Durgerdam taken by fog

[Lex.]

Hi there,

Would appreciate your comments on my first picture taken with my first digcamera, the S45...

It's Durgerdam, a small village near Amsterdam on the shores of the frozen IJsselmeer lake and just about to be covered by the incomming fog.

I altered the original and would like to hear your opignion on the alterations. Are they approvements or not? Which one do you prefer and why?

The original:
http://photo.msn.s8.com/MS8zLzEwNDEyOTMxNTcvMS80MDE4LzE1NS8zMi80TXM0UXJtbH NxZTJMRm1iM3J1dVNn/43ebe410210f3a9b8692bdc6d27f0f10/clbk=HcZNnT9kkUjOS!YaLuI5R2NlrvXN23o4X98nXTiZbp08q VaxotiGrYu0UwVt*NYy69Ioi!rVfoI$/jpg.jpg

I forgot the adjustment of the White Balance (he I'm just new to digital pics) and tried to compensate on the PC using contrast en levels. Uhh no I didn't use PS, but MS PictureIt instead... (cos it's cheap)

http://photo.msn.s8.com/MS8zLzEwNDEyOTMxNjAvMS80MDE4LzE1NS8zMi83bWFCb2RJdT ljNHNPRm9zZ0FUejhn/7fd365569857fdb16ddb2c4a4f914f8a/clbk=HcZNnT9kkUjOS!YaLuI5R2NlrvXN23o4aYG!UwxkF0UDl *hWj!TeAENaPBckfpU*QEGoibjwtls$/jpg.jpg

I also found the sky a bit too flat and added the sky from a shot taken later that week.

http://photo.msn.s8.com/MS8zLzEwNDEyOTMxNjAvMS80MDE4LzE1NS8zMi9SeFBZWDA3WG I4MV9oRlVJa3J0Y3VR/22743af3d307f95d3f5ce3158279edea/clbk=HcZNnT9kkUjOS!YaLuI5R2NlrvXN23o407d9Tgql0eiRi 4kVi25Q40g5LoD6dMPNSUuJAi9g7NU$/jpg.jpg

Thanks, Lex

[Conk]

While number three has the red sky number 2 is the winner.

[slejhamer]

Lex,

What mood do you want to set? What's the story you want to tell? If you want to convey the mystery of the fog, then the original is best. #2 does away with it entirely, and has a completely different message. #3 is quite interesting, but I'd want to see colored highlights reflected in the water, and that's a tough job. Maybe best to leave it or even emphasize the fog:

http://members.cox.net/mschlesinger/foggy.jpg

(P.S. Hope you don't mind my altering your file. :) )

[eland]

Well Lex, you've had one vote for number two and one for an altered number one.

For some one just starting out with digital you show that you have a very good eye for composition.
Maybe you've spent a lot of time with film cameras or with painting, but your eye for balance is very good.

Digital is not that much different to use.

There is, I think a danger of getting into an editing program and over-working the image.

Personally I felt before reading the comments that #1 has lots of mood and looks very COLD and foggy.
In #2 for me, you have killed the mood by playing around too much.
You have taken all the mood away and left a pleasant picture that now has too much empty sky.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.

And don't feel bad about not using PS.
Most programs do all we need for our editing needs, without the high cost.
I use a much cheaper program than PS and wouldn't swop it.

Kind regards
eland

[Lex.]

Colin,

Thanks for your vote for #2...

I was wondering why you choose for #2. When I saw the new lighting and contrast, I had to look at it constantly, but I just don't know why...

I'm not literate at discussing photo's. I'm either touched by a photo/drawing/painting or not and often I even don't know why. And #2 is just one of those.

Regards, Lex

[Lex.]

Mitch,

Thanks for the suggested alteration. Nice touch! I think I should pay framing some more attention...

I took the picture because of the mystery and the sad feelings fog brings to me. I saw the fog rising while driving on the highway and just had to take the next exit to the village. It was already late (4pm) and dusk was falling so I had to hurry to capture the mood.

I do prefer #1 myself, because of the feeling/mood and you're right, the mood is competely gone in #2. But #2 has got something, but I don't know what...

Regards, Lex

[Lex.]

Eland,

Thanks for your compliments on composition and balance, I appreciate it!

Yes, I do have an analog camera background...

Regards,
Lex