New Joiners - Landscapes #772

When you compose your shots, take time to explore the entire frame - paying particularly attention to corners and edges. In this instance, the branches creeping into the frame on the left are unnecessary and distracting - the focus should be on the beautiful sunrise and landscape beyond. Remember, if it doesn't 'add' to your shot, exclude it - less is more.

This is a great scene, but the image itself looks a bit washed out and lacks contrast. Photographs typically need a few tiny tweaks and adjustments to bring them alive using photo editing software. Adobe Lightroom is the industry standard, but - in this case - the photographer could have simply used Google's Photo App to add contrast and punch to this file.

This is a lovely rural scene. It is a nicely composed shot, with the straw bales organised and composed in a pleasing way. However, the light is just a bit flat and ordinary. Had the photographer returned to this composition during one of the 'golden hours', this photo would have far more life, contrast, warmth and appeal.

This is an impressive scene and well-captured - with good detail throughout the image, despite the challenging lighting conditions. I do find the vapor trails a little bit distracting, though, and I would be tempted to clone these out using photo editing software.

The combination of misty conditions and dawn colour create lovely atmosphere. Although the shot feels a little imbalanced, with all the points of focus on the far right of the frame, I think the overall mood and tranquility make this is a very appealing photo.

This is a well composed shot, and the condensed perspective from using a telephoto lens really helps highlight the castle, its context, and the impressive mountain backdrop. The letterbox aspect ratio works well. However, the shot is a little dark and too blue in my opinion. I would warm-up the photo slightly, and also tweak the exposure slider.

What a stunning scene this is! The mist adds an attractive softness to the image and highlights the layers and shapes within the landscape. You could easily employ a longer focal length in this instance to capture an array of tighter compositions of the misty trees. The flare is quite dominant, though - I can't quite work out if I think it enhances or weakens the shot. What do you think?

It's scene's like this that make the early alarm call worthwhile. The wispy mist, reflections and dawn colour are lovely. The colours feel a little oversaturated too my eye - I would reduce the vibrancy in processing. I like the silhouetted foreground reeds and grasses, but the little post and wire in the bottom left corner are a little distracting.

This is a really interesting scene. The choice of low shooting angle, using the hole in the ground to frame the trees, is effective. However, I wish the photographer had opted for a slightly wider focal length and hadn't clipped the circular shape of the hole (left and top). The light defining the edge of the cave and hanging vines adds a really nice three-dimensional feel.

I like the idea of this photo, with the low perspective highlighting the blossom decorating the ground, and also making the cherry trees appear larger and more imposing. The composition is good and the photo is also well exposed. Depth of field is insufficient, though, with the immediate foreground and background drifting out of focus. When the foreground is this close to the camera, you ideally need to focus stack to artificially extend the zone of focus.

What a lovely wintry, rural scene. While it is a shame that the sky is cloudless and uninteresting, the skeletal tree creates a lovely focal point and anchors the composition. The frosty landscape provides a seasonal flavour, while the warm morning light is soft and attractive.

Although low cloud is obscuring some of the iconic Yosemite landscape, this image still has plenty of atmosphere and interest. The mist drifting over the tree tops provides mood, and the sharply defined foreground conifers contrast well with the soft, diffused background. I wonder if this image might also work well in black and white.

The photographer has nicely captured the motion of the waves, and Crepuscular (or God) rays provide interest and drama. The highlights in the sky are a little overexposed and distracting, though - and the horizon needs to be straightened, as it is currently a little wonky.