So i just started out last fall with photography. I've learned a lot since then. One thing I learned is when you hit little mile stones with your images its easy to miss obvious imperfections. Being that it was the best image you've taken up till that point. I took this about a week ago, its a 4 sec exposure at f8 iso 100 at 50mm with two images focus stacked and I think it represents the pinnacle of my skill level as of yet. The only thing i would change if i could do it again is expose for the sky behind the trees and blend it in. Are there any other things that could use improvement to make this a better image?
If it was your intent to make the water bluer than normal, you nailed it, but the water is VERY blue. It looks like someone spilled dye in the river upstream from where you shot this.
I think the composition is good, but there is something going on in the foreground. The front rock appears to be in focus (mostly), but the rocks on the right, just a little further from the camera, are clearly out of focus. The background is nice and sharp.
I think it could be a little brighter overall, too.
I played around with different white balances and i found the cooler one to be more true to life because i shot this about 45 minutes before sunrise. But it is a bit too cool looking at it more. And i guess i should've probably kicked it up to f16 and did more focus stacking between the foreground and background. You're right about the brightness but i was wrestling with not blowing out the sky too much. It made the trees in the background look terrible. Thanks for the tips its very helpful.
Alright this is what i was able to do. Its not perfect of course but i think i corrected most of the problems.
MUCH better!
Much better, I agree, Daniel! Actually, I think Phillip over-corrected, with pinkish water, and that's still a little in evidence here. However, you were there, and maybe the rocks, water and tree debris were tinted. I find this sometimes, but it can make for a slightly drab or dull effect. How far you then can, or want to, depart from reality in post raises questions of personal judgment.
You're doing very well in such a short time, Daniel!
Thank you!