The barn with a view
by docjonny

Comment by Neat:
Just wondering if this is the other half of those Aussies travelling the world?? Fantastic POV, lovely rolling hills and blue lake, gorgeous overall!

The Romance of Lake Como
by docjonny

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

This shot has so much potential...I love the composition and the setting, it's so romantic...that it could be absolutely stunning, but I have to side with Neat here. The light is flat and just does nothing for the gorgeous scenery around it. Going by the sharp thin shadows visible in the sides of the background mountains, I can tell it was shot in late morning or early afternoon. The sky beyond the mountains is almost bleachy. With a scene like this, it is worth getting up very early or going out a bit later just to get the light.

In terms of settings, the deepest dof won't do a very good job if the ISO is high, and for a midday shot, ISO 200 is high. I don't know how low Fuji goes, but surely it can do ISO 100, right? If absolutely necessary to get the shot at this time of day then jack up the speed to help minimize the amount of light entering your camera. Save slow shutters for when you have a tripod and a nice sunset or sunrise.

Sorry if this is a bit harsh, but I can see so clearly what this shot could be...!

Feel free to PM me

Susan

The Romance of Lake Como
by docjonny

Comment by clickodak:
Nice view I give 8

The Romance of Lake Como
by docjonny

Comment by Neat:
I've been there I know how stunning this place is. I would go as far as saying it was probably the most gorgeous place we travelled to when were in Italy. it's a shame you didn't wait for a sunset or sunrise, the lighting is very flat maybe you just was not out and about at the right time, but man this could've been really really good!

The Romance of Lake Como
by docjonny

Comment by wdamman:
Love Lake Como!

The flying "B"
by docjonny

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Lovely idea, and very good subject choice for this challenge, but there are a few areas you need to work on. You did an excellent job of avoiding glare, which is always very tough when shooting such a reflective surface; nor do I see you in the reflection either. Very good! :-)

Now, what you need to work on...I know this is a challenge where you are meant to crop tightly but even so I wish the top of the B and that wingtip were in the shot. As noted, the focus seems to be more on the front part of the base on which the B rests as opposed to the B itself, and it's meant to be the star of the shot. The reflections of the flying B are fantastic btw! Finally the tilted horizon is one of those things that voters either love or hate, along with things like vignettes and heavy use of HDR. FWIW most voters seem to like their horizons level, so keep that in mind.

Hope this helps

Susan

Misty Winter Lake
by docjonny

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Lovely dreamy feel with all those gradient tones of blue. The mist and calm adds so much eeriness, it's almost too serene...I keep expecting to see a monster emerging from the water to set all kinds of chaos going! :-) Small wonder you got a top ten here, you should be proud. This pic is proof that not all images need to be heavily blasted with saturation to do well, that much subtler work is just as beautiful.

Congrats again on the top ten and hope this has been helpful,

Susan

Misty Winter Lake
by docjonny

Comment by Ivory:
Very nice tones, congratulations on your top 10 image.

The flying "B"
by docjonny

Comment by WonderDude:
I really like this shot! And BTW, is that your Bentley?

The flying "B"
by docjonny

Comment by giantmike:
Good thinking for this challenge. But it looks the the focus is on the circle instead of the main part of the decoration.