Christopher Sperry Photogr

A beautiful photograph of nature. I like the composition, and the framing of the milkweed. It is a dreamy photograph, and the contrast to the background really sets the main subject on display. This appears to be black&white, with perhaps sepia toning. Not sure, but I like it.

One, or one and a half stops more open aperture would be interesting -- providing a bit more softness to the background. Regardless, a very well done photograph Dennie.

There is so much to think about and enjoy in this panoramic photograph. Wonderful layers create depth, and tell a story of contrast. The lighting is superb, accentuating the textures in the dunes, with a glimpse of life in the foliage. The haziness in the mountains appears as a natural occurrence, as our eyes travel toward the clouds.  A great, well thought-out  composition.

Scott,

The soft light, the graphic form, subtle hues, texture, and your choice of crop -- have resulted in a beautiful photograph of ice coated trees. It's as if the tree limbs in the background appear though a small window. Nice composition. I would bet that it makes a wonderful print.

Chris

Monopod + VR for ambient shots?

Check out this tripod + VR discussion from Nikon.

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7676/~/using-vr-lenses-on-tripod

Monopod + VR would be a separate discussion.

I am drawn to this photograph by the vivid colors. I appreciate that the bird's eye is in sharp focus. This version is cropped -- it would also be interesting to see the original un-cropped version. The colors appear to be highly saturated, but I have never seen a lorikeet. There appears to be some moire pattern in the feathers.

What are your settings -- capture format (raw, jpeg); iso. Any post-processing of interest? My preferrence is realism, so I question the saturation levels. The background is nicely softened, giving the lorikeet good presence in the photograph. Your camera and lens are a winning combination.

The top ten words for unusual colors. I just happened upon this :) --

http://www.merriam-webster.com/top-ten-lists/top-10-words-for-unusual-colors/vermilion.html?&t=1366689329

Stunningly beautiful. Perfect luminance and hue. The small details, where the stem enters the water, and the reflection of the water droplets on the petal add to the enjoyment of the photograph.

You could consider a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens for your D7100. The VR feature, combined with the AF capabilities of the D7100 would let you throw some great technology into the mix. You could shoot hand-held bursts and bracketed bursts, utilizing the VR of the lens. The resolution of the D7100 will allow good cropping opportunities. Fire away!

Beautiful sunsets draw us in, and we feel compelled to photograph them. This is a gorgeous sky. The sea does not anchor the shot for me, and does not add interest. If there were a sailboat, or an island, or a reflection, the sea would add more interest. Try cropping out the sea, and let this be just a shot of the sky -- the light is so nice.

Try again in very low light, drag the shutter, and employ flash with rear curtain sync. You'll never know what you'll get!

Crop this shot heavily at the top and bottom to create a pano.

This is an interesting concept, and I like the rain drops. Some problems for me are the harsh shadows, and an unclear point of focus. There are also some blown-out hot spots here and there. The background color does not seem natural. Try cropping this as a square, and eliminate much of the empty right side of the photograph. Try again in diffused light.

The strong, harsh light seems a main challenge in this photo, in addition to the busy background.  Shooting flowers in direct sunlight washes out colors, creates strong shadows, and distracting highlights. If you don't have cloud cover to diffuse the light, a portable diffuser would help here. You haven't isolated your subject, and without a title, it's not clear what your intent was with this photograph. You could let this one go ...

Mike, thank you. This day was set forth as a day of good light. As I waited for the cloud to drift into position, other clouds diffused the sun nicely. During my wait, a curious mountain goat slipped out of the frame and down the slope. It's a peaceful location, and holds much to be discovered.

Tony, thank you for your appreciative comment. These small nature images are the discoveries that are rewarding to bring home.

Thank you Ruud. I admit that I have mixed feelings about this image, as the black lines are of the asphalt paving beneath the frozen puddle. As a result, this nature photograph is not entirely natural, but rather an unusual interplay of natural and man-made elements.

Jon, thank you for your thoughtful comments. This was an unexpected find on our way through the grandeur of Yellowstone.

I like that you have let the composition stand as shot. The fact that the bars are not level adds a certain photojournalistic drama to the story. You had to focus and shoot quickly, and the slanted bars add tension that goes well with her locked focus upon yourself. I also complement you on the shallow depth of field, and the subtle highlight in the background. Shooting with a manual focus lens at a wide aperture, you nailed it: her face and her eyes are in perfect focus.

Beautiful photograph. I like the subtle hues, and the many textures. The river is so peaceful in this inviting and interesting landscape.

Chris

Very nice photo Jim. An artistic portrayal of the most deciding factor of our car culture. You have created a near Kodachrome moment.

Tanni,

This is glorious light, and I love the mood of your photograph. My eyes travel along the cliffs, then come to rest on the defined shafts of light. Some detail is lost in the shadows of the arch, but I think this represents reality. I would very much like to see this in print. Sevens!

Chris

Excellent composition and an interesting structure. The lighting is well balanced, and the colors are nicely saturated. An experiment could be to softly light the structure with fill flash or a flash light. The structure is a dominant element in the photo, and I feel myself wanting to know more about it.

Thank you for your appreciation of this shot. The kayaker on shore is the safety person, with a carabiner and rope attached to his vest in case he falls in during a rescue. He has a metal pole in his hands for any safety assist.

With the black rock and the white water under full sun, this was a high-contrast photo day. I am a kayaker too, but not this Class V run! You have inspired me to post some more shots from this day. Stay tuned.

I propose considering: Viewing a photograph on a computer monitor generates a different response than the response generated from viewing a printed photograph. I find it intriguing to imagine Waterfall Prism as a framed photograph, perhaps in a gallery, or privately owned. Is not the print still the performance? Chris now has the opportunity to decide upon the medium on which to print. I believe that there are many lovers of art and photography who will enjoy the performance.

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/ansel_adams.html

I love a photograph that tells a story. I see an interplay between the slope of the land, and the shape of the tree -- as if winds have swept down the slope and encouraged the leaning of the tree. I also like the dramatic change in shades of gray as the slope enters the frame. The drama in the clouds provides a wonderful feeling of an impending storm.

Pleasing composition of a beautiful, wild, mountain environment. I love the blue ice and rock, and the melt water that leads the viewer's eye to the mountain.The colors are well balanced. To place yourself here at the edge of the day takes planning and determination. Bravo