divya

Amelia,  This is a leapord short for me that captures the skin pattern and animal posture very well.  The photograph is sharp providing good details on the skin and the parallel alignment with the tree trunks is providing a good composition.  Unlike other shots, where animal eyes are facing camera, this side posture, in my opinion, shows the softer side of the big cat.  Very nice shot.

Rgds,

Divya

Margo,  Thanks for explaining how you got to this wonderful and unique shot.  Along with a good shot, you have developed it well to remove the blue sky with a yellow golden light.  I liked the details in the tree with the sun behind but I am not sure about your choice of lesser DoF in the tree.  Still, you created a very good scene.

Rgds,

Divya

Julie,  You were at the right place at the right time to caught this beautiful photograph.  Your use of small f/ stop at 85mm focal length is making the leaf fade on the ear end, making it a perfect frame. Very nice shot.

Regards,

Divya

Mike,  Thanks for your expert comments.  I am trying to understand your comments but not clear what you meant here.  Are you saying that a large f-stop = small aperture is causing diffraction hence reducing sharpness?  I would agree with that statement but given the subject distance from me of less than 7 feet, at 58mm focal length, it is hard to use a smaller f-stop and get a large depth of filed.  Even f/18 is giving me a small depth of field of only 5'2.

It is possible I am not interpreting your statement right.  Can you please help clarify?  Once again thanks for your advise in helping me improve.

Regards,

Divya

Such a nice composition.  I liked the way sand layers are tight in top right corner and opening up diagonally in the front.  The reflection is sharp and at right angle. Beautiful shot.

Regards,

Divya

Good insighful discussion here.  Thanks Jeff, Larry and Irene for sharing your point of view.  I guess, we all agree that ND filter and HDR are two methods of getting the two light conditions in same photograph.  It is also a personal preference to pick one or the other (Would like to know if there is a third method).  I have struggled with similar light conditions while shooting mountain landscapes and have not tried either of the two abovementioned methods yet but plan to try one or both next time I am shooting in these conditions.  People either like or hate HDR and I will make my opinion after I try. 

Ya, Thanks for sharing a good photograph.  It generated good interest and discussion.  

Regards,

Divya

Tracy,  Good image and a good subject.  I liked the sky and angle at which you have shot this bridge.  The only distracting information for me is the noise in the river water.  Did you consider cropping off the noisy part of the water?

Regards,

Divya

Made me smile :).  Good one.  From photographic perspective,  I would have wanted to see this image sharper.  Not sure what settings were used for the shot but sharpness might be lost due to a blur from camera shake. 

Regards,

Divya

Thank you Mike.  This was shot on one of te O'ahu island beaches in Hawaii.  Sea turtles come there to feed on the green grass every day between 10 AM and 3-4 PM during high tide.  Light is very harsh at that time of the day and in respect to the sea life, I maintained good distance for this photograph.  It is fascinating to watch these creatures coming out of sea. 

Regards,

Divya 

and I complete my sentence here - I agree, more depth of field could be achieved with a smaller aperture but a large f stop reduces sharpness.  Here I could increase sharpness and thus detail by lowering f stop by couple or more stops.  Will experiment with my new 24-105 on how low I can get on f stop for the required depth of field.

Mike,  The subject is a very popular location with nature photographers.  It is called "The Wave" and it is located in Coyote Buttes area on border of Utah and Arizona.  The Wave is a sand stone formations with beautiful reds and yellow.  Here is another Photo.net photographer's image of the main formation (http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6056755). 

Regarding your comments on the aperture, I agree, more depth of field could be achieved with a smaller aperture.  Thanks for your insight.  Much appreciated.

Regards,

Divya

Jim, Beautiful shot of Rainier and Tipsoo lake.  What time of the year you took this photograph?  I have been there 3 different years always between July and September and have never found enough water in the lake to capture a good reflection. 

It is a beautiful shot with elements coming together with very still water and beautiful cloud formation.  The only trouble I have is the perspective lost of the height of the mountain against the height of the pines.  Other than that I really enjoyed the photograph.

Regards,

Divya

Can't go wrong with The wave.  Nice composition of looking back from The Wave entrance.  Gives a very nice perspective of this alien landscape.

Nice composition and I liked the green grass and the warm sunlight.  Getting such dynamic range in one shot is challenging.  I believe HDR would have worked well in this scenario.  Good shot though.

Regards,

Divya

Nice colors and very nice composition.  I really liked the background chosen for the northern lights. Were you able to take advantage of the recent solar storm that caused strnger colors up there? Thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Divya

Katie, I enjoyed your presentation in of this picture and the Central park. Unique texture and very engaging.  Creates a fabulous piece of art.  Keep up the good work.

Regards,

Divya

Hadi, An interesting image. I like the composition of tyres against winter snow (I think it is snow) layers in the back.  Nice shot.

Regards,

Divya

The Wave has been photographed so much, it is hard to find a new

perspective. This one is not original but still worth it. Thanks for

sharing your comments.

Dave,  No apologies needed.  Your post was very helpful in understanding your workflow and it is much appreciated.  I added a smily face at end of my comment which didn't show up in the post. Smiles.

Best Regards, Divya

Marsel,  It is hard to get good light and colors, when you are on the other side of these rocks, away from the sun.  You nailed it with just the right light and perspective.  Amazing shot.  Regards, Divya.

I have nothing else to offer other than it is a beautiful shot.  Regards, Divya.

Stephen, I enjoyed the caption and exploring the photograph to understand the meaning of the caption.  It is an interesting composition.  The light must have been low for such a long exposure and you captured just the right details in the grass/trees around.  Nice shot. Regards! Divya

Pedro,  Goegous shot.  At 800 ISO , the picture is still very sharp with no grains.  Details does not show what focal length you took this shot at but at 0.04 seconds, you have captured good details. Best Regards,  Divya