Whip this end of day shot... please

[wolfejm]

I'd love to know what you think of this shot. My wife and I like art that feels like somewhere we'd like to be. This is near our house, and I just love this park.

I'm trying to work more on composition and recognizing lighting. Let me have it!

(link (http://jeffwolfe.smugmug.com/gallery/2603874/1/137338889))
http://jeffwolfe.smugmug.com/photos/137338889-L.jpg

[rutt]

This looks like a lovely place and I love the sweet light and late afternoon feel you've captured. But you have to overemphasize the colors to add drama and make your viewers feel what you felt when you shot the picture.

I couldn't help but use this picture as an example of some new techniques I've been trying to learn and understand. In the spirit and letter of the WP rules, I've started a new finishing school thread (http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=58886) for this.

[wolfejm]

I'm glad that this image was useful for discussion of a new post processing technique. I was really hoping to get some whipping of the shot though. Any comments anyone?

Thanks!

[gchappel]

This looks like a beautiful place- but this picture of it leaves me a little cold.
The lighting is very nice- but it would not hang on my wall.
I think you need to bring some life into the picture, there is no evidence of life here. Looks empty.
The sky takes up a lot of the image- yet here is bland.
The tree also takes up much of the image- but looks brown- dead?
The trash can needs to go to bye bye in photoshop.
I would either crop off or clone away the right bench.
The masts on several of the boats are tilting to the left.
Adding a person reading on the far bench I think might add to the story, but you would need to recrop so they are not right in the middle- but that is only me.
Or, if I had complete control I would have the sails up on one of the boats to the right, to give a focal point and evidence of life here.
I think the sky needs to be interesting- nice billowy clouds- bright blue sky, or interesting rainclouds- a rainbow might be pushing it a little.
Is there a different season when this tree is bright green and fuller?

Gary
gchappel
I can take it as well - having been whipped here myself, whip on.

[Photo Guy]

Did you try taking other shots as well? Sometimes less is more.

When taking a photo, always look and see what is necessary to the picture and ask why it's necessary. You may be able to catch the mood you were going for if you were to move to the left a little and use the first tree to partially frame the picture with the bench and boats in the water.

That being said, I don't know what the view is like. :D

There's alot of tree in this photo which almost cuts the picture into two pictures.

It's a nice shot, but I have to agree with Gary. Sky looks almost blown out. No activity or signs of life. It's a very peaceful shot which I think is what you were going for.

[wolfejm]

Thanks for the great feedback guys. As I mentioned, I'm trying to work on composition so all your comments are really helpful. In particular, the reminder to constantly assess what should be in or out of the shot hollistically.

I haven't been able to return to the site, but I did try to make some improvements in post. Most notably, I cropped the half bench and cloned away the trash can. This was the first time I have used "clone" - wow. I also boosted the mid tones a bit to bring out detail in the blob-like sections of the tree.

As for adding life, I'm not sure I can manage that in post. This is actually a very busy park, and I'm just happy not to have a tourist with a camera in the shot :D

Here's the update. Thanks again!
(link (http://jeffwolfe.smugmug.com/gallery/2603874#146704601))
http://jeffwolfe.smugmug.com/photos/146704601-L.jpg