larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

Caught this this morning. Some mild removal in Photoshop. Emotionally I like it but others may not. Observations and critique please.

Two crops.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

My eye is attracted to the rightward progression of the real and its reflection until it seems to explode darkly at yhe right...no other place for he line of reflection han smack-dab across the middle. I feel that I like it more than, objectively, I should. Sorry, not much help

Impact 3/5
Composition I prefer the top one 3/5
Technique: 4/5 if you intended this effect...but did you? if not, 2/5
I'd really like to hear what you visualized when you made the exposure.

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

Thanks for your input. I saw this as drove in a different direction through a park. The color caught my attention and when I approached the reflection was so apparent. I imagined the ethereal color repeating itself in its reflection and drawing the eye into the centers color. I tried several different exposures, some too light and some too dark. This had the best exposure to me being a little darker than normal but more dramatic and mysterious. As mentioned I removed some distractions such as debris and foreground branches. I hope this answers you question.

Thanks

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

This photograph is as close as I have seen to what I would call 'painting with a camera' in that the photo has a very Impressionistic - Monet in the Garden - feel to it. As most of you know, Impressionists were intreested in capturing light during a second of time, and showing that to their viewers. I think you have done the same thing with your photograph, we see this place, as it was, for the second you were there. Composition of the photo is appropropriate, cropping is to your taste, the only two suggestions I have are that, overall, the photo seems too dark, like it's underexposed and could use a little more light. You said that you tried that, and the result we see is what you liked best - but to me, it still feels a little too dark. My other suggestion is to use the dodge tool, (or something) to add a little more light to the flowers that are already in the sunshine to bring out your centers of interest a little more.

Wow, seeing impressionistic painting done with a camera is a rare treat, and if this is your style, I can't wait to see more of your work. Thanks for posting.

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

Wow! Where do you see all that? Seriously, thank you for your encouragement. I'm working without my main computer so the monitor I use for editing (42") shows my edits much lighter than my regular monitor, I would guess one to two stops lighter. I will certainly try the dodge tool and play with the results.

I went by the same scene today and it looked completely different. I do like the interplay of light in scenes like this. It is fascinating. As to style, I guess if I start to replicate this effect regularly, then it could be called that. Right now it is a happy coincidence.

Again, thank you for your input,
Larry

How's this?