Fishing at the Park

[Bert]

I kinda like the way this one turned out. Took it using a 20D with a 70-200 f2.8 at 200mm. I set the Aperature at f8.0 for depth of field and the ISO at 800. The exposure ended up at 1/50 sec.

What do you think? Any ideas on how you might improve it?:ear :ear

http://westernrider.smugmug.com/photos/16334344-L-1.jpg

By the way, this guy caught a nice fish about 10 minutes later.

[amc]

Hi Bert...

In my opinion, you can vastly improve the shot by cropping along the top of the stone/concrete fence (you probably don't need the trees and the apartment building), and by reducing the gamma (pix looks a bit too light to me). I tried that on my PC and it makes a big difference. Otherwise, a pleasing shot. The reflection works, and the presence of the bird is subtle enough to blend into the scenery nicely without being the focus.

Regards,

[Bert]

Thanks AMC. Your comments are helpful.

I second-guessed myself on the cropping about 3 times. My first version cropped it at the top of the wall as you suggested, shoulda listened.

I'm very new to digital photography and don't know yet what to expect, but one of my first impressions of this particular image was how much like a watercolor it looked. I don't know if that's a characteristic of the 20D sensor, the ISO setting, the lens, or what. And to prove my total ignorance, what is 'gamma'?

[Cosmic]

I can feel the humidity in the air on this shot! O_o;;

I really like the composition and I had a double take to spot that bird! The saturation and light is very appealing to the eye.

I agree with amc about cropping the top some. Right up until the bridge ends.

~Heidi~

[Bert]

Here's my original cropping idea.

http://westernrider.smugmug.com/photos/16337870-L-2.jpg

[amc]

Yup, that's what I had in mind. Regarding gamma, it's that little slider bar on most editing software appropriately labled "gamma." Typically if you slide it to the left, the picture will sort of darken, but in a special way...can't explain it, but click on the link below and you'll get the expert definition. If you do change the gamma, you may lose the watercolor effect...

Actually, I think adjusting the levels in PhotoShop or other apps that have that feature is probably the right way to do this...I often just use the gamma adjustment as a quick & easy fix.

http://www.colormatters.com/comput_gamma.html

[Bert]

Yup, that's what I had in mind. Regarding gamma, it's that little slider bar on most editing software appropriately labled "gamma." Typically if you slide it to the left, the picture will sort of darken, but in a special way...can't explain it, but click on the link below and you'll get the expert definition. If you do change the gamma, you may lose the watercolor effect...

Actually, I think adjusting the levels in PhotoShop or other apps that have that feature is probably the right way to do this...I often just use the gamma adjustment as a quick & easy fix.

http://www.colormatters.com/comput_gamma.html
I'll have to try experimenting with that. I just installed Elements 3.0 but so far all of my images, with the exception of cropping, are as they came out of the camera.

I really do appreciate your comments and suggestions.