Hi Derek,

Welcome to EPZ!

Lovely reflection and a nicely composed scene. Slovenia is truly a gorgeous country. The craftsmanship on the sky replacement probably needs a bit of attention though if I'm being honest. Your selection around the mountains intruded on the brighter snow-covered areas of the peaks themselves and it shows up a bit more obviously than you would have intended. It is most obvious on the lower bits on the left and right but the technique is actually quite evident when you compare the reflection to the silhouette of the mountain itself. This looks like it was a good candidate for this technique but it'd take some very careful selection skills to make it look natural. I don't have the patience or the skill It also shows up in that the sky is noticeably darker than its reflection - something that doesn't happen in nature. Kris Dutson here on EPZ does a lot of commercial work and is an out and out master of this technique. I'm sure he'd be able to offer loads of pointers and achieving the desired results.

I mean this critique in a spirit of mutual learning and respect and I sincerely hope I have not offended.

I'm off to comment on your portrait submission as it is a cracker!

Cheers!

Bob G.

Hi Dennis,

Good composition and exposure to my eye. Well balanced with really nice light. Reminds me of "Drystone Wall, Winter Dawn" by Joe Cornish. The only down side to this one, and it is nothing you could control, is the length of barbed wire running along the wall. I personally find it visually distracting and that aspect would probably keep me from buying this as a print. (I only make that observation having seen your recent great article in OP this month.)

I have massive admiration for your work and for your decision to have a go at turning your hobby into a career. You've got the skill but it takes serious guts to really give it a go so I have the utmost respect. I sure wish you the very best mate!

Bob G.

Hi Tom,

Lovely scene and I especially like how you've balanced the line of that small cascade amongst the bright foreground leaves. Good choice for combined exposures too but it does look like there is a pretty strong yellow cast to this one right now. Easy fix in PP though.

Cheers!

Bob G.

Outstanding work Paul. The placement of the lighthouse is perfect and that subtle diagonal really works to lead the eye to it.

Cheers!

Bob G.

Hi Pavol,

Lovely soft, reflected light with dynamic composition. Bags of interest throughout the frame. No idea how fast the clouds were moving but it might have been cool to have made the image a few seconds earlier or later to allow that curved bank of cloud to somewhat frame the middle lighthouse.

Cheers!

Bob G.

Hi John,

Lovely floral detail. I'm wondering if a bit of levels adjustment might be in order to bring up the whites a tad?

Cheers!

Bob G.

Really beautiful image with the best possible light on that fella grazing. I wonder if there is wiggle room to crop (or clone) that bit of bush touching the frame on the left? I think this would make for a good print.

Cheers!

Bob G.