A simple winter composition that I more or less thought of as a "throw away" image. The more I come back to it though, I start appreciating it more - I think it is a good representation of a tranquil winter day, and I find it relaxing to view.
Still don't necessarily think its portfolio worthy; but perhaps other will find it appealing :)
I share your reservations, Peter, in that the image is OK with no obvious weaknesses, but for me it lacks focus, or an impact, or alternately, say a particular air of calm tranquility. A bit generic, if you like. And I live in an area where actually seeing something like this in reality would be "quite something" as we really don't have it here.
A personal idiosyncrasy of mine is that I've never been a fan of the square format, so that's another unticked box. But that's just me. Victor Hasselblad wouldn't lose any sleep over me!
In your place, I imagine it would be a keeper, but not portfolio material, to use your criteria. ( Ihave lots of those!) Thank you for being prepared to put something up you DO have doubts about.
I totally agree with the "generic" factor - one of my primary issues with the image.
P.S. I think you would have liked the portrait crop less!
Feel like putting it up below the original, Peter? My guess is I'd prefer portrait>landscape> square. Portrait might harmonise with the strong verticals in the trees & reflections.
Un-cropped - sorry for the watermarks...
Yep - prefer this! It is less symmetrical about the horizontal axis, so I find myself looking into the water more, rather than finding my eye flipping back & forth, but not pleasurably, between landscape & reflection. Maybe that's just me.
Incidentally, Peter, as the original poster you can post additional images on the left, not just here in comments. Viewers can scroll directly between them - good for comparing edits, for example. You might need to edit the text as well to avoid confusing later viewers.