Let me have it - I can handle it.

[Malok]

I took this image last night at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. I am not thrilled with it and would love to know what you folks think I could have done to have improved the shot.

Please be honest, I don't mind. :)

http://morninglight.us/cnp/forum/bearyellow2.jpg

[cityboy_ca]

I think it's a good picture. The tree line leads you in to the mountain, the reflection in the water is eye-catching, nicely framed on three sides and a dynamite location... what more could you ask for? Maybe, just maybe, the tree at the bottom right might be considered distracting. Naw, it works just fine.

You should be pleased with this one.

[BOBinsane]

DAMN! :D

[darwin]

I like it.

I really, really like it.

I had a hard time finding what the center of attention was you were going for? I think it's the mountians, but then I become distracted, which is what I think keeps it from being one of your personal favorites.

Overall, it's a very nice piece.

[Panza]

I feel that it has too much water. And too much of the tree in the foreground.
Very nice none the less.

[Sailor Don]

Malok,

That's a really good photo. Two things come to mind that have nothing to do with photographic technique.

1. Wait for a time of day when the forest along the shoreline is not in shadow. (More vibrant green for more intense color contrast.)

2. Wait for no wind and no ripples on the lake to get less blurring of the reflected image of the mountain.

That could be a long wait. :D

[roanjohn]

Oh come on!!!

This photo is amazing!!!

RO1

[HJMinard]

Overall, I love this shot. Beautiful scene and technically perfect, IMO.

Love the background ... love the water ... love the rocks in the foreground.

Not so crazy about the tree/shrub in the foreground. Not having been there, however, it's obviously impossible to know what else you could have utilized as a foreground element (just the rocks?).

I like it. Wish it were mine (wish I had similar scenery nearby).

[msol]

I think this is a difficult one. My first thought was WOW... wonderful combination of bright colors (sky, lake, foreground tree), dark trees, and redish sunrise. Also I was amazed about the great dynamic range you achieved in the picture. Was this really one shot or did you blend two exposures?
But also I realized that something was bothering me, as you already indicated. I think it is acomposition "problem". To me the main lines of the picture are the top of the foreground rocks, the bottom of the dark (background) trees reflection, and the top of the dark trees. Together they form a Z (mirrored) that lead me from the bottom left (great!) through the center (great) towards the mountains (great) but then away from the mountains (pity). Don't know whether you recognize this...

Anyway, I still would have been very happy and proud if this was one of my photo's!

[Malok]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I continue to go back and forth over them wondering which of the identified problems is the one that bothers me most. I still can't put my finger on it and am wondering if it is the poor lighting on the top of the highest mountain, whether it is the fact that the reflection of the taller mountain is blocked by the tree, whether it is the emptiness of the leading line at the top, or simply the unusual exposure due to difficult lighting situation. In the end I am not sure. I think the photo is ok, but not exactly what I had hoped for. I may have to go back and try again, perhaps trying some different compositions.

MSOL, you are very observant to notice the extreme dynamic range of the photo. It actually is two shots blended together to cover the range. I am still disapointed with the way that the yellow aspen tree came out. It was so much more vibrant in real life and I just wasn't able to achieve it with the camera.

Thanks for all your help. If you have other ideas or suggestions, I would really enjoy hearing them!

Malok

[darwin]

Malok,

If you go back and take a panoramic, I'd use it as a wallpaper forever.

I run 1920x1600 resolution on a laptop (Yikes!) and am always looking for great panoramic shots, and that scene looks like it would qualify as exactly what I'm looking for.

I was looking through your website and I have to give you kudos for your great dedication, talent, and just overall feel of the website. You may be selling a print soon :)

Keep up the good work!!!

[Malok]

Thanks for the kind words! I am actually selling in several stores and galleries in the area. Its hard to believe that just over a year ago I didn't know a thing about photography and now my wife says that I am obsessed with it. :D

I did take a couple of landscape orientation shots of the same scene. I didn't like the layout quite as much and the sky wasn't as even as I would have liked, being too light on the far left. I'll take another look at them and if I have something decent I'll let you know.

Malok

[jim jam]

I think this is possibly the worst picture ever posted on this site,just kidding.ITS VERY BEAUTIFUL,CRYSTAL CLEAR, LOVE IT! :D

[Andy_T]

Eric,

the picture is great!

I also took a look at your website and all I can say is WOW :shock:

Keep up the good work!

Best regards,
Andy

[Malok]

Thanks for the encouragement Andy. Next time you visit my site, perhaps you can leave a comment in the Guest Book.

All the best!

Malok

[Hellashot]

I would like to have seen the shot taken in standard horizontal position, unless you couldn't have gotten the top of the mountain in view.

Hellashot

[evidence tech]

This is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[rick barclay]

Works for me. I like the reflection and the colors.