Morning Lake photos

Bokeh · 05-17-2008, 11:17 PM

Well, I have been shooting on and off with a rebel xt for a couple of years while I played around with photography. I have recently decided to get more serious about my photography which I know will involve effort, time and schooling of some sort. Thats why I ditched the rebel and got a real camera (K10d). :)

So I went down to a local lake close to where I live yesterday morn as the sun rose and snapped off some photos. I have chosen 5 of the ones that really catch my eye and I would like your opinion mainly on the different compositions and which is more pleasing. And please mention why (rule of thirds, etc).

Also any other critique as well will do nicely. The pics were taken at either 100 or 200 ISO. I shoot in M and use the little green button to meter. (God thats freaking handy!). I used the kit lens and contrast is set to +2 and saturation is set to +1.

I know they are all rather similar but again I would like to know which has the most pleasing composition. Not much originality (sun rising over lake with tree) I know but hey...it was there and I shot it. Also, no post production has been done at all. Just straight jpegs from the camera that have been downsized.

Let me know what you think.

Attached Images

Bokeh · 05-17-2008, 11:20 PM

By the way, I really like to use dark spaces, negative space and sillouhuettes. So the darkened ground was intentional. I like it, but does it make a good photo?

Bokeh

Ole · 05-17-2008, 11:23 PM

They are all very nice! I particularly like #1 and #3! #2 should perhaps be cropped from below to move the horizon some more off center.

Bokeh · 05-18-2008, 12:16 AM

Thanks Ole. I like your idea about the horizon. I remember reading somewhere in my self teachings of photography that a horizon line in the middle of a photo was the preferred way to shoot it.

But I have always preferred a very low or very high horizon line. Just adds something to a pic I guess.

Anyone else out there who is wiling to critique these please?

fula6 · 05-18-2008, 02:32 AM

Number 1 and 2 for me - the composition is wonderful and that sky is outstanding.
Regards,
Bill

bbpa103 · 05-18-2008, 04:13 PM

I like the first three shots - great colour. The first shot is my choice - I would crop a bit of the bottom - the curves from left to right lead the eye to the tree nicely. If I had to pick a negative of the last two - the horizon/cloud line intersects the tree top section which for me is a distraction and is missing the nice lead in curve in the first photo. Ken.

**monochrome** · 05-18-2008, 04:52 PM

Bokeh: I tend to do first impression comments, then try to go back using a second window some time later.

#1 and #3 (especially) jumped at me. I call it "made me smile," that is without the artistic skill to describe what is right about them, I thought, "That's a good one." They must be something because normally I don't react to negative space and dark images.

I agree with the crop advice for #2 - contrary to what you have read, I've read that one does not want the horizon in the middle - so your preference, versus what you read, seems better.

The curving shoreline is pleasing to the eye in #1 and #2 and the colors are particularly nice in 1-3.

I'm where you are in terms of time with a digital camera - but you have a natural eye that I lack.

maxwell1295 · 05-18-2008, 05:50 PM

Nice job on all of these, but #1 is scary good!

Bokeh · 05-20-2008, 08:49 AM

Guys, thanks so much for the feedback and comments. Its really great to have a supportive arena of fellow photographers who give tips and encouragement and, when needed, harsh feedback.

Im very happy that my photos seemed to past muster and were pleasing enough to you that you made favorable comments. This is very encouraging and helps me stay in a photographic state of mind.

Now I just have to get out and shoot more.

Thanks again.

Bokeh

timbo13 · 05-20-2008, 11:43 AM

Bokeh, I'm glad you replied to this because I wanted to comment on your pics but I couldn't find them. I like using outlines and sillouettes as well so your pics really appealed to my eye. My favorite is #1, I like where you placed the tree and how big it is in the frame, and the water and sky have a really wonderful color and texture.

thanks for posting them

Tim

axl · 05-21-2008, 12:18 AM

WOW!
I like them, nice work with the dark/negative spaces. I like the first 2 the best, but I'd be tempted to crop the second to landscape mode to leave some of the foreground, but crop out best portion of the sky...
just my 2p

séamuis · 05-21-2008, 02:29 AM

what lake is that? these are wonderful.

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05-17-2008, 11:17 PM	#1
Bokeh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 50	Morning Lake photos Well, I have been shooting on and off with a rebel xt for a couple of years while I played around with photography. I have recently decided to get more serious about my photography which I know will involve effort, time and schooling of some sort. Thats why I ditched the rebel and got a real camera (K10d). :) So I went down to a local lake close to where I live yesterday morn as the sun rose and snapped off some photos. I have chosen 5 of the ones that really catch my eye and I would like your opinion mainly on the different compositions and which is more pleasing. And please mention why (rule of thirds, etc). Also any other critique as well will do nicely. The pics were taken at either 100 or 200 ISO. I shoot in M and use the little green button to meter. (God thats freaking handy!). I used the kit lens and contrast is set to +2 and saturation is set to +1. I know they are all rather similar but again I would like to know which has the most pleasing composition. Not much originality (sun rising over lake with tree) I know but hey...it was there and I shot it. Also, no post production has been done at all. Just straight jpegs from the camera that have been downsized. Let me know what you think. Attached Images

05-17-2008, 11:20 PM	#2
Bokeh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 50 Original Poster	By the way, I really like to use dark spaces, negative space and sillouhuettes. So the darkened ground was intentional. I like it, but does it make a good photo? Bokeh

05-17-2008, 11:23 PM	#3
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,409	They are all very nice! I particularly like #1 and #3! #2 should perhaps be cropped from below to move the horizon some more off center.

05-18-2008, 12:16 AM	#4
Bokeh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 50 Original Poster	Thanks Ole. I like your idea about the horizon. I remember reading somewhere in my self teachings of photography that a horizon line in the middle of a photo was the preferred way to shoot it. But I have always preferred a very low or very high horizon line. Just adds something to a pic I guess. Anyone else out there who is wiling to critique these please?

05-18-2008, 02:32 AM	#5
fula6 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	Number 1 and 2 for me - the composition is wonderful and that sky is outstanding. Regards, Bill

05-18-2008, 04:13 PM	#6
bbpa103 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 169	I like the first three shots - great colour. The first shot is my choice - I would crop a bit of the bottom - the curves from left to right lead the eye to the tree nicely. If I had to pick a negative of the last two - the horizon/cloud line intersects the tree top section which for me is a distraction and is missing the nice lead in curve in the first photo. Ken.

05-18-2008, 04:52 PM	#7
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Bokeh: I tend to do first impression comments, then try to go back using a second window some time later. #1 and #3 (especially) jumped at me. I call it "made me smile," that is without the artistic skill to describe what is right about them, I thought, "That's a good one." They must be something because normally I don't react to negative space and dark images. I agree with the crop advice for #2 - contrary to what you have read, I've read that one does not want the horizon in the middle - so your preference, versus what you read, seems better. The curving shoreline is pleasing to the eye in #1 and #2 and the colors are particularly nice in 1-3. I'm where you are in terms of time with a digital camera - but you have a natural eye that I lack.

05-18-2008, 05:50 PM	#8
maxwell1295 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,703	Nice job on all of these, but #1 is scary good!

05-20-2008, 08:49 AM	#9
Bokeh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 50 Original Poster	Guys, thanks so much for the feedback and comments. Its really great to have a supportive arena of fellow photographers who give tips and encouragement and, when needed, harsh feedback. Im very happy that my photos seemed to past muster and were pleasing enough to you that you made favorable comments. This is very encouraging and helps me stay in a photographic state of mind. Now I just have to get out and shoot more. Thanks again. Bokeh

05-20-2008, 11:43 AM	#10
timbo13 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northboro MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,007	Bokeh, I'm glad you replied to this because I wanted to comment on your pics but I couldn't find them. I like using outlines and sillouettes as well so your pics really appealed to my eye. My favorite is #1, I like where you placed the tree and how big it is in the frame, and the water and sky have a really wonderful color and texture. thanks for posting them Tim

05-21-2008, 02:29 AM	#12
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	what lake is that? these are wonderful.

05-21-2008, 12:18 AM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	WOW! I like them, nice work with the dark/negative spaces. I like the first 2 the best, but I'd be tempted to crop the second to landscape mode to leave some of the foreground, but crop out best portion of the sky... just my 2p