[Markulous]

I'm fairly happy with this (made sure I kept reflections from interfering with platform which was about in the right place) but wasn't sure about the semi-lit area in bottom left corner

18-50mm @ 22mm, F18, 1/4sec, ISO100, tripod, CP

[TIM]

It is a pity that the shadow falls across the platform the way it does, sure it couldn't be helped, but it detracts from an otherwise superb shot! The sky tree ratio in the reflection is spot on.

[nichpr]

I really appreciate shots like this because I know how tough it is to find that right combination of weather (sunny with no wind) that makes them possible. Given the angle of the shadows, I'm going to guess that is an early morning shot. I wonder how long you would have had to wait for the sun to move enough to illuminate the plateform and the rest of the foreground. When I find an opportunity like this and realize I need to wait for the sun to chase some shadows away - by the time it does, the wind picks up and ruins the reflection. So much of what we do depends on luck and timing. Skill and processing can only do so much.
That said, I like the foreground (well lit or not) - these kind of shots tell a so much more complete story when there is something in the forground to tell the viewer where they are so they can put themselve "in the picture." I was trying to imagine what this shot would look like if there were an old bamboo cane pole propted against a bait bucket on that fishing plateform.

[mileseye]

This is a great shot, i really like it. As the others have said the shadow does distract from the overall effect but I think cropping it so that the bottom corner of board just touched the edge of the photo would help. The only other thing is that i would liked to have seen more of the tree on the far left and less of the right hand side of the picture. All said, a superb shot, well done.

[fionaB]

a lovely shot.. the tree trunks are atad bright i feel.. i almost squinted looking at it.
love the composition of it although i am taken to wonder what it would have looked like from a lower angle?

all in all a cracking image tho.

Fi

[Charlotte]

This is a lovely scene. It is a tad bright, but understand you had to compromise a bit to get the FG shadow detail, however I don't think the FG detail is as important as the trees, but hey you had to make a decision.

I too find myself looking out of the frame on the LHS to visually complete the half-trees. I don't understand your framing it this way, as there is room on the RHS for you to have shifted slightly left + not lose anything on the RHS.

I keep wanting to brush aside the overhanging branches at the top of the frame.

I don't see the platform itself as contributing much to the image. I realise you've placed importance on the platform - it's not only in, but is the title - but I have to say that I'm drawn only by the trees + reflection here. The FG + overhead branches are distracting for me. If you couldn't get to a viewpoint which excludes the platform, I'd like to see it completely in shadow, rather than sunlight, so's to reduce its prominence in the image, rather than compete with the trees/reflection for attention (if sunlit).

The scene is so beautiful that I'd really like to see you shoot this again Mark, but more with your usual attention to detail

[skipper954]

I am a bit confused about this shot. At first look, I glanced at the platform, didn't like the shadow, then my eye went directly to the trees and their reflection. So, I think that the trees are the focus of the shot. My first thought about them was how smooth the lake was and how the reflection was perfect, even better than the trees themselves.

This is a tranquil but yet a powerful image. The trees give a feeling of strength and timelessness, and the center diagonal one is wonderful. Perhaps, as Charlotte says, a crop of the partial tree on the lhs would work better.

Finally, I like the fg branches above and the darker fg below. They sort of frame the trees. Just another way of looking at it

skip

[Rob Barron]

First of all, I must just say this is a beautiful shot so even though i have pimped it very slightly, I love the original as well.

My only concern in the shot was that the shadow bottom left gives way to a bright area in the bottom left corner which pulls the eye down slightly. I have therefore cropped it just a touch to take out the 'half tree' on the left and to get rid of the lighter area at the bottom. This has moved the platform over slightly which I prefer and I added a VERY minor S-curve to just push the contrast very minimally.

Beautiful picture Mark, well done.

Cheers,
Rob