Taking Over

[jjeling]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4410108124_8489d5b955_b.jpg

This is some moss that covers the stones at the Erie Canal location I was shooting at. Not exactly man made, but abstract none the less. Wasnt sure where to post it, but it could use a critique or two.

[casil403]

I like the colour here,, the texture, the subtle shadows and the lines of the stick...about the only thing I would do is perhaps clean it up a little by removing some of the bits of fluff around it.
Neat stuff JJ. :)

[Marko]

I like the shape of the branch here and the overall composition. I agree with casil though on the cleanup...and it looks oversharpened to my eye.
Hope that helps - Marko

[Mad Aussie]

Funny ... I was thinking the opposite. Remove the stick and leave the leaves etc. I find the stick an ugly distraction that doesn't add anything to the shot.

The leaves are bit over-exposed though.

It would make a nice setup shot if you found a nice big leaf to lay on there.

[jjeling]

Ill do what I can. The lighting was a bit harsh at the time as you might tell by the shadows and the highlights. Ill go back on a overcast day for a different exposure. Should help with the saturation and highlight control. Thanks guys.

[Mad Aussie]

I liked the light JJ. It looked to be quite a low angle light and gave good texture to the moss. I also liked the shadows cast onto the moss. Looks mottled, like the light was through a tree canopy.

[jjeling]

It was roughly 12 noon when I took the picture. The light was extremely hard, but the angle comes from the seasonal position of the earth(or something like that). It makes for some good pictures under the right circumstances. The pictures of the Canal were averaging at ISO 100, F40, and 1/6, and I was using a polarizer(adjusted for the effect on the water). This individual picture was at ISO 100, 55mm, F8, and a shutter speed of 100.

[jjeling]

Went back today for another effort. This one any better? Straight out of the camera, no sharpening this time. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4423832404_57d7ca41a9_b.jpg

[Mad Aussie]

I prefer the mottled effect of the first one. This one is bestter exposed I think though.

[jjeling]

I dont like either of them unfortunately. Im not sure why I am struggling with this one. This is one of those rudimentary shots that should be easy to nail. Thanks MA.

[kurtdriver]

I'll agree with MA on this. The stick and stuff in the first are a bit of a distraction, in the second, I think the same of the stone. As MA suggested a setup shot here would be quite cool, that moss would make a great background and the saturation might be a good thing for that purpose.