I have a similar issue with my Lumix. Rather than learning an incomprehensible tool that came with the camera, I convert the proprietary RAW to TIFF and then use PS and/or Corel.
P.E.I. definitely. Blue sky, white clouds, red sand, sea everywhere. I liked it even when it was raining. But, I shouldn't oversell it, right? ☺
I have a Lumix FZ150. It's a miserable camera when taking shots at the maximum range of the optical zoom. Images are so pixellated as to be unusable. I also have an older Lumix FX30 and it works perfectly at any optical zoom range.
I haven't seen the FZ1000 and I won't look at another Lumix camera.
I have recently looked at the Pentax KS2 and I'm tempted.
Are paints, canvas and bristles technologies to record colours or materials for creating an image, evoke a memory, force a response, send a message?
Makes going to work so much more interesting. But I'm missing the 18-wheelers, the pile-ups, the smoky cars...
#1 is centred, the eye wants to see everything; the colour on the beak matched the feet more than on #2.
Had #3 been the only shot it would have been interesting also. But I like the extra space and the sharp reflection.
The two photographs are exceptional. And you have shown why you're an imaginative photographer who sees something then makes it happen.
(I've been catching up on older Ugly Hedgehog emails)
It definitely is a wonderful shot, 1/15 is just the perfect look.
What camera is giving you ISO 50?
Makes one wonder who put that barn there? And without the barn, there's no picture, really.
For a competition I like the girl on the horse and the misty forest because of the action and the chill in my bones and the probable dew on my arm hair.
I think there will be less competition in the subject matter and you might have an edge.
Nice job on PS, to remove him. ☺
If you try to sell and someone pays you, it's good.
If you spend money for a nice print, then a nice frame, then put it up so people see it it's good.
If you have doubts... maybe not so good.
All art is very subjective.
She's actually a boby builder, this is her training regime. ☺
Subjective ideas; my colour perception is not perfect so I can't rely on choosing colours. I try simple things because I'm looking for something in some of my shots that I can't really identify.
Using PS, I try to find the white spot using the "white eyedropper" rather than the histogram sliders. I may also select the black spot, sometimes both.
The resulting changes give me a visual that helps me define what could be improved - or what I like better. Note that the actual pixel(s) selected may not actually be white.
You may need to zoom out to find the best white or black pixel(s).
For instance:
#1: whitest spots in the clouds or black in the tree shadows
#2: (love this shot - you just had to be there!); white spot possibly on the white of the eyes and black in the deep shadows - maybe a little cropping of the top
#3: it seems overexposed - I would try the black on the feather tips.
I always back up my originals; I save my RAW to TIFF before modifying the TIFF.
As per the comments, everybody interprets photos differently.
RAW is a really good idea. So is a tripod. I would shoot Manual as the light is changing quickly and with the tripod the shutter speed issues are mitigated.
The issue with sunsets is deciding what part of the sunset is appealing to you; the brighter parts of the colours or the reflections or strong shadows in the foreground, etc.
RAW & tripod.
Some post adjustments will give you the perfect end photo.