A Japanese Garden

[Swat2]

I would appreciate any comments you have on this photo. I've been working for a year to try to get above the rank mediocre level, and I think I need some outside help!

http://www.pbase.com/image/22611738

Thanks a lot.........Don

[Laziferous]

I like the tree hanging down from above in the frame, and the rocks in the water. It just seems to be lacking something though.

Looks a bit over exposed. Maybe by about two stops, or increase the shutter a bit. Maybe a lower perspective would have been better, or another angle? Perhaps closer to the waters edge?

Did you take any other shots, or just this one? Sometimes I take a few shots of the same thing, and the one I think is the keeper isn't, and one I shot quickly without much thought, turns out to be the one that really stands out.

A very beautiful place though. You've got a nice subject to work with here.

Please take this constructively. I really don't know much about photography, these were just my thoughts. Take them all with a grain of salt. I only think I know what I'm talking about http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smile4.gif :D

[jinushaun]

I'm not feeling it. There's no focus, no lines drawing your eye.

[KarlJones]

A good sampling of greens, could do with a tad more sharpening before compromising detail. Could work with the overhanging branch to get a little more depth and really be nice. Good job.

[MiG82]

"Looks a bit over exposed. Maybe by about two stops, or increase the shutter a bit"

Two stops is a major overexposure. That photo looks about right.
It is lacking something though, just like all of my photos.
I think that the area around the hanging branch is a bit cluttered due to the camera only recording in 2D. If you could somehow seperate it from the background it should improve. Perhaps lowering the camera a bit would help the cluttered feel?

[John_T]

You could move to the left and include the tree trunk as the left frame, leave out the pine branch on the right and open it up to the right with more water. The trunk and branch above will give depth and place the viewer. I find your shot too closed from all sides leaving no room to breathe. Japanese gardens are all about space, and by trying to include too much, the serenity of the scene is lost.

[Swat2]

Chris -

"Did you take any other shots, or just this one? Sometimes I take a few shots of the same thing, and the one I think is the keeper isn't, and one I shot quickly without much thought, turns out to be the one that really stands out."

Thanks for this simple suggestion. I've only been shooting 1 example, or maybe 2 or 3, but from the same spot.

Karl -

That shot was straight out of the G2. I'll try some fiddling in PSE.

Thanks!

Mig82 -

"It is lacking something though, just like all of my photos."

Oh, don't you look at Don Elands work and just cry bitter green tears!!

John -

I really appreciate your specific suggestions for improvement. After reading your post, I reviewed the rest of the shots I took in the Garden and found that most of them were rather severely framed on both sides with extraneous stuff. Obviously I really have to work on that fault!

Thanks!

[Swat2]

Hey, MiG82!

I made the terrible mistake of showing your tag line about arguing with an engineer to my wife, and after her 1st hour of laughter, I get the sneaky feeling it will be rammed down my throat for the rest of my life! Thanks!!

Don

[stopbath]

The picture as it is is rather busy. I think this shot will work great if you crop the top and bottom and use the panorama format on it. Make the stream and rocks the feature of the shot.

The rocks are a great feature.