Black Lake Shoreline

[photophorous]

Here's another shot from my recent trip to Colorado. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Paul

[MB1]

The upper right corner bothers me......just too light I am thinking and I don't like the color of that part of the image. OTOH I really do like the rest of it.

[gahspidy]

Paul, this is a sort of unusual shot in that the fg and middle is a pleasing nature shot and then the upper portion has those eerie dark reflections creeping down. I know what MB1 means about the upper right corner, but it does not bother me. I would only suggest bringing in some more yellow as the image seems to have too much blue tint.
I like it.

[photophorous]

MB1 / Gary,

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Obviously, you both noticed the conflicting/contrasting moods of the shot. But, I still don't really understand if it works or not. I intended for this shot to show a strange combination of calm and discomfort. That's how I was feeling after hiking about 12 miles on a bum knee, still seven miles from the car. This shot really reminds of that evening, but I don't know if it does anything for anyone else.

MB1, what do you mean about not liking the color? Why don't you like it? I'd like to know more, if you care to elaborate.

Gary, thanks for the tip on the color balance. How does the rest of the post processing look? Is it too dark?

Thanks,
Paul

[MB1]

There are a pleasing mixture of blue, green and grey in the main body of the image but inthe upper right I only see black and an odd pink/grey/light blue combination that really takes away from the rest of the image.

[GB1]

I really like the blues at the bottom, and the green mixes with it quite well. The rock adds some stability. The water has a slight film that looks really soft.

But the top doesn't blend with the rest. I guess I agree with MB in that although the bottom shot is relaxing, moody, and interesting, the top and top/right area is rough and too contrasty, which sorta destroys the mood. If it were some pretty colored flora or just something softer on the eyes then it would have been perfect.

A bit of a shame that there wasn't something better in that part of the shot - the bottom really has potential. Maybe it's worth a shot as a PS project.

[photophorous]

GB1,

Thanks for commenting. It seems that people dislike the top right, because it disrupts the calm mood of the bottom. As I mentioned below, I did this intentionally to create tension. I could have easily omitted it, as I did in other photos. I picked this one for critique because I wanted to see what people thought of it, but now I'm not sure if I had a bad idea or if it was just a poor execution.

So, here's a new set of questions for anyone who is still watching.

Is it a bad idea to introduce tension in a landscape shot? Could it ever work?

Does anyone have any suggestions for how I might have done this better, with out changing the mood to something completely calm and relaxing?

Would your impression be different if I had given it a different title, or if this was part of a set?

Thanks,
Paul

[GB1]

Paul -

Good question, will tension ever work in a supposedly calm landscape shot. Probably in a documentary type shot or a photo-journalist one. It does seem like really nice landscapes that you see on calendars etc are totally 'separate' and isolated from one another........ like every shot must be an untouchable masterpiece, slotted within a category.....

Gb

[readingr]

Paul,

I've been back to this image several times and stared at it for a long time.

It is thought provoking

What I see is the approach of pollution into a calm and tranquil area which is being eroded by industry and man's carelessness and wanton greed. Nature is trying to fight back and it is a true battleground. The blue tint adds to the feeling of despair.

On the lighter side the dark bit looks like the reflection of Edward Scissor Hand

Can't decide if I like such a photo though but it does make me think.

Roger