New Windows XP Desktop?

[pentoman]

Took a rather XP-ish shot a few fields away. It almost annoys me though, as it's a decent enough but dull, technical shot. Not sure how I could've spiced it up though. Sorry for link but it's a bit big to stick in a thread.

XP Desktop?



Do you think Microsoft would include it in the next version of Windows? I wonder who took that standard XP 'bliss' photo..



Russ

>>> Edited by pentoman on Saturday 15th January 01:57

[Phil S]

That's a great photo!

It's shame you couldn't take 3 snaps (adjusted to the sun, foreground and hill in shade)and photoshopped them together so that so much data isn't lost on the left of the photo.

[rich 36]

like that, have you got any more landscapes?

[-DeaDLocK-]

The idea and composition is great, but you've got bright sun in the frame and as a result everything else is grossly underexposed. The exposure isn't too bad considering the circumstances, but ultimately there was nothing you could've done.

You could've used a Grad Density filter to help balance out the contrast, but if I were you I'd visit again either at sunset or sunrise and take the shot.

Seriously, go back there one morning when it's still dark (and I mean DARK), and wait. For a couple of minutes before the sun itself pops its head over the horizon, you get a fantastic quality of light - soft, even and at a strong angle which accentuates the textures in the scene. And if there are clouds that morning, they may well be on fire. You can also try the same at dusk/sunset, depending on what angle you want the light to stream through.

Take a tripod and some hot coffee, go out to the same spot before sunrise and I reckon you'll snap an absolute cracker. Give it a go - you may be surprised.

[rich 36]

blimey you lot are keen as mustard for the elusive shot arent you?

[_dobbo_]

rich 36 said:

blimey you lot are keen as mustard for the elusive shot arent you?

Reading a national geographic photography portraits book over the weekend, there was an essay (I forget who by) which said (and I'm paraphrasing a bit) that for most Photographers, the time between taking photos that satisfy is often measured in anything from hours to weeks, months and sometimes years.

Getting a really satisfying photo is truly a great experience - I've only had about 1 in my whole life, so seeking the elusive shot really is a big deal!

[Phil S]

Another critical comment I might make about this photo for use as a desktop is that it is not a background at all!

Study the current Windows XP desktop background selection and what you will see is a bunch of photos with no big attention grabbing focal point.

For instance it would be the photo as above but without the tree in the foreground IMHO.

I'm not trying to take anything away from the picture as I think it is excellent (and far better than anything I have taken!)

[pentoman]

Thanks all - I may pop back there another time for another shot at it, as it came out better than I expected and there's more nice shots to be had in the area.

Agreed it's probably too distracting a desktop!


At the Young Wildlife Photographer exhibition I visited in Bristol recently, each photo there had a description.

One said "This wolf was spotted in (somewhere, someplace) making its journey across the wastelands for food. After only a couple of days, she became quite used to me and my wife following her, then I moved in to snap this shot."


I've improvised half of that as I don't remember the whole description but the point is there - I can't imagine following an animal for 2 days to get a shot of it!!

Russ

[Bee_Jay]

This is my one, straight from the 20D, no processing: