Comments and feedback for a newbie

Tom Abbott

C&C welcome. Picture taken in Balboa Park in San Diego. I've tried to combine several elements. I would love to get the water clearer, but the pond always seems to be murky. Thanks for looking!


Carp and Water Lilies by Thomas N. Abbott, on Flickr

bbjones

I bet San Diego was gorgeous today!

I like the elements a lot, but I wish they would pop a bit more. I think you are probably right -- clear water would help. Can't use a polarizer, or you lose the trees. Hmmm....

Tom Abbott

Thanks for the comments. I did use a CPL on this one, but even with the filter I could not get a satisfying rendition of the water. I agree about "pop". I'm glad for the water lilies in this regard, as they provide the only real pop in the entire frame. Fortunately, this area is easily accessible and I can try to go back at different times of day to see whether the conditions change.

schmoo

Hey Tom I love this shot as it is! Good call with the square format. I think that really emphasizes the harmony in the different elements here.

I also like the toning you did in your processing.

bbjones

You know, I think there are some orange koi in that pond. That might give you a little more pop. Just ask them nice, I'm sure they'll pose.

Tom Abbott

Schmoo: thanks. I did very little processing. I developed the film, though. Otherwise, I scanned it straight and used PS solely to save as JPG for uploading to Flickr. I'm still learning what I like as far as post-processing film.

Bbjones: the orange koi is a good idea! I'm thinking of revisiting this spot at an earlier time of day and there should be plenty of opportunities to take the exposure when the orange koi are closer to the surface. Thanks for the input!

Allan FG

Great composition and the murky water adds an ethereal feel to it.