[bobculshaw]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post and I would really appreciate your critique of this photo. It was one of those situations - couldn't miss it but had no tripod. Risked it hand held and am reasonably pleased with the outcome. I have cropped slightly that is all.

In terms of technique, could I have obtained a different effect with more detail in the shadows - if so how? Could it be cropped even further to improve?

All comment would be greatly appreciated - I have much to learn.



bobculshaw

[Dabhand16]

I don't think you need any more shadow detail. A lower viewpoint might have made a better seperation between the horizon and the central trees, (and there again, it might not!).

Perhaps a crop of about 50% of the sky would be beneficial.

[skipper954]

I agree totally with Dab about the tree and horizon. A crop of a bit of the sky would also move the horizon off midline, which is desirable.

It appears to me that there could be more detail in the shadows, particularly the nearest one. There are a few ways to bring out detail if it is there in the pixels, and a lot of people are more knowledgeable that I.

But if you have photoshop cs2 or more, then shadow/highlight might work. Dodging might work. Making a layer of the shadows then using curves or levels might work.

I have never had a problem adding my thoughts, even if they are imperfect

Now then, this is a really beautiful image. I like the tones and content. Lets see some more, and welcome to the board.

skip

[Foxesbrew]

I think cropping the top would improve the image,but any other work would be detrimental to a really lovely ;mage.

[nichpr]

Crop the top or Crop the bottom? Scrolling up and down, I think you have a better comp with the botton 1/4 cropped off (at the first black band from the bottom). This will put your subject (the large tree IMO) close to one of the thirds and preserve the beautiful tones in the sky.

- Paul

[Dabhand16]

Isn't it amazing how we all see things differently? I like the texture of the bottom of the frame so would crop the top!

The picture would work either way, but we have opposing preferences.

[P-E]

Nice image........I would crop the right hand side taking out the dark tree

[chickadee]

really like your composition , as for cropping i really dont think you are going to improve this image by cropping anymore, as with the tree there you are not going to gain much by cropping top. However i probably would apply the rule of thirds when taking an image like this , (and not take third from tree top) .also going down lower to take shot would work just as well. As for cropping from bottom ,same thing ,you will loose effect .Also i may of taken whole water hole instead of missing edges .Again all comments are only our personal thoughts. Great image ,look forward to seeing some more.

[skipper954]

Amazing how we can dissect the crop.

[Rob Barron]

I am with Paul, I would leave that beautiful rich sky exactly as it is but I would crop off the bottom to the first thick black band as I don't think the picture needs that first bit, though it is not a distraction so I can entirely understand others who would keep that. I think the sky could stand a couple of centimetres at the top without losing any of that richness so all in all you'd have one which has a single focal point of interest with gorgeous colours surrounding it.

Lovely picture whatever you do so well done :o)

Cheers,
Rob

[bobculshaw]

Thank you everybody for your advice regarding this picture - to say it was interesting to see so many different views about cropping the image. I have tried cropping off the bottom as suggested to the first 'black line' and I was not happy with it. Whilst it assisted the thirds principle it seemed to detrimentally affect the balance I was attempting to create - so, so difficult! Thanks for the advice about taking the shot lower - had not thought of that!
Thank you for your generous comments. I look forward to submitting other work.
bobculshaw

[Markulous]

Crop or not to crop? I wouldn't - or maybe as P-E suggests: the RHS!

Maybe a little too much black (and I doubt you'll pull any detail out of that without another more exposed image) and the middle tree looks a little blurred (maybe a little burning to emphasise) but a lovely graduated sky and colour