Bluebell Ocean

[Dave L]

Sunday drive and a visit to a local woodland area and the spectacular sight of acres of bluebells. I had the simple and trusty Minolta X20 with me and took a few snaps - these are my favourites:

Top: Through the Blue

Middle: Sundown Blue

Bottom: The Descending Green

Not bad for an amateur with a cheap digital camera ? could I have improved these slightly or a lot ?

ps: for those interested the location is Westwoods near Lockeridge,Marlborough,Wiltshire,England.

[Wings]

Personally I like image #1, #2 with a clear preference for #2.

#1 is ok, but the foliage suffers from the bright sky. The image is too flat imho.
The eyes are lead to the center of the image and that's where it's missing some impact.
I say 'some' because it's the center of the image, where light is able to reach the ground to create these beautiful shades.

#2 is quite good. The image is less flat, interesting light and shadows. Personally I like a tighter crop on the right and bottom side of the image; it moves the highlighted area away from the center of the image, it gives the trees closest to the camera more impact and it adds more depth.
All in all a good photograph.

#3 Good detail in foliage, nice soft pastel looking colors, but I don't like the non straight horizon (please avoid or correct this as much as possible) and that it splits the photograph in half.
I always try to avoid 50-50 if it's doesn't increase the impact of the image. It also lacks interesting lights and shadows, which makes the image a bit flat.

All in all there is nothing really terrible wrong with these images, just some minor things here and there should have gotten a bit more attention.

Well done and thanks for sharing your photographs.

[Dave L]

Thanks Wings - took your tips on board (would like a little more info on pic 3 and the 50-50 split).

Considering we arrived mid afternoon and were not prepared for boggy conditions (ie not wearing wellies) and rain....and we got lost and my wife was nagging me to stop taking pics with the camera....so I had to be very quick indeed....I am reasonably happy with the results.... I agree the pic three is a little flat , but I was trying to show the descending fresh green foliage meeting the sea of bluebells.....with your help, will come up with better pics next spring !

[greg hxc]

This is approx how I would frame up #3. Even horizon with the split between ground and trees in the 1/3-ish area. It can help make otherwise loose compositions a little stronger.

[Dave L]

With you ! Thank you !

[Wings]

That's about how I would have done it Greg, well done, looks great ;)

Do you notice the improvement Dave?

[greg hxc]

The Rule of Thirds is handy, especially when you're just starting out (as I am) and are unsure how to frame your shot. It is better explained here.

It is important to remember that rules are made to be broken, so even as you keep the various "rules" in mind, trust your eye and don't be afraid to shoot just to see what you get.

[Dave L]

Like it ! can understand what you are saying ! and yes I like breaking the rules too ...have you seen the MACRO-ak Frog ?

enjoying the responses ! pos and neg !(but all pos really !)

[Seb]

Hey Dave,

Personally, I am not found of #1 and #2 because of the way light spread all arround making some parts of the pictures washed out.

#3 however catch my attention. I truly like it. There is something comforting and hypnotic about it. Bringing the horizon line at 1/3 of the frame as Greg did for you make the picture even more interesting but I feel that you did well at the first place.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Seb

[PuckJunkey]

All three are beautiful, the third one is just stunning. What an amazing place.