Lake Sunset

[tatadero]

HDR with a GND to help deal with the sun. As always, give it to me!

[LeeIs]

My brain adds this to the surreal department

the lake is lighter than the sky here, i don't see that happening in reality. but overall, i think you've controlled the elements pretty good. I think had the pond been abit more real, u would've gotten a better response and you would've had a better shot overall. Personally, I like it, i wish the pond wasn't so well lit though. nice use of GND!

[llewpics]

Some folks really hate lens flare of any kind - some mind it less. In my mind, it has to "add" something significant to the image ...in this case I am not sure it adds much ...especially on the grass. Otherwise, nice shot - grass adds an element of "foreground interest" which is good.

[tatadero]

Leels I will have to go back and look at the original again, because I had the same reaction to the lake. If I remember correctly I took a look and I think the original looked that way as well. I believe it is actually an artifact of the GND and how the lake was reflecting, not the HDR process. I will look again to see!

As for the lens flare, I am not sure how to avoid it in this shot without letting the sun completely set. But I am not sure the shot would look as good without the sun. Maybe I can do some layer work to get the lens flare out in the bottom corner. Thanks!

[tatadero]

For a reference, here is the original middle exposure, slightly cleaned up, for comparison. Doesn't change the fact that the lake does seem odd!

[stu-52]

I like the lake the way it is. The lens flare bothers me a little bit, but overall it's a nice photo.

[PrevailingConditions]

I like this as well, but I'm bothered by the difference between the sky and the lake. The sky has some nice reds/pinks which are completely absent in the reflection in the lake. Also as has been said, the lake should be darker than the sky which adds to the odd impression.

PC

[LeeIs]

hey thanks for sharing the original. that's crazy how the lake came out like that, but understandable using the GND.

[Greg McCary]

I think the flares and the sun are a little much sometimes it is better to capture a sunset just after the sun goes over the horizon.