Feedback needed

I took these last weekend. It seems like they should have more spark than they do. Any suggestions on how I can improve them?

Did you use a CPL? And, do I know this place? Ankeny?

I hope you dont mind, but I made some minor changes that may or may have not helped (altered the horizon & cropped slightly, darkened the sky, slightly lightened the trees & reflection on the left, removed a few branches in the reflection and on the right side). Its a very tranquil scene and your shot is very good....it certainly didnt need me playing with it

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puddlepirate44 wrote in post #2374418
Did you use a CPL? And, do I know this place? Ankeny?

No, not Ankeny...Finley, this is on the Woodpecker trail. And yes I have a CPL. I think it's on in this shot, but I can't swear to it. I know I have some shots with it on.

sugarzebra wrote in post #2374558
I hope you dont mind, but I made some minor changes that may or may have not helped (altered the horizon & cropped slightly, darkened the sky, slightly lightened the trees & reflection on the left, removed a few branches in the reflection and on the right side). Its a very tranquil scene and your shot is very good....it certainly didnt need me playing with it

Thanks for the comments and thanks for the edit. I like your edit and I certainly don't mind at all.

Thanks again.

Turnerzdad wrote in post #2374597
No, not Ankeny...Finley, this is on the Woodpecker trail. And yes I have a CPL. I think it's on in this shot, but I can't swear to it. I know I have some shots with it on.

That's on Woodpecker Trail? Oh man, I've gotta go up there again. The shots are great on their own, but sometimes that Willamette fog base makes everything seem so desaturated. The CPL was the only non-PP advice I could think of....

This was my first trip there. I ran into to women just coming off the trail and they told me I just had to get up there and take some shots because the pond was absolutely still. Boy were they right! It was the really cold morning and there was absolutely no breeze whatsoever.

Turnerzdad wrote in post #2374669
This was my first trip there. I ran into to women just coming off the trail and they told me I just had to get up there and take some shots because the pond was absolutely still. Boy were they right! It was the really cold morning and there was absolutely no breeze whatsoever.

Hmmm... tomorrow's Saturday... could sneak off before chores.... hmmm...

puddlepirate44 wrote in post #2374688
Hmmm... tomorrow's Saturday... could sneak off before chores.... hmmm...

LOL...just promise to get Perm a triple venti latte on the way home and she'll be fine!

...but it's supposed to rain tomorrow!

Turnerzdad wrote in post #2374696
LOL...just promise to get Perm a triple venti latte on the way home and she'll be fine!

...but it's supposed to rain tomorrow!

If I can pull off a quad venti, I'm set. Too bad about the rain. Guess I'll have to do chores...

Simply Trinity wrote in post #2377540
My five cents worth. Have tired eyes tonight so it may look odd when I look in the morning! Hope you don't mind.
Trinity x

I don't mind at all. I actually really like it. What did you do?

Wow perfection

jeptranport wrote in post #2379260
Wow perfection

Thanks!

Simply Trinity wrote in post #2379379
I love autumnal pics. The predominance of autumnal colour is normaly that lovely golden brown hue to non-evergreen foliage. Very simple to do. In the hue saturation dialogue in photoshop, first select 'greens' in the colour rollout, then select the eye dropper tool at the bottom. Click the dropper on a leafy area. Then click on the dropper with the '+' symbol and select some more greens that need the change. Then play with the hue and saturation sliders until you have the look you want. I adjusted to enhance the foliage and simulate a richer autumnal sun.
Enjoy!
Trinity x

Cool! I'm not that knowledgable of that kind of stuff. I can do some stuff in Photoshop, but the whole eyedropper business is not something I've messed with. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your technique!