The Changing Colours of Lake Moogerah

[dje]

I headed out early this morning to catch the early morning light on Lake Moogerah. I would appreciate your views on the these two images. The first was taken about 20minutes before sunrise and the second a few minutes after sunrise. The compositions are a bit different too.

Best viewed full size.

Dave

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[Digital]

Dave, although I like both images, #2 is my choice.



Bruce

[gregj1763]

#2 is my pick of the both good images, the extra glow in the sky from the sun and the way the light falls on the face of the hill make it that bit more special

[dje]

Thanks for commenting John, Bruce and Greg. I think I prefer the second too !

Dave

[deetheturk]

Very nice Dave! No2 for me as well

[John 2]

No. 2 for me as well Dave. Confining the colour to just the hill centres the comp more firmly. Nice image both though.

[IzzieK]

I like both image, Dave....especially #1...When I went to Oz last time, this is exactly how I always see the sunrise each morning. There is something eerie about it and yet beautiful to behold. I wait a little longer to see the same colour as #2 until the morning became glaring as everything goes flat with the sun up. Nostalgic -- I have to go back to Oz soon...

[Stagecoach]

I find it difficult to have a preference here Dave, No I like the overall colour and the sky and No 2 I like the foreground more

A couple of thoughts, whilst the far shore may not have been horizontal you could consider making it? Dust bunnies in No 1 & 2 need cleaning up and a few bright spots around the foreground of No 1.

A couple of lovely captures and must have been great to be there waiting for the sun to come up and anticipating the results.

[dje]

Thanks for your comments David, John, Izzie and Grahame.

Yes timing is all important with this sort of shot. There was some nice colour about 10-20 mins before sunrise, then it went flat until the sun rose over the mountains and directly lit the top of the peak for a couple of minutes. After that, it was time pack up and go home.

Grahame thanks for the heads up on the dust bunnies and also the horizon. The image may not be dead level, I'm not sure but I did use a spirit level. I'll have a play with it. And yes it was a bit fresh but most enjoyable waiting to see what developed as the sun rose.

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

As Izzie mentions, I can appreciate that the light that led to #1 was perhaps more impressive at the time, but in my experience, it doesn't photograph as well as #2 (my choice too).

I agree with both Grahame's thoughts.

Very nice, all the same, Dave

[dje]

Thank you Dave.

[FootLoose]

When I first opened #1 I thought : flamingoes. I do like the light on the flooded trees.

But then I saw #2 and I prefer that one because of the difference in tone between the ranges in the background and the bush in the middle ground. It gives the image a depth that the first one lacks.

Nice work, Dave.

[dje]

Thanks Greg, I agree with your comments.

Dave

[TonyW]

These are very nice and make me think I should visit some time. I wonder though whether the second one in particular would be better if the sides were cropped to feature the central mountain more but it would tell a different story. Also, I usually prefer to have the skyline rising as it comes into the frame, although I have never heard anyone else express that as a composition guideline.

[Ziggy]

Just curious. Do you know what caused all the dead trees?

[dje]

These are very nice and make me think I should visit some time. I wonder though whether the second one in particular would be better if the sides were cropped to feature the central mountain more but it would tell a different story. Also, I usually prefer to have the skyline rising as it comes into the frame, although I have never heard anyone else express that as a composition guideline.

Thanks Tony. Yes it is a very photogenic area, especially in the soft light of early morning and late evening. I will have a look at a tighter crop. I was after a panoramic effect but as you say a tighter crop would tell a different story.

Dave

[dje]

Just curious. Do you know what caused all the dead trees?

Jim this lake is not a natural lake but rather one formed by the construction of a dam wall. I suspect the trees died after being submerged.

Dave

[bnnrcn]

Very nice images Dave I would prefer #2 though if I had to choose one. I find the composition better , the reflection of the big hill looks very nice and clear and there are no distracting highlights on the water. I also loved the light on the hill.

[dje]

Thanks Binnur.

Dave