Sunset at the Lake

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 5, 201169 views6 comments

I go fishing at this little cove in my kayak all the time. I always see this huge piece of driftwood and thought i would try to capture it. It didnt turn out really the way i wanted it too but its still cool to me.

Nikon D200
18-55mm vr lens @18mm f/22
iso 100
handheld with 1/20 shutter speed

Advice and critiques welcomed. Im very new to this hobby but im loving it so far.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on March 5, 2011 at 6:22 PM

nice sunset (rise?) colours John. I think a little more foreground pebbles and less sky at the top might have worked better for you. Also maybe a little more light on your driftwood. A tripod and gnd or two exposures blended would have given you more what you were wanting. ( 1/20th handheld even with VR is a big ask) Nice scene though and worth putting more time into.

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on March 5, 2011 at 6:27 PM

Welcome to NPN John. Sweet comp. I think you could open up the shadows a bit more and bring down the highlights a bit. Try using a contrast mask. Pretty amazing work for a handheld shot in this kind of light.

Michael

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on March 5, 2011 at 10:35 PM

Nice composition. I agree with the comments already given. Keep at it and it will only get better.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on March 5, 2011 at 10:47 PM

The nice warm colors in the sky and it's reflections work really well with the cool blue overall feel. I love the driftwood but, as Neale said, you might have got more light and more detail using a graduated nuetral density filter. Great composition. I look forward to seeing more of your work

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 6, 2011 at 12:20 AM

The wood is very sculpturesque, John. I can see why you're attracted to it. How'd you handle this light so well? I like the colors and textures you have in this.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 8, 2011 at 12:50 AM

John,

Welcome to NPN and the Landscape/ES&S Gallery!

This may all be new to you, but it looks like you've picked on some good habits already because I really like the composition here and the placement of the interesting driftwood. You did well to retain some detail and texture in the wood - especially considering the time of day and direction of the sun/light.

The location looks like a great place. And since you say you frequent this spot often, I would suggest a morning image from this same location. You could get some front lighting on the wood as well as perhaps some colors in the western sky - perhaps some of earth's shadow.

The only nit I have would be to fix your sensor dust spots before posting. I see a couple in the sky. Otherwise, nice job processing.

Welcome aboard and we look forward to your images and participation.

Lon

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