Ranch Land Oak
by clearlakemike

Comment:
Thank you. Not sure what is causing that oil painting effect. I have noticed a blurring on corners or other areas of photos from my camera as well. Guess it is the lens (kit lens w/ Rebel, probably a better quality lens would not blur the edges.)

Originally posted by nico_blue: parts of the grass are beginning to look like an oil painting, i dont know whether this is from post processing or from your camera. Cool shot otherwise.

Ranch Land Oak
by clearlakemike

Comment:
Thank you. I very much appreciate your critque regarding the composition. Yes, a "model" in a pretty dress out in the field would be nice! Thank you for the tips. I have experimented with black and white on this photo and will try again with your suggestions about the contrast and darkening the sky. I am also planning on doing an oil painting of another similar shot of this oak.

Originally posted by arnit: Critique Club: The composition is just great and what an lovely oak and beautiful sky. Someone walking in the field in a pretty dress or some colorful clothing would made this shot so much better. If you are on your own take a tripod with you. Timer 10 second and run to the field :) I would like to see this picture in black and white and lots of contrast. Maby darkening the sky to almost black. Good job on this one and good luck in the future.

Ranch Land Oak
by clearlakemike

Comment:
Thank you very much for your critiques and comments!

World War II Ruins
by clearlakemike

Comment:

Originally posted by Imagineer: Nice observation with great light. I'd like to see the viewpoint even closer to the ruin so that we can see rust, etc. The background landscape really isn't as interesting as the foreground.

Thank you. I will try and zoom and crop so the viewpoint is closer to the ruin. It would be interesting to see the difference.

Bayou Time
by clearlakemike

Comment:
Thank you all for your critiques. It is hard to shoot into the sun. The original was too bright in the sky and everyting else too dark. Also, I did not want to disturb this guy and his truck was parked off to the left, which I did not want in the photo. Would have prefered having sun at my back and better elements for the composition but this was better than nothing, I guess. I learned from your comments.

Bridge over a Reflection
by clearlakemike

Comment:

Originally posted by Kylie: Simply stunning light and beauty. Great eye to see thsi bridge!!

Thank you!! Not all bridges are man made or so literal.

Mike

Bridge over a Reflection
by clearlakemike

Comment:

Originally posted by utro: Gorgeous. There seem to be two bridges in this photo, the sandbridge across the reflection, and the arc of the reflection itself could symbolize a bridging of earth and sky.

Thank you. Glad you were able to see the "bridge(s)". You saw another one that I did not see, the bridging of earth and sky.

Mike

World War II Ruins
by clearlakemike

Comment:

Originally posted by SnapperL: I like this. Shows that man made items can not stand the test of time when compared with mother earth.

Thank you. Yes, those cliffs have been there for 100's of thousands of years and the gun battery is only about 60 years old. This really illustrates our perspective with the geological timeline. We really are only a blink in the universe. Mike