First Day at the Forest Preserve

[PuckJunkey]

Greetings on this fine Sunday afternoon. Thanks to all for your comments. I am anxious to learn all I can from you guys; lot of talent and good ideas on this board. What's more, it's been a long time since I've had anyone look at my work with a truly critical eye. I could stand to revisit some of my techniques I'm sure, so always feel free to say whatever is on your mind....

Now onto the shots: I agree the saturation /overall tonality is a little flat, particularly on the lake shot as I look at it again. The Dandelion I didn't mind being sort of monochromatic or subdued, as that was what caught my eye, amongst all the Spring green. I was trying to decide if I like the Floweing Tree shot because some of the little petals are soft / pretty much beyond the realm of USM (short of making them look unnatural). Do you guys think the focus points work? Also what about the tree trunk... I had a nearly identical version only without the trunk / more zoomed in? Yea? Nea?

Anyway, as my favorite instructor used to say, "everything follows the light"... outdoors, there's just no substitute for early morning or late afternoon glow (or certain combinations of sun and cloud). Guess I'm going to have to get my lazy hide out of bed on those mornings when I don't have any studio work to do.



Young Shooter, that's interesting that you saw a B&W when looking at the lake shot. I think you may be right. That's one thing I haven't done yet (converting the images to B&W). In point of fact, the Dandelion might work in that regard too. Thanks for the idea.

PS - I was just razzing you a bit about the spelling the other day; hope you didn't take offense. You'll have to pardon me as I have a journalism background (who else would notice something like that?). Anyway, this is a photography forum and not a grammar class so have no fear. I just like to razz people sometimes.

Not too long ago I had "CanuckleHead" in my signature, which I am pretty sure is not a real word, either. That's a person who follows the Vancouver Canucks, btw. Maybe I should try and trademark it.