It was a watercolor kind of morning (Page 2): Thank you kindly, Billy.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Billyspad wrote:

It a lovely scene and nicely treated in post. Sorta thing we would all crop differently so for my two cents worth i would get rid of weeds at the front by cropping up some and cloning out the rest and crop in from the right just to compress the scene a little. But as I said give this to a dozen people and you end up with a dozen crops. Its nice as is so maybe just listen to no one and follow your first thoughts.

Thank you kindly, Billy.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

minniev wrote:

Beautiful scene with great visual balance of the e... (show quote)

Thanks so much, Minnie. I could certainly work on that while watching baseball playoffs

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

rlaugh wrote:

I really really like this shot and your work on it!! I too would remove the bird on the left, but for me the reeds give a sense of size and distance, and a comparative anchor...definitely leave the buildings on the far side, also a comparative tool! It has a soft, dreamy, feel to it! I really like it!

Thanks so much for your time and feedback, Bob. Glad you enjoyed!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

TheeGambler wrote:

Linda, I think you met your goal of going for "spacious!" It does give a feeling of soft, dreamy, space.. I like your processing a lot! It really makes this piece comfy and peaceful!

Only one suggestion. Maybe blend the two ducks, more into the foreground. These ducks might be the darkest and sharpest thing, in this scene. But, this is really a small thing compared to the great pp you have done.

TG

Thank you for your time and interest, and your suggestion, TG. Much appreciated!

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

The download does provide, for me, a sense of wide-openness - of course, the wider the monitor, the better. Cropping from the side certainly didn't hurt; the image remains quite strong but cropping top or bottom contributes to a "wide open" feeling, left and right crops detract.
Your abbreviated tonal and contrast range is perfect. To help that along, my first thought was to crop right at the pair of mud hens because their darkness is a visual lead weight- particularly when adjacent to the light blue sky reflection. Instead, lightening up the ducks, graying up, really, and muting/darkening the cooler blues of the reflected sky would take some weight off the eyes... and the same for the foreground which, because of contrasts, seems to me a little too sharp and loud and out of character for the rest of the scene. That's just being persnickety... it's a wonderful shot, very "comfortable' and as an expression of serenity, wonderfully successful.

Dave Chinn

Linda From Maine wrote:

aka going to my happy place img src="https://stat... (show quote)

Linda, I have no issue with the way it is. Although, after looking a little closer, another shot without the ducks and foreground grass would have been an excellent shot as well. The reflection in the water of the clouds and mountain is lovely. Even in this shot !!!
Dave

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

fuminous wrote:

The download does provide, for me, a sense of wide... (show quote)

Thanks so much for your thoughtful feedback, fuminous. Your suggestions are intriguing and I'll do some experimenting in those areas. I'm very grateful for your time and interest.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Dave Chinn wrote:

Linda, I have no issue with the way it is. Although, after looking a little closer, another shot without the ducks and foreground grass would have been an excellent shot as well. The reflection in the water of the clouds and mountain is lovely. Even in this shot !!!
Dave

Thank you, Dave! It was one of those mornings I left home before sunrise and was well rewarded for my efforts. I'm pleased you find it appealing. And I will try without the ducks; you never know

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

If the birds weren't there at the bottom to be the point of a color triangle, the
water wouldn't look so strange in its reflection that it seems to be on several
different levels of something. Guess that's why there are painters..... and people with cameras
sometimes.....

Dave Chinn

Linda From Maine wrote:

Thank you, Dave! It was one of those mornings I left home before sunrise and was well rewarded for my efforts. I'm pleased you find it appealing. And I will try without the ducks; you never know

Sorry Linda, I should have been more clearer. It's not the ducks I have an issue with, it's the slight wake they have created from swimming, which creats a disturbance in the reflection. Hope this doesn't sound like it's nitpicking but that was my thought. Either way it's a fine image to be proud of.
Dave

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

jenny wrote:

If the birds weren't there at the bottom to be the point of a color triangle, the
water wouldn't look so strange in its reflection that it seems to be on several
different levels of something. Guess that's why there are painters..... and people with cameras
sometimes.....

Thanks for your comments, Jenny!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Dave Chinn wrote:

Sorry Linda, I should have been more clearer. It's not the ducks I have an issue with, it's the slight wake they have created from swimming, which creats a disturbance in the reflection. Hope this doesn't sound like it's nitpicking but that was my thought. Either way it's a fine image to be proud of.
Dave

No problem at all; I'm always grateful for any viewpoint given with sincerity!

The reflection's disturbance appealed to me as a curiosity (can't think of better word at the moment...something about contrast?) to the rest of the soft scene. But I do also like the idea of making the entire image a gentle, restful mood. I appreciate your interest and the suggestions, Dave!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

This is a lovely image with wonderful colours, values, and balance. I like the reeds, although they do block entrance into the image. The ducks are a cute plus. I don't see anything on my small Ipad screen that's detrimental, so I'd print it large on canvas and offer it for sale.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

AzPicLady wrote:

This is a lovely image with wonderful colours, values, and balance. I like the reeds, although they do block entrance into the image. The ducks are a cute plus. I don't see anything on my small Ipad screen that's detrimental, so I'd print it large on canvas and offer it for sale.

Thank you, Kathy! Will you be my business manager?

Interesting about your and others' mention of the reeds as a drawback. Perhaps it's because it's only the tops of them? Often landscapes seem to work better with a foreground to help us feel we're there. I'll have to ponder that a bit more regarding this one in particular.

I appreciate your time and interest very much!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Linda From Maine wrote:

Interesting about your and others' mention of the reeds as a drawback.

I can't give any expert opinion but for my personal taste I like the reeds. They tell me I am standing on solid ground - not in the water. They add perspective. I can judge the size of the body of water. I know this is a serene and restful scene and maybe I shouldn't be thinking so much but it really isn't so much a thought process as it is a feeling of fitting into the scene that is instilled.