chjohnson

I have posted this image in another unnamed forum, and although the

photo is generally well-received, a common regret among viewers is the

fact that you cannot see the bear's faces. I ask you, is that really

important? Does the photo work as a dynamic representation of bear

conflict without seeing both faces (you can see the right eye of the

lighter bear)? Your thoughts, comments and critiques are welcome.

I like what you are trying to do here, but I think there are a few things that could improve it. First of all, did you use a graduated neutral density filter on the right? The right half of the frame darkens, and there is this dark cloud-like thing on the top that distracts. Anyway, I think this would be a stronger image if you cut out the ground and sky and left us with just the reflections of the people looking at or walking near the wall. A stitched panoramic could be really interesting. Also, the colors seem a bit washed. Perhaps a polarizing and warming filter would have improved your in-camera color saturation. A little post exposure work in PS might help some. Film choice might also be another factor in the color and what appears to be a bit of a grainy presentation. I hope these comments help.

I recently spent part of an evening photographing hooligan dipnetters

along the Turnagain Arm in Alaska. I switched between backlit and

frontlit, close-up and wider landscape shots. This is one of my

favorites becaue of the ligthing, but I am wondering if it is too

tight of a crop. Please comment and provide any other useful

feedback. Thanks.

My first comment has to be on the accuracy of the caption. Mesa Arch is located in the "Island of the Sky" district of Canyonlands National Park, not nearby Arches National Park. It is not a wholly typical composition for the subject, but close enough to the usual composition to be considered average. I agree that it is difficult to be unique in these well-traveled places, and often fall victim to cliches myself. I do like the light and colors, but perhaps a more unique composition, like a vertical, could have captured those qualities while being more original.

What a great catch, no pun intended. I swear, people on this site are so anti-Nature/macro. These types of images rarely generate a response, even when they are as phenominal as this one. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. My only suggestion for improvement would be a vertical composition, and perhaps maybe a slight punch of fill flash, like at -1.0 or even -1.5 compensation; just enough to add a little detail.

Tremendous job on the exposure and lighting; especially since it seems this was a mid-day exposure. You still managed to capture wonderful color saturation. I like the juxtoposition of the larger foreground image with the smaller background image. The only point for improvement would be the cropping on the background flower -- its petals are cut off at the tips on the upper portion.

I have been endeavoring to work more at abstract compositions. This

was a recent macro attempt with several layers of ice, photographed

on an overcast, rainy day. (Yes, rainy in the middle of winter in

Alaska.) I would appreciate feedback on whether this is a successful

or appealing abstract. Comments and ratings are appreciated. Cheers.

I know the vantage point from where you took this picture... Nice approach to the Delicate Arch, rather than the usual. Given the amount of detail in the shaded areas, I will assume you used a graduated neutral density filter. I love the colors and the composition, particularly the four main line patterns running through the image. Nicely done.

It is about darn time a landscape photograph was recognized with POW status. It is particularly fitting that the honor is bestowed upon Atle -- I have been a long time fan of Atle, who I think puts some of the best landscape work on Photo.net. There is wonderful balance in your composition, particularly with how the sun rays shining through the clouds point our eyes to the stones in the foreground. My only suggestion for improvement would be using a 2-stop graduated ND filter to bring out more detail in the foreground.

Hey Andrew. I really like what you did with this slot canyon shot. If I didn't already know what I was looking at, I wouldn't know what I was seeing. Great use of the greyscale to emphasize the lines and texture. Nice transformation of the original image.

Not a traditional moose photo, but I really like it because it is

much more of a fine art presentation, with an emphasis on lines,

shadow and color. I would appreciate any comments and feedback on

this image.

I have been trying to find more ways to create dynamic relationships

and balance in my photos. I was particularly happy with how this

photo turned out and would like your ratings and comment... It helps

to keep me grounded in reality.

Great composition, balancing the buildings with the moon. I also feel that it was important to include the smaller, older buildings in the foreground. Part of the attraction to the Chicago skyline comes not only from the great variety of architecture, but the melding of the new with the old. And, I also like your decision to isolate a small portion of the skyline; most will try to get the whole thing in at once. Perfect exposure.

Definitely not too prominent. Offers a nice balance with the pale sky. Nice weaving of layers and different shades. Great composition and nice exposure.

I am giving this image the benefit of the doubt and assuming that the scan has taken away a bit of the saturation. Really great composition and mood. Nice image!

This image really has a lot going for it. I like the balance between the water and the reeds. I also like the soft pastel colors reflected in the water and the frost on the reeds. Unfortunately, with the lighting, and the scan, it is hard to make out the details in the geese.

Nice use of the fog, great exposure and composition. I feel like I could fall off the edge of the cliff at any moment! Really nice image. My only change would be to remove the grass blades from the lower right -- just a little distracting.

Good job of exposing the scene with the shaded areas and the hot areas. The sunny spots don't look too washed out, and there is a great exposure in the shaded area. Nice composition, too.

Don't you just love photographing down at Portage? The lake, the whole valley -- always great photo ops -- as long as you are not being assaulted by sideways sleet! (Then again, I pretty much like everything down the Turnagain Arm once you get past Beluga Point.) This is simply a fantastic, dramatic image. Great composition and colors. Great job!

I really like this shot for several reasons. First, I appreciate your ability to capture one of these guys on film. Second, I like the DOF. Third, and finally, it is a great documentary shot, illustrating the effectiveness of the natural camouflage. Did you use a little fill flash? (It looks like there is a little catch light in the eye.) If so, good job.

Great job with a tough shot. You must have earned the trust of this parent to get so close without seeing a rear view through the viewfinder. Good timing on the composition -- the loonlet stands out nicely against the white of the parent's chest. Nice color and exposure, too. I am wondering how it would have looked with the lens tilted up just slightly, but I also appreciate that you were probably trying to avoid something in the background or having the waterline at center photo.

What a great shot. I has the first impression of being a really dark, murky place, then you see the splashes of fall colors along the shoreline. Great capture of how really difficult that country can sometimes be!

Great composition and simply wonderful use of that morning light. Nicely rendered.

Very nice work. I like the composition -- you gave us just enough information without overloading by having too wide of a crop. Nice lines and mood.

 

I am impressed that you have such a high times-viewed/ratings ratio (10/1). What is your secret? Even my highest rated photograph, with a composite 16.89, has been viewed 6985 times with only 17 ratings (for a ratio of 411/1). I am glad for you that people are taking the time to comment and rate such a wonderful image. Looks like home...

I can see that you have a love affair with this tree, and I can understand why. I like your decision to shoot with the wider lens, to add more vastness to the landscape and loneliness to the tree.