Iceland 1

[AP]

Here is my first attempt that I had recently been working on the past four days in my spare time. Much work to be done, for one... flora. Other alterations will be considered.

[Dune]

Cool start. The rock on the right side is perfectly suited for a waterfall.

[AP]

Never done a waterfall before. It's a matter of it looking real enough to justify adding it there.

[DannyG]

I like the set up here. Spot on with the greens. Look forward to this one for sure

[TheBadger]

Interesting start. I like the cliffs to either side. Helps to define the comp well.

[AP]

I like the set up here. Spot on with the greens. Look forward to this one for sure

At first I thought the small flora was too bright but after looking at references, not the case at all.

[AP]

Interesting start. I like the cliffs to either side. Helps to define the comp well.

Yes. 

[Dune]

I actually don't know if the greens are really that bright in Iceland or if that's just the photographic enhancement/effect wanted by the photographers. You can't tell colors by checking out photo's, but as a photographic effect is needed for the competition anyway, it doesn't matter.
Oshyan can probably tell us (though he was there in winter). Anybody else been there?

[Oshyan]

Yes, I was there in late winter/early spring so I can't really say for sure how it is in spring or summer. I do have a hard time believing that many of the Iceland images are not somewhat enhanced though. The images I have seen of things I did see while I was there have almost always been enhanced (and indeed many of my images have some amount of enhancement too, though I try to stick to adjustments that I feel reflect what I saw or felt when I took the shot). So I am not sure things are *quite* as bright and *saturated* as many photos show, but still it is a quite uniquely colored, and high contrast landscape overall. Indeed, if there was anything I would emphasize it is the contrasts and how sharp and unexpected (and seemingly unnatural) they can be.

- Oshyan

[AP]

Changing directions rather drastically. Comments and critiques are welcome.

[Oshyan]

Interesting. I think I like the new one better. The snow and strata on those distant mountains is quite nice. Need to see the foreground develop and become a bit more distinctive before I know quite what to think of that... It's a good start in another direction though, I think.

- Oshyan

[AP]

Not certain as to what I want to do with the foreground over what I have now.

[Dune]

Yes, I like this better as well. A bit on the dark side maybe, and you need irregularity in the cones. A lower POV maybe for some more defined definition/close up view of the foreground.

[FrankB]

I think the low clouds are in a difficult position in this image. If they would have smaller features, be lower, and would be positioned in a way so that they do not obstruct a clean view upon the valley, then this could make a big difference.

Do volcano opening like these really exist on Iceland or anywhere? I should not be surprised, Iceland is full of unique wonder, but still curious.

Cheers
Frank

[Oshyan]

Why yes, they do.
http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/72941048

I didn't see any myself though, I think they're more in the North or interior, which was less accessible when I was there in the spring.

- Oshyan