Water and sky, a photo from Somerset, England

Photographer's Note

We recently had a holiday in Somerset in the South West of England. We stayed near the town of Langport which is on what is known as the Somerset Levels. It is a low flat area which was once covered by sea. Dutch engineers eventually drained it in the 17th century. It has a maximum altitude of 25feet above sea level. Towns in the area are subject to flooding. The land is now farmed and willows are grown for making furniture, baskets etc. This is an image of the River Parret near Drayton and Midelney.

pajaran, jhm, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nagalaut (756) 2021-10-09 9:19

Hello David,

I like the way the river leads my eyes to the horizon and the fact that you didn't succumb to the usual "the sky should only take 1/3 of the image" rule.

As I've been dealing with similar issues (do I expose for sky, ground, or average), I know the problems you were facing with this photo. I have posted a workshop edit where I made a few small adjustments (sky's highlights, ground's exposure, and reduced the sun created lens artifacts that appeared as a result. What do you think?

[workshop] [compare] +

lousat (139342) 2021-10-09 9:39

Hi David,same place in 2 pics made in different exposures,i like all, and the view reminds a lot the flat countryside of my village so green and full of canals,great backlight and reflections. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

jhm (211736) 2021-10-09 10:01

Hello David,

Nice rural panorama view.
The long river with reflections makes your picture attractive
Also you create depth and perspective.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ifege (48183) 2021-10-09 21:45

Hi David
The sky and reflections turn a nothing much scene into a good one. Well spotted and taken.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (147248) 2021-10-09 23:28

Hi David,
Good vertical presentattion and perspective effect, I like too the water reflection, well captured, tfs.

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-10-10 2:21

Hello David,

You have confirmed the flatness of the land in the Somerset Levels. The river does look very much like a drainage ditch, easily prone to flooding.
I like how the river guides and I like how we can catch a view of the sky in the river.
I think I might have been tempted to crop a lot of the sky to a third of the frame, relying on the river reflection for further details.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

COSTANTINO (116604) 2022-02-09 21:25

Hello dear David and have a nice day
and a happy evening...
I like the way you captured this photo..
I like the end of the river
drawing my eyes away...
a delicate photo indeed
great backlight and reflections
regards
Costantino