Landscape Watson Lake -- Your Favorites?

Watson Lake -- Your Favorites? · 09:56 AM

Hi All,

Been a while since I've posted. After a cross-country move from Arkansas to Arizona, I'm just now starting to get out and shoot a bit. I'm glad to see some familiar names still on this forum, and hope you all are doing well.

If possible, I'd appreciate some feedback on which of the following photos you prefer and why.

Thank you!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

christophleipzig · 12-10-2010, 10:57 AM

Nice work!

I for myself would prefer the first and the last one. The first one cause of it's slight different composition - the foreground stones are a bit more complete. (Would like to see a version just without them).

And the last, cause the clouds form a better composition too - clearer diagonals and no cut line.

It looks like you can sit there for hours... I am curious about the smell and the sounds at this place.

Jimbo · 12-10-2010, 11:17 AM

For me its #4 because of the composition and lighting. The top three lack foreground interest and the horizon is too centered unloike the fourth image where your eye flows around the image. JIM

**Tamia** · 12-10-2010, 01:45 PM

#3 is the one I keep returning to... the warm tones of the rounded fissured rocks, the well defined clouds, the slightly darker overall tone, and the duck all make it my favorite.

sajmmiller · 12-10-2010, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by christophleipzig

Nice work!

I for myself would prefer the first and the last one. The first one cause of it's slight different composition - the foreground stones are a bit more complete. (Would like to see a version just without them).

And the last, cause the clouds form a better composition too - clearer diagonals and no cut line.

It looks like you can sit there for hours... I am curious about the smell and the sounds at this place.

Thanks for your feedback!

Watson Lake is a nice place to explore and spend time. This spot is about a mile walk and is pretty quiet other than noises made by various waterfowl. As far as smells...just fresh desert mountian air.

sajmmiller · 12-10-2010, 05:46 PM

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your comments. I felt a foreground was needed, but from this location was grappling with tripod placement and how much foreground to include without making it distracting. I'm not sure I understand your comment about the horizon, because #4 looks to have the most centered horizon.

sajmmiller · 12-10-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by Tamia

#3 is the one I keep returning to... the warm tones of the rounded fissured rocks, the well defined clouds, the slightly darker overall tone, and the duck all make it my favorite.

Hi Tamia,

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I like #3 too for some of the same reasons you mention. I wish I could combine the best elements of the first three photos...the light and cloud formations were changing quickly.

slowpez · 12-11-2010, 08:00 AM

Number ! has the clouds but the lighting on the 2nd one is really nice, especially on the rock formations on the right. The 3rd has the best of both worlds plus the V made by the duck. So, I also choose number 3 although they are all beautiful shots. Of the last two, the last one is my favorite. The cloud formations make it for me.

Bramela · 12-11-2010, 11:53 AM

My choices are :

#3, I like the lighting, and actually like the V on the water made by the bird.

#5 : Prefer the light in this one compared to the other. Slightly better exposure, as I see it.

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 12-11-2010, 02:43 PM

Nice to see you posting again Scott. As for the images, #3 for better contrast and #5 for a cleaner sky.

sajmmiller · 12-12-2010, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by slowpez

Number ! has the clouds but the lighting on the 2nd one is really nice, especially on the rock formations on the right. The 3rd has the best of both worlds plus the V made by the duck. So, I also choose number 3 although they are all beautiful shots. Of the last two, the last one is my favorite. The cloud formations make it for me.

Thank you for your detailed thoughts Susan! I had some of the same thoughts, so your post is reassuring.

SMPhoto · 12-12-2010, 12:43 PM

Hi Scott! Nice to have another Arizona forum member. I will actually be making the trip up to Prescott for some shopping later this week!
I prefer #3 and #5, for the reasons others have mentioned. Lighting, composition, and the V the bird makes in #3 really does add a cool touch as Susan and Bruce mentioned.

-Matthew

sajmmiller · 12-12-2010, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by Bramela

My choices are :

#3, I like the lighting, and actually like the V on the water made by the bird.

#5 : Prefer the light in this one compared to the other. Slightly better exposure, as I see it.

I appreciate the feedback Bruce!

Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann

Nice to see you posting again Scott. As for the images, #3 for better contrast and #5 for a cleaner sky.

Hi Heinrich,

I appreciate your comment. I was torn between #4 and number #5, but I'm leaning towards number five because of the light and sky. Hope you are doing well.

**Sailor** · 12-13-2010, 06:28 AM

Another vote for number 3, but 4 is very close.

Jer

sajmmiller · 12-13-2010, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by SMPhoto

Hi Scott! Nice to have another Arizona forum member. I will actually be making the trip up to Prescott for some shopping later this week!
I prefer #3 and #5, for the reasons others have mentioned. Lighting, composition, and the V the bird makes in #3 really does add a cool touch as Susan and Bruce mentioned.

-Matthew

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for commenting. Yes, it's nice to know another Pentaxian in N. Arizona! I've been wanting to do some shooting over in your area. Hopefully, I'll be able to start venturing a little further afield this Spring. I have much exploring I wish to do in Arizona.

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12-10-2010, 10:57 AM	#2
christophleipzig Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 318	Nice work! I for myself would prefer the first and the last one. The first one cause of it's slight different composition - the foreground stones are a bit more complete. (Would like to see a version just without them). And the last, cause the clouds form a better composition too - clearer diagonals and no cut line. It looks like you can sit there for hours... I am curious about the smell and the sounds at this place.

12-10-2010, 11:17 AM	#3
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	For me its #4 because of the composition and lighting. The top three lack foreground interest and the horizon is too centered unloike the fourth image where your eye flows around the image. JIM

12-10-2010, 01:45 PM	#4
Tamia Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Here, there, and everywhere. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,384	#3 is the one I keep returning to... the warm tones of the rounded fissured rocks, the well defined clouds, the slightly darker overall tone, and the duck all make it my favorite.

12-10-2010, 04:15 PM	#5
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by christophleipzig Nice work! I for myself would prefer the first and the last one. The first one cause of it's slight different composition - the foreground stones are a bit more complete. (Would like to see a version just without them). And the last, cause the clouds form a better composition too - clearer diagonals and no cut line. It looks like you can sit there for hours... I am curious about the smell and the sounds at this place. Thanks for your feedback! Watson Lake is a nice place to explore and spend time. This spot is about a mile walk and is pretty quiet other than noises made by various waterfowl. As far as smells...just fresh desert mountian air.

12-10-2010, 05:46 PM	#6
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Hi Jim, Thanks for your comments. I felt a foreground was needed, but from this location was grappling with tripod placement and how much foreground to include without making it distracting. I'm not sure I understand your comment about the horizon, because #4 looks to have the most centered horizon.

12-10-2010, 06:59 PM	#7
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tamia #3 is the one I keep returning to... the warm tones of the rounded fissured rocks, the well defined clouds, the slightly darker overall tone, and the duck all make it my favorite. Hi Tamia, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I like #3 too for some of the same reasons you mention. I wish I could combine the best elements of the first three photos...the light and cloud formations were changing quickly.

12-11-2010, 08:00 AM	#8
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,461	Number ! has the clouds but the lighting on the 2nd one is really nice, especially on the rock formations on the right. The 3rd has the best of both worlds plus the V made by the duck. So, I also choose number 3 although they are all beautiful shots. Of the last two, the last one is my favorite. The cloud formations make it for me.

12-11-2010, 11:53 AM	#9
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	My choices are : #3, I like the lighting, and actually like the V on the water made by the bird. #5 : Prefer the light in this one compared to the other. Slightly better exposure, as I see it.

12-11-2010, 02:43 PM	#10
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	Nice to see you posting again Scott. As for the images, #3 for better contrast and #5 for a cleaner sky.

12-12-2010, 10:55 AM	#11
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by slowpez Number ! has the clouds but the lighting on the 2nd one is really nice, especially on the rock formations on the right. The 3rd has the best of both worlds plus the V made by the duck. So, I also choose number 3 although they are all beautiful shots. Of the last two, the last one is my favorite. The cloud formations make it for me. Thank you for your detailed thoughts Susan! I had some of the same thoughts, so your post is reassuring.

12-12-2010, 12:43 PM	#12
SMPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Gallery Posts: 185	Hi Scott! Nice to have another Arizona forum member. I will actually be making the trip up to Prescott for some shopping later this week! I prefer #3 and #5, for the reasons others have mentioned. Lighting, composition, and the V the bird makes in #3 really does add a cool touch as Susan and Bruce mentioned. -Matthew

12-12-2010, 05:24 PM	#13
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bramela My choices are : #3, I like the lighting, and actually like the V on the water made by the bird. #5 : Prefer the light in this one compared to the other. Slightly better exposure, as I see it. I appreciate the feedback Bruce! Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann Nice to see you posting again Scott. As for the images, #3 for better contrast and #5 for a cleaner sky. Hi Heinrich, I appreciate your comment. I was torn between #4 and number #5, but I'm leaning towards number five because of the light and sky. Hope you are doing well.

12-13-2010, 06:28 AM	#14
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,203	Another vote for number 3, but 4 is very close. Jer

12-13-2010, 10:47 AM	#15
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by SMPhoto Hi Scott! Nice to have another Arizona forum member. I will actually be making the trip up to Prescott for some shopping later this week! I prefer #3 and #5, for the reasons others have mentioned. Lighting, composition, and the V the bird makes in #3 really does add a cool touch as Susan and Bruce mentioned. -Matthew Hi Matthew, Thanks for commenting. Yes, it's nice to know another Pentaxian in N. Arizona! I've been wanting to do some shooting over in your area. Hopefully, I'll be able to start venturing a little further afield this Spring. I have much exploring I wish to do in Arizona.