What on earth is it???
 

I'm not sure whether this is the right place to put this - but here goes anyway.

I took three photos of a mountain lake. They all have this strange 'thing' seemingly in the water that to my eyes looks like something generated by either the camera or my computer. I have also attached a drastically cropped version of the 'thing. What do you think it is really? Should I leave it there or try to edit it out?

skwatch

First question, is the ' thing ' in the same place on each frame irrespective of the scene, or in the same spot in the scene irrespective of camera position.

Don

Skywatch,I think perhaps for the moment edit it out,but why not try a couple of other shots,just to test as to whether or not,it is cam or computer,or was there actaully something in the water.Looks very strange.

OK - the 'thing' seems to be in the same place in each photo - seeming to be in/on the water in front of the reflection of the snow/ice. It is there even though I changed position when using the camera. So that sounds like it was something in/on the water. However, I can't think of anything that would be in a mountain lake that would look like that!

This 'thing' wasn't on other pictures taken the same day - or since. Still, to me, it looks like something connected to technology rather than a lake!

I wasn't expecting to have to try to identify Unidentified Floating Objects when looking at my photos. Thanks for looking and scratching your heads too.

skwatch

looks like a dead branch floating in the water to me. Nothing unusual in that, I'd say.

Agree...and your lighting and the reflection doubling it gives it more punch than its size alone.

If you have more scenes as beautiful as this, why not post some in the gallery?

I hate to sound contrary but to me it doesn't look like a branch or piece of driftwood. We hiked in (and up!!) about 5 kms to get to this lake which is fed by streams coming off glaciers.

This 'thing' in my photos looks black and white to me - and driftwood isn't two toned like that. A chunk of old painted lumber just wouldn't be there - who on earth would lug it up the trail? (lol).

Oh well - I can set about editing it out sometime when I have nothing else to do.

skwatch

I'm glad you enjoyed the Canadian scenery - I hadn't really thought of doing anything here other than asking for help! Maybe I will look up this gallery you mention.

skwatch
Panasonic FZ10

Might be gollum :D. Unfortunately people do spoil such wonderful places by throwing rubbish in the water even in Canada I guess so it might be that. I do agree with Chris, show us some more of your shots in the gallery.

Oh boy - there are some wonderful pictures in the gallery - and I consider myself lucky if I get something that looks pretty good to me and my aging eyes! That lake was beautiful but all I did was point the camera (on automatic) and push the button.

What I'm hoping to get from you guys is a better idea of what makes a picture good and what is just a pretty picture. I delete a lot of my attempts. However, I keep plenty of the ones that even I can tell aren't 'good', like those of my family members. Some pictures are memory makers rather than attempts to make art and/or beauty I guess.

I tried to put one in the gallery but it was too big. I'll try again now I've read the instructions!

skwatch