Blue Lake (a cold one at that)

[biggerry]

I always recognized that taking and processing images with snow in them would be tricky - I am keen for some feedback on a few of these in particular with regard to colour balance / white balance.

Thoughts, good, bad, brown or offwhite ?

The start of long walk (thru water:) )

[aim54x]

Cant comment about colours...but these are looking very nice!

[Geoff M]

I am looking at these on an uncalibrated laptop screen so take that into consideration with my comments.

Addressing the white balance I think they all look OK with exception of perhaps #2 where the snow looks a little grey.

#1 Nice compo and leading lines. The angle of the hill on the right gives me a feeling that the horizon is not level - but of course it is not the case.

#2 is very nice and while I like the water movement in #1 this image has more appeal with the slower shutter speed and the resultant mikly water effect. I reckon some judicial cropping to just above the grass stems in the lower left would make the compo stronger but to keep the same aspect ratio (which I think you need) will of course remove some detail from either the left, right or both sides. This would possibly detract from the image.

#3 is my pick of the bunch, nice compo, reflection, cloud formation, green stuff , its got everything going for it.

#4 I like too. do you have a landscape orientated version with this inlet/outlet in the same position within the frame?

[stubbsy]

Gerry

Like Geoff I think only #2 has real WB issues - a bit on the blue grey side on my monitor (perhaps even a magenta hint). Likewise the water.

Compositionally though #2 is the standout. Oddly #3 which should appeal doesn't and I hate to say it, bit I think it's the crop. I'd have liked more rule of thirds with the reflecting line on the lower third I think.

The last image needs a focal point (someone / something at the snow line perhaps) as my eye jumps between the top and bottom halves which are essentially two very different images in their own right.

[aim54x]

I am happy to confirm what Stubbsy has said RE WB

[Remorhaz]

Lots of WB feedback already

As far as like factor for the images - for me they got better as we went down.

The first doesn't do anything for me, the second is better - but it's really the silky water which is doing it for me - I actually like a horizontal pano crop of the middle!

The third - no we are talking - I unfortunately don't agree with Peter with the ROT crop - I like seeing the pebbles clearly at the bottom

... and #4 is the winner for me - I reckon there's the tiniest tinge of magenta/brown in the clouds just up from the middle and in the grass at the bottom (but not the snow) - nothing onerous for me tho

[robert]

As far as like factor for the images - for me they got better as we went down.

The first doesn't do anything for me, the second is better - but it's really the silky water which is doing it for me - I actually like a horizontal pano crop of the middle!

The third - no we are talking - I unfortunately don't agree with Peter with the ROT crop - I like seeing the pebbles clearly at the bottom

... and #4 is the winner for me - I reckon there's the tiniest tinge of magenta/brown in the clouds just up from the middle and in the grass at the bottom (but not the snow) - nothing onerous for me tho

Same, really like the 4th though can see the point about lack of focal point- but personally i find that a very hard task- sometimes you just have to use the lines (stream) to lead to something beyond (the vista). I think thats what' separates my shots from ones that grab your attention. Kind of like my shots are just digital reproduction and not quite something artisitic and interpretive of the scene.

Unlike the Seascapes which commonly use the ND, this set has got me wanting something heavier than just my polariser dropping a few stops. Dont think i need varaible but something like an ND400.
Nice stuff Gerry,

Robert

[biggerry]

Thanks for the feedback regarding the WB/colour issues guys, its appreciated.

#2 is very nice and while I like the water movement in #1 this image has more appeal with the slower shutter speed and the resultant mikly water effect.

but it's really the silky water which is doing it for me

silky water lovers

I reckon some judicial cropping to just above the grass stems in the lower left would make the compo stronger but to keep the same aspect ratio (which I think you need) will of course remove some detail from either the left, right or both sides. This would possibly detract from the image.

Yes, I see where your coming from here, I will have a look at that and see ho wit plays out with the top side too, cheers Geoff.

- I actually like a horizontal pano crop of the middle!

a crop from the middle ehh.. interesting, whilst not quite what you are referring to the image below does play on that wider view a bit more.

#3 is my pick of the bunch, nice compo, reflection, cloud formation, green stuff , its got everything going for it.

cheers Geoff, just needs a wider view imo.

#4 I like too. do you have a landscape orientated version with this inlet/outlet in the same position within the frame?

I do, however have not yet processed it, it did not jump out at me, I will however have a look and advise

Compositionally though #2 is the standout. Oddly #3 which should appeal doesn't and I hate to say it, bit I think it's the crop. I'd have liked more rule of thirds with the reflecting line on the lower third I think.

I agree regarding the 3rd, I actually thought I had taken a few more frames extra on both sides but seemed to have a brain fade at the time and missed half teh shots - the original intent was a wider pano which may have given a different impact (better) for the position of teh horizon.

The last image needs a focal point (someone / something at the snow line perhaps) as my eye jumps between the top and bottom halves which are essentially two very different images in their own right.

Fair call - i will bring a blow-up model next time (thats all I could probably carry )

Thanks for the feedback Peter.

The third - no we are talking - I unfortunately don't agree with Peter with the ROT crop - I like seeing the pebbles clearly at the bottom

Thanks Rodney, the super clear water and the subsurface matter was a primary part of this shot, however as mentioned, is was meant to be much wider which I think would have changed the impact for teh better.

... and #4 is the winner for me - I reckon there's the tiniest tinge of magenta/brown in the clouds just up from the middle and in the grass at the bottom (but not the snow) - nothing onerous for me tho

Cheers, a little selective adjustment and I will get rid of that.

Unlike the Seascapes which commonly use the ND, this set has got me wanting something heavier than just my polariser dropping a few stops. Dont think i need varaible but something like an ND400.
Nice stuff Gerry,

Robert, the world of ND's is a bit addictive for a number of reasons, one of which is the ability to really change the way a scene appears without banging it on the head with PP. If you have grad filters etc I would strongly recommend the slide in ND filters, they are much more user friendly than the circular screw in ones which can be overly annoying to use. This is where the vari-ND is good cause you can still compose with it on.

I have merely learnt to compose without looking thru the camera and taking one or two test shots at high iso to confirm, it works OK now but is still annoying.

Thanks for looking and commenting mate.

[stubbsy]

The last image needs a focal point (someone / something at the snow line perhaps) as my eye jumps between the top and bottom halves which are essentially two very different images in their own right.

Fair call - i will bring a blow-up model next time (thats all I could probably carry )

As long as that's the sole use for the (ahem) model Gerry

[biggerry]

I reckon some judicial cropping to just above the grass stems in the lower left would make the compo stronger but to keep the same aspect ratio (which I think you need) will of course remove some detail from either the left, right or both sides. This would possibly detract from the image.

I like too. do you have a landscape orientated version with this inlet/outlet in the same position within the frame?

wider


and wider