have to agree with Tim on this one. The image has a lot going for it, but there is a little too much image. Try putting a little less weight in the center by following Tim's cropping suggestions. Not that breaking rules can't be fun and often effective, but I would like a tighter crop better. Again, welcome and thanks for posting!

P.S. Can anyone translate the middle part of Tim's comments? "Some fo the right-hand might go......" Late on a Sunday night, and the wine's kickin' in!

Sorry, I'm a bit lexdysic late at night (that, or my fingers are faster than my brain). That should have been "Some OF the right hand side..", but I think you probably figured that out.

Welcome Ken! Great to have a fellow Kansan in the CSNP group! I really like your first post and it sure screams Kansas doesn't it!

I like the cropping suggestions Tim made but I also like the darkened upper corners as shown because it forces you into the subject. Great first post! I'm looking forward to seeing more!

Thanks for joining the best regional forum on this site!

Thanks for all your kind replies. I tried the cropping suggestions and I believe you're right, it is better. That's why this is such a great forum. I guess I liked the color in the sky and that is why I left so much in the first time.

Ken your crop really intensifies the viewer's experience. Still have plenty of great color in the sky and much stronger subject's to dwell on. Great job on the repost!