Nmai

[CLKunst]

Comments and critiques welcomed.
Suggestions cheerfully explored, but please leave the editing to me.
:thumbsup:

[MB1]

Pretty building, crummy museum.

Your photo likely would be better with fill flash.

[Addies Granddaddy]

Cindy,
The overhanging branches on the left seem to overwhelm the building.
John

[AgingEyes]

All of the above. But, you could brighten reflection in Photoshop.

[CLKunst]

Here is a slightly lightened version. I think I still prefer my first try at it. The building was designed to look like a cliff so I wanted to accentuate that feeling by surrounding it with the pond area in the front. It's not a typical view of this museum so I don't mind that the tree is hugging the building a little. Actually because of the weird shape the tree isn't obscuring as much as you'd think.

Your photo likely would be better with fill flash.

I almost did and probably should have. I used my fisheye lens and had my toes at the water's edge I thought the flash would reflect glare in the water and ruin my reflection, which is what I was primarily after.

[GB1]

Hey Cindy - I totally agree with John, but the edit seems to solve that. The image seems more about the surroundings than the building. I did notice that it's architecture was atypical, but didn't notice a cliff design. Maybe if you were at another angle or a bit closer I would see it.

Gb

[gahspidy]

My first impression was that there were too much foliage framing the subject and with the reflection included it had a very busy feel. However, as i continue to look at it and maybe because I'm sorting things out it seems to come together for me. Kind of like being there and peering through an opening into this fascinating structure. I like the original version best as it lends to that feeling of being there in the midst of the foliage.

[CLKunst]

Thanks Gary! That is exactly what I was hoping to communicate. The building is actually very exposed, because it's on the National Mall in downtown D.C. So this is a view of this building very few folks would see. Here are a few wide angle versions of the front without any foliage for comparison.

[readingr]

Cindy

What an interesting building and your first pic nails it for me.

I like the plants framing the building and how weill it sits within the environment. This is enhanced with the reflections for me as it mimics the windows in the building.

You captured the reflection really well including the clouds.

Nice work. I think you went to far with the brightning of the foreground in the second edit and IMHO not necessary as the focus is taken away from the building.

I like the last one of the new set.

Roger

[CLKunst]

Thanks for the response Roger! I always appreciate your taking the time to look at my work. I did go a little over board on the edit but wanted to provide a comparison worth talking about.