Glacier Lagoon
by ArnaMarie

Comment by tome:
Didn't get to vote this challenge but I thought for a while that this image deserved some feedback. First off, fabulous darkness! I actually would not make any changes to the tonality because, this IS a dark, moody scene, with everything in it. For me it's not always about finding the perfect tonality curve. Here, imho, adding contrast would detach the main element from the background (wondering if it would even need sharpening) and probably ruin the mood of the image. Composition wise, I like how you placed the iceberg in the composition - a bit strange but effective. And the awkward, mysterious metallic gray reflection (what is it? is it water? at 1/1600 it's perfectly still!), just adds to the confusion here. This confusion is what makes my eye wander around and I love that. Great stuff!

Message edited by author 2014-08-24 18:59:43.

Glacier Lagoon
by ArnaMarie

Comment by ArnaMarie:
Hi Robert ( yakatme)!

Thanks heaps for your support and great advice! I will definitely look into that tutorial and make another attempt at editing my photo. I'll post an updated version in the commentary field later, if I can get it right. It might take me a little while :)

BTW your 'I did NOT need this today' picture is hilarious (and of course also a great shot) :)

Thanks again,
Arna


Message edited by author 2014-09-02 07:14:06.

Glacier Lagoon
by ArnaMarie

Comment by yakatme:
Hi Arna, that is a great first entry! I was disappointed to see that nobody has yet responded to your wish for feedback and tips.

There is one step that would have rocketed this image to a much higher placement in this challenge: A simple S-Curve curves adjustment to increase contrast.

Check out the tutorials under "Learn" in the bar at the top of the page for a lot of good information. The specific tutorial on curves adjustment is here: //www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=58

Try the second example on S-Curves for increase in contrast and keep entering challenges!

Message edited by author 2014-08-08 10:20:03.

Glacier Lagoon
by ArnaMarie

Comment by giantmike:
Powerful

Succulent
by ArnaMarie

Comment by nam:
I really like this one - the inclusion of the total gardening shed environment really helps tell a story. Nice textures and colors, too.

Succulent
by ArnaMarie

Comment by MelonMusketeer:
The bright green just jumps out from the earthy colors in the rest of the image. That's a very nice color contrast.
I like the old treadle sewing machine stand in this one too. It adds an element of history to the scene.

Autum Sunflower
by ArnaMarie

Comment by aliqui:
Paul makes a good point. You've got your shutter going really fast (1/1000), so you were lacking light. That put you at f/2.8, which doesn't give you much in the way of depth of field. I hear "DOF too narrow" a lot with my own photography, so trust me when I tell ya, people like their DOF! Make sure you're keeping your shutter speed just fast enough to prevent motion blur and keep that aperture as tight as possible (high number) to get the depth that DPC so desires.

OR! You can be like me and still prefer the shallow DOF and creamy backgrounds that f/2.8 gives you. Just be ready to hear "DOF too shallow" a lot. :)

Succulent
by ArnaMarie

Comment by aliqui:
It comes across as such a simple photo, but there's a lot of really subtle things going on. As others have mentioned, the composition is great. It's a composition choice that many new photographers wouldn't have chose. The light falls flat in most of the photo, but then dances around in the greens in your subject. Again, this is good in this case, because it draws focus where it should be. Also, the contrast of dry and dirty with fresh and new is wonderful in terms of concept.

Nice job.

The Nest
by ArnaMarie

Comment by tome:
I like this, lovely detail on the nest and cloth which could be explored.

Succulent
by ArnaMarie

Comment by tome:
Lovely still life, beautifully composed. I think this could look even better after some processing.