BY far the best image is #1 because of the rocks in the water. The second 2 look nearly identical to me, other than a slight shift in position. The first was obviously taken on a different day/time.
I like the warmer look of the first one too. The water is less interesting in the #2 and #3 shots.
I agree. The color and composition of the first one makes it the best. However, the gradient in the upper left section of the frame is distracting. I would prefer to see more evenness in the sky. It would be nice if there were light farther down the mountain, however, for the sun to rise high enough above the mountain behind you to light the bottom of the pictured one, you'd lose the great color of the light. So I guess the logical conclusion is that you need to pick up some dynamite, some construction equipment, and get to moving it out of the way.
Scott Stoness wrote:
Thanks Comsoup: I think I took the ligtening and removing sky gradient way too far when I look at it again.
Yeah I think you did on the repost too. I see nothing wrong with the original process of #1. I don't find the gradient from the polarizer distracting at all. Probably because I've got many like this myself, but I kind of like a non-uniform sky.
The first 1st one. The foreground knocks it outta the park compared to the other two. I'm not crazy about the brightened version, I prefer the silloutte of the trees. Maybe lighten up the rocks a tad, but not at the expense of washing out the reflection.
Interesting, I very much prefer the re-worked version!! It brings out all the detail in the trees and the green colours complement the orange hues on the mountain. There's also much more interesting detail in the water and the reflection still works. Great image!
I definitely prefer the smoother sky in the second version. I'm not sure about the brightness though. Originally I was going to say that I prefer the darker one, but the lighter one has been growing on me as I look at it more. Now the original seems claustrophobic when I go back to look at it. Tough call there.
