Riverside

Phil, this is an excellent image. I am new to photography, so please take my 'critique' with a pinch of salt. I also don't know the 'unofficial rule' of this forum, but as this is a 'request for critique', I am guessing you are not looking for a membership to the 'mutual admiration soceity'. on that note..

I think this is an interesting photo, and works for me. I am guessing you were trying to capture the reflection of an absolutely wonderful cloud formation reflected on calm water.

Having said that, I wonder if the blue is oversaturated so much, that it doesn't feel 'real'. the blue cast can be seen at  to left corner of the cloud formation. I think, you can use some localised modification to do something about it.

I really like the tranquility in this scene (many of us need that).  I'm not sure whether you've enhanced saturation here; it might just be a tad underexposed.  I think only you can answer that, but the blue in the water does look pretty intense, along with the gold of the vegetation.  But underexposure would produce similar results.  There is some sensor dust showing in the upper right corner.

Hi Phil,

Your colour saturation is much better in this one. Its still got some punch but hasn't gone all blotchy and off-hue like the other one you posted up.

The cloud adds some interest in the sky which is nice and the mirrored effect on the water is always helpful but i still think the image might be lacking a focal point of point of interest. My eye scans around the image and never really lands on anything (eg, a boat). Sometimes when there isn't much in terms of a point of interest the best thing to do is simplify it even further. Sometimes even a change of perspective can help here.

Taking two steps to the right and squatting right down may have provided a different, more simplified result with the cloud as the focal point. Less grass in the water, more reflection, the middle ground (choppy waves in distance) would have been left out, the cloud could have been the interest point in the water as well as the sky. I'm guessing of course not knowing what is out of frame here.

Looks like you're putting yourself in the right spot at the right time though. Next time you get a spot like this take the photograph from 4 different perspectives. Standing, squatting low down, more sky, more water. I think you'll find your photos will improve quickly.

Cheers, Marty