Nature Reservoir

mapleneckblues · 04-23-2010, 02:05 AM

Trying to get the hang of taking landscapes with the 35mm. Would appreciate any constructive criticism especially regarding dof, composition. PP done in lightroom. Images link to the original size image. Thanks!

bw treatment.

jct us101 · 04-23-2010, 02:10 AM

I like the color one a lot more, because I think that the black and white one is losing a lot of detail in the sky, although the foreground looks better in the black and white version. By the way, I live kind of near here (the North Bay anyways) so I know what challenges and benefits these Bay Area hills can prove to be, but I think you got it pretty right in this photo. I don't really like the foreground color in the hills on the first one, but the black and white version makes that look much better, but I would still go with the first photo.

Pentaxie · 04-23-2010, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by jct us101

I like the color one a lot more, because I think that the black and white one is losing a lot of detail in the sky, although the foreground looks better in the black and white version. By the way, I live kind of near here (the North Bay anyways) so I know what challenges and benefits these Bay Area hills can prove to be, but I think you got it pretty right in this photo. I don't really like the foreground color in the hills on the first one, but the black and white version makes that look much better, but I would still go with the first photo.

I concur.
The b&w one seems to be "over-exposed on the top part, and that IMO, caused the picture not so nice.
I prefer the colour one as it shows that the colour is slowly "fading" from the foreground towards the background.
Thanks for sharing.

Cheers.

**Ash** · 04-23-2010, 03:18 AM

Colour for me also - along with the issues noted above, the white balance is slightly off towards the blue end, and could therefore do with an adjustment accordingly. Compositionally, it is pleasant nevertheless.

Tuner571 · 04-23-2010, 06:03 AM

This is a very nice looking shot, but there are a few things that could be fixed. For one I wish that there was more sky in the picture, if some more sky was added I feel that it would better balance the picture as whole. I also noticed that with the little sky that you do have it is almost blown out. On shots like this it is very important to use a circular polarizer to help keep the sky under some control. If that is not working well enough you could always try to use a graduated neutral density filter and that will definitely help in keeping the sky under control. Also I noticed that you posted the color and black and white version; out of those two I really like the color one the best as it just pops with all the amazing green grass. Also, if you use that circular polarizer that I told you about the greens in the grass would look much colorful and natural as well. Other than those things I really do like this photo, it definitely is a very pretty and amazing location and it has loads of potential.

I hope my advice helps you out,
Cory

mapleneckblues · 04-23-2010, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the critique folks! I agree about the sky being a bit washed out. I'll see if I can play around a bit more in lightroom to remedy that to whatever extent I can. Will try to use a circular polarizer or a graduated ndf on my next outing.

**rparmar** · 04-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Call me strange but I like the faded sky on this shot. There is a gradual desaturation towards the back of the image and the sky is part of that. It looks very natural and at the same time like a deliberate choice on your part.

Overall this landscape is very pleasant. The only thing I would look into is the white balance since I find it a bit off.

I notice in the front left some nice mauve wild-flowers in the foreground. This makes me think you could try an alternative shot with more foreground, emphasising the depth of the scene.

What a lovely vista.

04-23-2010, 02:05 AM	#1
mapleneckblues Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 91	Reservoir Lens: smc-fa 35mm f 2 Camera: K-7 Photo Location: Sunol Wilderness, CA ISO: 200 Shutter Speed: 1/750s Aperture: F4.5 Trying to get the hang of taking landscapes with the 35mm. Would appreciate any constructive criticism especially regarding dof, composition. PP done in lightroom. Images link to the original size image. Thanks! bw treatment.

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04-23-2010, 02:10 AM	#2
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	I like the color one a lot more, because I think that the black and white one is losing a lot of detail in the sky, although the foreground looks better in the black and white version. By the way, I live kind of near here (the North Bay anyways) so I know what challenges and benefits these Bay Area hills can prove to be, but I think you got it pretty right in this photo. I don't really like the foreground color in the hills on the first one, but the black and white version makes that look much better, but I would still go with the first photo.

04-23-2010, 02:24 AM	#3
Pentaxie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Photos: Gallery Posts: 429	Originally posted by jct us101 I like the color one a lot more, because I think that the black and white one is losing a lot of detail in the sky, although the foreground looks better in the black and white version. By the way, I live kind of near here (the North Bay anyways) so I know what challenges and benefits these Bay Area hills can prove to be, but I think you got it pretty right in this photo. I don't really like the foreground color in the hills on the first one, but the black and white version makes that look much better, but I would still go with the first photo. I concur. The b&w one seems to be "over-exposed on the top part, and that IMO, caused the picture not so nice. I prefer the colour one as it shows that the colour is slowly "fading" from the foreground towards the background. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.

04-23-2010, 03:18 AM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Colour for me also - along with the issues noted above, the white balance is slightly off towards the blue end, and could therefore do with an adjustment accordingly. Compositionally, it is pleasant nevertheless.

04-23-2010, 06:03 AM	#5
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	This is a very nice looking shot, but there are a few things that could be fixed. For one I wish that there was more sky in the picture, if some more sky was added I feel that it would better balance the picture as whole. I also noticed that with the little sky that you do have it is almost blown out. On shots like this it is very important to use a circular polarizer to help keep the sky under some control. If that is not working well enough you could always try to use a graduated neutral density filter and that will definitely help in keeping the sky under control. Also I noticed that you posted the color and black and white version; out of those two I really like the color one the best as it just pops with all the amazing green grass. Also, if you use that circular polarizer that I told you about the greens in the grass would look much colorful and natural as well. Other than those things I really do like this photo, it definitely is a very pretty and amazing location and it has loads of potential. I hope my advice helps you out, Cory

04-23-2010, 10:49 AM	#6
mapleneckblues Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 91 Original Poster	Thanks for the critique folks! I agree about the sky being a bit washed out. I'll see if I can play around a bit more in lightroom to remedy that to whatever extent I can. Will try to use a circular polarizer or a graduated ndf on my next outing.

04-25-2010, 07:36 PM	#7
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Call me strange but I like the faded sky on this shot. There is a gradual desaturation towards the back of the image and the sky is part of that. It looks very natural and at the same time like a deliberate choice on your part. Overall this landscape is very pleasant. The only thing I would look into is the white balance since I find it a bit off. I notice in the front left some nice mauve wild-flowers in the foreground. This makes me think you could try an alternative shot with more foreground, emphasising the depth of the scene. What a lovely vista.