Let me know what you think.

Len

For starters that out of focus stick/branch coming in from the right bottom corner is driving me nuts.

For starters that out of focus stick/branch coming in from the right bottom corner is driving me nuts.

I know...I need a clone tool....:cryin:

Len

Even with the out of focus branch its still an amazing picture. Where was it taken?
Army

Even with the out of focus branch its still an amazing picture. Where was it taken?
Army

New paltz, NY. The far side is an abandoned canal lock.

Len

More thoughts;

Unlike your seashore image that had 3 simple and strong elements (the breaking waves, the shoreline and the rough water) this image is a muddled mess without a clear primary focus.

It looks like you shot this on an overcast day. The overall lighting and tonal range is very even, almost monotone. There is that branch on the right and above it at the edge of the frame is just the slightest hint of something that I take to be the bottom of a bridge-neither of these add anything to the image.

Like your first pass at the seascape this image is basically split in two even halfs by your placement of the falling water in the middle of the frame. This one doesn't seem to have as much potential as the other one to be improved by post processing.

Didn't you post some other images of the same spot on RBR? Ah, I see that you did-the third one has the strongest impact for my taste although none of them are as good as your sea scape (BTW you sure got around last month).

I would agree with MB1 observations of this. I think a scene like this is a very difficult one to tackle, especially with a very flat light of an ovecast day. The tendancy for most of us, including myself is to try to capture too much of the scene. We like everything and want to include everything. This scene may have been easier to tackle by isolating specific elements or pieces of this place and bringing them out in a simple, solid composition. Perhaps in one of the shots some of the bg could exist the rest of the scene, but the focus and eye would be held to the area of intent.
Scenes like this are great excercises in trying to simplify and isolate interesting aspects amidst the engaging puzzle of its landscape.

a different angle might help

I would agree with MB1 observations of this. I think a scene like this is a very difficult one to tackle, especially with a very flat light of an ovecast day. The tendancy for most of us, including myself is to try to capture too much of the scene. We like everything and want to include everything. This scene may have been easier to tackle by isolating specific elements or pieces of this place and bringing them out in a simple, solid composition. Perhaps in one of the shots some of the bg could exist the rest of the scene, but the focus and eye would be held to the area of intent.
Scenes like this are great excercises in trying to simplify and isolate interesting aspects amidst the engaging puzzle of its landscape.

Her are some other "Slices" from the main scene.

Len

These are better, although the third is still suffering from too much included. the first works well and even though there is still alot in the scene, the seperation of the rocks and your point of view help in simplifying it and giving a sense of depth.
the second one I like the most. You have isolated a strong portion of the scene and have even included a bit of the other rock formation in the bg. Sharpness and focal point is very good.