Mono Lake monochrome

I recently got back from a photo trip to the eastern Sierra, and have

been working through a number of photographs. This one seems to be

problematical. At another critique site, one reviewer called it

"flat", but I don't really see that. Of course I'm biased, and ones

tend toward myopia with one's own photos. I'd appreciate any

feedback, and suggestions for improvement.

the hills in back do have a certain sameness of tone which might have led to the "flat" critique. and because they're so dark, it's a very heavy lump of dark grey dominating your picture. i think ultimately the water is more interesting than the hills (unless you're able to get some more lightness out of the hills by developing the print/manipulating the file more, or waiting for a different lighting situation). so tilting the camera downward might have worked.

 

i did a quick crop to focus in on the subject and the water more. it's not perfect composition-wise but it gives you the general idea, i.e. pay more attention to the water and less to the hills.

 

hope that helps.

Funny how everyone's taste is different so that what one person really likes about a photo is exactly the thing that another dislikes. Personally I feel the water is too bright, but I like the depth I get from the rocks to the immediate hill, then a tonal shift to the more distant hills. You may have oversharpened a bit as the rocks look almost pasted on. I am unsure what your other critiquer meant by your photo being flat.

 

John

Another version for you to think about.

for the comments so far. I agree there are other compositional possibilities here. Two things: I think the upper right corner gives needed depth, and b) this photo was taken in low light, just before sunset. The contrast should reflect that.