Lilac landscape

[Duckydoodle]

I'm rubbish at landscapes and took these yesterday because I thought they looked interesting. Well let loose and let me know whether I should stick to my usual type of shot. Probably would have looked interesting if someone else had taken them :lol:

1.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd155/mausue/Cloudyday1165pb.jpg

2.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd155/mausue/Cloudyday1163pb.jpg

C&C welcome :)

[rh1944]

I think the tree line in #1 is in the wrong place - it seems too central to me; higher or lower but on a third. Also the foreground seems a bit dark to me.

In #2 the tree line is in a much better position, but yet again the foreground seems too dark. I'm tired and it might be my eyes and this monitors not up to much either.

The skies are great, plenty of character. I am not sure about the protrusion to the right of the images; it may be all right and yet it gives the imprssion that the bush is bigger than the tree which is unlikely.

I do hope some of that helps. I am sure that with a little concentration, you'll be doing for landscapes what you're capable of doing for practically everything else - which is producing fabulous images.

[Duckydoodle]

Thanks for the feedback Russell. As I said I'm terrible at landscapes and don't get much opportunity to take many but would like to improve. Your comments are very helpful :)

[dazzajl]

It's always good to see folks wander out of the comfort zone. Your own take on these is probably about right but landscapes are just the same as the stuff you do shoot. Vision is the tough part, once you start to "see" the shots, working out how to create them is alot easier. :thumbs:

[Duckydoodle]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback dazzajl. I don't get much chance to capture landscapes and only have the kit lens so I think a lot more practice might just make perfect or more like an ok shot :lol:

[erding]

For me you have some good clouds drama in both images and the dash of blue sky works as a nice contrast.

What does not work is that the lilac is 'lost' within the surrounding shrubbery - a bit of PP work to lighten the shrubs and bring out the lilac would help.

[dcash29]

Is the landscape over the lilac bush?

You need to get out more, find a stone wall, a stream, fields.... foreground interest leading to background interest/view.

Look for similar lighting so that shadow area isnt totally filled in.

Photograph what makes you happy or if you would like to do landscape, view an example on here and try to copy it for starters.

[Trev Rich]

I love your work but im sorry, this don't work for me.
It kinda feels like you are trying to see over the hedge in the first one? sorry :(

[Duckydoodle]

Thank you all for the feedback. It is helpful and I appreciate it. I was totally out of my comfort zone and thought I'd have ago at something different but guess it didn't work this time. I'd rather not process the image to death if it's no good it's no good. Trev don't be sorry I appreciate the honesty :)

[toonamp]

The first step out of the comfort zone is allways hard for me, but it's usually well worth the effort, good on you :) :thumbs:

[HanC]

Good on you for trying new stuff....i like the composition, particularly in the second photograph, i agree with what some others have said about the lilac being slightly 'lost' within the photo so maybe a fiddle with photoshop? Nice though, and always good to test new idea's!

[hillwalkinggirl]

It's nice to see that you are trying something different, so stick at it and you will soon get it right. For landscapes initially I would use the kit lens at its widest angle, instead of your nifty fifty. Try to concentrate on the subject in the distance, but shoot from a low angle and use something to give foreground interest. When using the 18mm end of your lens get close up to the foreground interest so that this will appear quite big, and this will have the effect of making whatever is behind it recede into the distance.Don't forget to use the rule of thirds. I hope this makes sense.

[rh1944]

Brilliant advice, makes me want to attch my kit lens and go out and shoot landscapes. However, I'm stuck in Coventry with my W300 so I'll have to make the most of that.

[fletch5]

hi ducky, well these are different:). i agreee with most that your foreground is two dark, perhaps try some fill flash or just lighten up the foreground using pp, wouldnt count it as overprocessing. the clouds and sky are well exposed and look good, but i think your missing something in the middle,perhaps lifting the camera a little higher to get some more "middle" ground interest over the top of the foreground?

prefer the whole tree in the shot(no2).

[Duckydoodle]

Thank you all very much for the advice and encouragement I really do appreciate it. I like landscape photography and would like to improve. Don't think I'll ever be a whizz at it but really want to give it a go just need the opportunity to practice :)

Barbara that was really helpful and makes perfect sense. Next time I get the opportunity I will definitely be following your advice :)