I like them - especially the second. (you have to do as you did to post 2 images using Image Upload - to get them in the same post you have to host them and post links)
Both nice.
I also prefer the second. Getting lower adds to the foreground interest. On my (work=uncalibrated) monitor second appears too blue, too saturated at the bottom, and therefore unrealistic. I agree with Scott about cropping about the branches on right.
Scott G
One more thing.
Appears to be a strange light vertical band on the left starting at the top of the frame. Was there a branch cloned out? Whatever, I'd blend out this element.
Scott Stoness wrote:
I think I would clone out top two branches intruding top right.
Please post the details so we can all learn - filters, tripod, fstop, shutter, where you focused. etc
Scott,
Thank you for your comments. There was no filter or tripod. I was laying on my stomach taking the shot. I thought the fstop and shutter was in the exif. I am at work so I can't confirm. I think about 1/1000 and f/5.6 if memory serves, which it rarely does anymore. I will verify that tonight. Because I wanted it silloetted (sp?) I did not open open for shooting into the sun. Maybe I did a little.
I focused on the branches.
I was hesitant about cropping out branches on top right because it would move tree in background towards the middle. I didn't think about cloning out. Great suggestion! I will try that and maybe repost.
I LOVE the second photo. Actually, this is something I would buy a print of. Very nice composition, color, tone, and depth. I do, however, recommend cloning out the 2 straight branches jutting out at the top right side. Also agree that there appears to be a lighter band of color in the sky area at the top left-of-middle, which is mildly distracting.
I think I like your 2nd post better. The ice on the grass and the foreground seem softer on this latest one. Maybe just a difference in sharpening. Less branches intruding is better though.
Hard to judge. Looks like you have compression artifacts in your last version and lost some sharpening. But I think it might be a bad jpeg. Did you sit a different compression/quality level when downsizing for web?
The second one was better before you reprocessed it, although I do like that the two little branches on the right are gone. The crispness of the original really made me feel the cold, and that's lost in the re-do.
Absolutely lovely picture, I can't imagine laying on my stomach to take this!
Ron,
interestingly, your last re-work does not show the same compression artifacts on my home (higher resolution) monitor. Still, prefer the earlier image.
Take the second (not the rewok), clone the two branches on the right and jack up the contrast somewhat. Take out the color cast, if you wish, or even increase it a little to give it more the feel of being cold.
Check your settings for white balance; if you like the blue cast, leave them alone; I prefer a little warmer cast, and reset to shadow -3.
I agree, in the most recent photo the foreground snow is much softer and I think it loses a great deal in that. I definitely like the other two better. Though, I will also agree that I like the fact you took out the branches on the right
(you have to do as you did to post 2 images using Image Upload - to get them in the same post you have to host them and post links)
