Hat Six Area

[twinkle_turnip]

There are truly many things I dislike about where I live. This is not one of them. Literally five minutes out of town (a community of about 60,000) and you're standing in some of the most beautiful and quintessential ranchland the Western United States has to offer.

Not sure how I feel about the tone, however. Part of me likes it (quite a lot, actually) but the other part of me doesn't. I didn't want the rather uninspired sky dominating the image, or the ground from clashing with the grass. I chose to use a harmonious rather than complimentary pallet because I wanted the image to reflect the calm solitude of the place, this is also why I chose to mute the hilights a bit. I actually prefer a degree of flatness in my photographs.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1300/4658960312_a9519671f8_b.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4658338819_b4bee196f2_b.jpg

[Richard]

Welcome to the Forum, It looks like a very nice place. I like the drama the sky adds, I know you have said you have muted the highlights, personally I would play with the curves and add a bit of contrast and maybe try some dodge and burn. To me they look a little washed out. Compositionally I like the spit between earth and sky with the focus pushed onto the landscape.

[twinkle_turnip]

Thnaks richard for the welcome and advice. I increased the contrast in the sky some (didn't want to go too far):

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4659333586_263963b4e2_b.jpg

I am not sure I like this better, however. Though, I tend to be a bit stubborn, too :) what do you think? Any thoughts on eth fluffy cloud that stands out? Should I de-emphasize this?

[Marko]

Top photos not showing but for the third photo - I quite like the composition and mood here, it feels like it's about to rain or has finished raining.

I might try some additional sharpening on the mountains in the background and I might also try making a few of the black areas a bit darker....but i like what you've done here - at this point it's just personal play.
Hope that helps - Marko

[Richard]

I might try some additional sharpening on the mountains in the background and I might also try making a few of the black areas a bit darker....but i like what you've done here - at this point it's just personal play.
Hope that helps - Marko

I agree with Marko... The boosted contrast in the sky is a subtle but works, I see what you mean about that cloud it does look a little out of place!