The Lake District

Associate
Joined
22 Aug 2003
Posts
1,414
My weakest area of Photography has always been Landscapes and this summer will set out my 'stall' to improve that area
this week had a drive upto the lakes and got a couple that I am pretty pleased with
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You didn't actually ask for comments, but I'm going to assume you want some and give you what I feel are a few pointers. I'm by no means an accomplished landscape photographer though, so feel free to ignore my ramblings.

There's not an awful lot going on in the first shot; it's a nice enough place to shoot and there's some decent scenery, but I feel that you've not gone into the location enough or thought about what's on offer. My main criticism would be the rocky outcrop to the LHS of the frame - it's really distracting and pulls your eye to the edge of the shot. The top rock being out of focus doesn't really help that unfortunately, and while I'd suggest cropping it out you've also got a shadow cast from it, so it's going to impact on the shot regardless.

What I find interesting is the view through the 'V' of the hills about two-thirds into the shot. I'd recommend taking a mooch along the where the stream runs and see if you can get yourself into a viewpoint where you can shoot down into the valley. You've also got a nice subject right in front of you in the form of the stream trickling over those boulders, and as much of a cliché as it is, some ND action to smooth out the water would make for a nice subject.

Ultimately I think you shot that first one at the wrong time of day, but you've got a promising location and you've got the skills you need to do it justice.

The second one is the better shot (for me) but is spoilt by the wonky horizon and that car on the road. I'd much prefer to see the road empty and just carving its way through the countryside - there's lots of colour in them there hills and it would contrast wonderfully with the road and the drystone walls bordering it.

The other point I'd make about the second one is the water in the top left of the shot - it's distracting, and again pulls my eye from the focal point of the shot (the road) to the top of the frame.

Promising efforts though and a cracking location to play in.
 
Thanks for commenting guys

I feel that shot one was late afternoon and the sky was pretty flat really... and I take on board the comments about the rock at the top left

but I have a couple of shots without the rock.. and I personally like it there, without it the scene looks more empty without it
ideally I would have liked to have been there when the light was better in the evening as the sun went down but as usual its a case of not enough time
but as stated in the opening thread, I will be making a concerted effort to improve my Landscapes this year

shot 2 is the one i like.. and I think your wonky horizon is wrong as its a mountain to the right and goes all the way into the valley below, the remark about the car is a matter of choice really.. It would add to the picture without it possibly - but is certainly not a picture breaker
any way chaps thanks for your comments
 
I think the 2nd photo would have benefited from it being framed a little to the right; the water in the top left is too distracting. Tweaking the colour of the fields would also give the image more impact.

Were these taken on your 16-35 F2.8 ?
 
Hey Buttkicker.

I know that part of the Lakes pretty well and its a great area for photos.

Your first photo (what looks like the view down to Crummack water from the coll next to Buttermere) is a classic location, but those hills can be a bit bleak if the sky is grey or the sun is high. I might have tried to find some details down nearer the water to shoot.

The second photo is very interesting, but isn't the sort of thing i'd want framed on my wall. It would actually be inhanced for me if there wasn't a car in it, and if there was some fg and perhaps a little sky.

Good luck with your landscape work. :)
Here's one I got at Crummack a little ealier in the year

DSC_5435-small.jpg

http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~mxg/lakes/
 
wow very nice photo mate, gj.


you got a fullside one so i can use it as my wallpaper?
 
MichaelG If you don't mind me asking, where about in the Lake District were the photo's taken? I'd like 2 visit lakes when I get chance. Thank you and very nice pictures :)
 
I dont like the square crop at all... and to be honest, its poor form editing other peoples pictures without asking first

SDK
the rd shot was taken using my 200mm Lens

the Other one was taken with my 24-70
 
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