Stream, Nikko (Japan)

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 20, 201198 views9 comments

I took this a few years ago, handheld on an overcast day. I suppose it would have been better to use a tripod to allow a lower ISO value and smaller aperture, but I was walking with my family and didn't have time.

I'd greatly appreciate any feedback you could provide. I'm still somewhat new at this and have a lot to learn.

Details:

Nikon D70
50mm f/1.8 lens
ISO 800
f/3.2
1/100 sec
NEF; basic post-processing with LR3

Thanks a lot!

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on January 20, 2011 at 6:03 PM

Welcome Peter and wow it looks like an amazing place. Personally, I have no issues with the shutter speed or composition (maybe you could crop slightly at the top) I do think the image looks a bit flat. I think you can bring out the color of the water a little more and add some contrast the rocks as well. Anyways, I am looking forward to seeing more from this spectacular area. Welcome aboard!

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Raymond D Smith on January 20, 2011 at 11:01 PM

Welcome Peter, I think the scene has potential, looks like a fascinating area and agree with Micheal on the processing. Cheers

Registered on January 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 479 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 21, 2011 at 12:35 AM

The textures on the rocks are really cool as is that in the water. Could see developing this more to pull more texture out of the scene over all. Contrast seems a bit low.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Follette on January 21, 2011 at 4:17 AM

Thanks so much for all the comments. I can definitely see what you mean; it did look better on my screen before uploading it, but in any case I can see that there's far too little contrast. I've tried to improve that--and cropped it a bit to remove some of the upper area--in this new version.

It is an amazing place and I'd love to go back one day. But I live in France, on the Cote d'azur, and there's no shortage of wonderful scenery here as well!

Thanks again and I look forward to participating more in this great community.

Cheers,
Peter

Registered on January 19, 2011, 1 Posts, 4 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on January 21, 2011 at 12:11 PM

I like the improvement in the repost. I think it's a bit tight on the LH side, but I do like the sweep of the river.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 21, 2011 at 3:06 PM

Welcome to NPN Peter. The composition is excellent, and the repost is a great improvement. Very pretty.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 22, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Peter,

Sorry I'm a little late with the welcome, but still I'm glad you found NPN and I wish to welcome you to the ES&S/Landscape gallery.

You've captured a very lovely scene and considering the time you had and no tripod, you've done well with the composition. thanks for posting the rework as I agree with the others and I think it is an improvement with the contrast.

And don't worry, we all have a lot to learn and this is a great place for it. Thanks for sharing and we look forward to your images and participation in the forums and galleries.

Welcome aboard!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 23, 2011 at 7:19 PM

Peter - I do like the re-worked image. The tripod will definately allow you many more options and a sharper image. The sculpted rocks look to be an interesting part to focus on. I'm not sure if you will be able to return, but thisw is an image that says lots of potential, maybe with morefoliage on the trees or maybe even a different season. Or maybe, if possible, move closer to those rocks on the left and use them in the foreground. I may be adding too much of my vision of the scene, but there are many options to explore here.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Follette on January 24, 2011 at 3:36 PM

Thank you again to all of you for your very helpful and encouraging comments.

I wish I could return to the area but I was there visiting my brother, who no longer lives in Japan. I love the idea in general of finding a favorite spot and photographing it from different perspectives and with different seasons, times of day, weather conditions, etc. Here in the south of France the landscape is spectacular but I've just recently started exploring it with my camera and have yet to find a suitable such spot (or maybe I just don't yet know how to look).

All the best,
Peter

Registered on January 19, 2011, 1 Posts, 4 Comments