contemplation-lr-DSC_0256
by tanguera

Comment:
The desat and vignette put the subject right out front in this. Although the original would be interesting, the processing makes the shot for this one. I also though elephant when I saw the thumbnail.

HC
by louinsd

Comment:
This looks like three auto exposure shots merged. The uneven gradient in the sky is hard to control in these super wide images. Try shooting bracketed exposures, without changing aperture or focus, then find the images that merge best. Another option is to shoot all manual. Take the primary shot using auto, check the settings, then shoot all of the shots using that aperture- shutter speed combo.
Have a look at the exif of the originals used in this, and see if exposure changed from one to the next. If it did, then that's the problem. The bright staircases on the sides probably caused EV to change, making the sky darker.

View From Snake Mountain
by patio127

Comment:
What a wonderful view of the valley.

Determination
by Kelli

Comment:
This series of images means a lot to me because one of my music friends passed away with cancer about 2 weeks ago. Since then, my stepson's grandfather, one of my high school friends, and my wife's brother in law have done the same, all in one week.
What you have been doing, photographing these people, is one of the nicest gifts that their family can have. It's a very rewarding feeling when someone cherishes the photos that you shot of their loved ones.

bench_13
by riley

Comment:
This is interesting, for the effect, and the combo of colors.
Darn kudzu grows so fast that it's out of the frame before you can save the file.

birds-nest-spiral-
by sfalice

Comment:
That's not everyday stuff.

7578
by jdannels

Comment:
The hard midday light gives this subject some "pop" in this shot. I also like the various textures in the BG. This scene was ripe for a B&W image.

Topaz edit
by scooter97

Comment:
That's a mite strong on the 'paz Scott. It would make a good poster though.

Missing You
by patio127

Comment:
Is that a "social butterfly" in the overlay? She looks sweet with the flower. My first impression was that the overlay represented sheet music, and the title was a song.

Fail
by George

Comment:
Just a little condensation on the lens can cause the soft focus too. It's happened to me at times. There is almost always a street light or tower light within view near the horizon here in S Florida. I find that and focus on it.
Another option is to focus as well as I can by eyeballing the brightest star, then shoot one and look at it zoomed in the LCD.
That was fortunate timing to "catch a falling star" !