Winter Swamp

As always I would appreciate any comment, critique, opinion or anything

else you would like to add. Thanks for taking the time.

I enjoyed your winter landscape photo.  color, lighting, mood etc. My only critique would be to crop out the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 getting rid of the darkest foreground allowing the pond to be closer and more in balance, otherwise the foreground takes up 3/4 of the photo . take care and either way a beautiful photo.

This is a tough shot for two reasons:  the great depth of field and the range of light.  At first, I wanted to agree with Dean about cropping the foreground, because that would enable you (in another shot) to more easily solve the depth of field (also what I'm saying is that this entire shot should be in focus, from the foreground rocks to the shrubs to [hopefully] the clouds).  However, this shot is about "cold," and the foreground contributes greatly to that theme; the blue snow [shade] and ice crystals just say "cold."  Also, this is a swamp, and those patterns of vegetation are an important part of saying "this is a swamp."  So I think the composition is fine; you just need to increase the DOF, at least back to the shrubs.  Either a smaller f-stop, two shots with different points of focus blended together, or a tilt/shift lens would enable you to achieve that greater DOF.  I think your exposure is pretty close (perfect for the foreground, and the upper clouds are great; the horizon might be a little bright).  All IMO, of course.

Very good contrasts of shapes and patterns (the trees and the fence / poles in the background versus the frozen ice-covered grass sods / shrubs in the foreground and so forth) as well as the reflections, in addition, beautiful lights and colors and contrasts of colors impress the viewer implicitly. I like the perspective / angle of view very much as well. BR / Volker