BC - Ive looked at these two images again on another computer screen. I still hold the same opinion as before. I have maybe not explained my critique as well as I could have done. I found a web site that explains it far better than I do. I've posted the link for your convenience. http://photocritic.org/correct-exposure/ I trust it is useful.

I'd rather be open and honest and helpful with my critiques opposed to simply just stating 'lovely picture', or 'I like the *th one best'.

Somewhat disappointingly I personally find on YOP that the latter scenario is more common and there is very little technical or even useful comment forthcoming, particularly where C&C is displayed. If I was a beginner, I'd be craving that type of critical feedback

To all thanks for opinions and to JR particulalrly thanks for your explanation. I value your opinion, really. Nobody really wants to see their pictures rubbished but you are one of the few people here that does actually contribute a technical and hence helpful critique. I genuinely value your response. I did post a smiley as what I said was 90% tongue in cheek. You just have to learn to give people a sh*t sandwich i.e. you put some good in with the bad People in the forum generally do tend to be over complimentary. As we have said before people will learn more if they post technical information and tend to be subject to more critique so long as they invite it. Many people don't have this flag set in their control panel and consequently get no real feedback.

Technically the D70s is known to err on underexposure and I have to admit I am finding it difficult with the camera metering in these pictures and in this country. The bright (sometimes featureless winter) white skies and land which is 2 or 3 stops less. A poor craftsman can't blame his tools but it seems harder to control than film cameras I used to use and also the D70 seems to have a lesser ability to do this than the D300 for example. Then I don't think my elementary PP skills do any favours to the image. I'm trying but maybe I got it wrong. I was trying to boost up the contrast (as per critique last week!) and dodge and burn some of the features so maybe I have over cooked the goose? Sharpness, well actually maybe you are right, but I forgot to sharpen the image in processing. Maybe that explains that point? I can't imagine it is shake or lens as the Sigma is known to be quite a good performer. Others seem to think the pics are ok but maybe they are all wrong, you are right, who knows, I'm sure if we were standing in the Tate people would be arguing the same over a piece. To be honest many pictures were grabbed quite quickly and maybe didn't have the love and care they desperved as my dad ex-marine and hill walker despite his age belives in moving on and getting there in record time! phew...

Ok, so student hat back on and this is genuinely wanting to understand what is wrong. Forget the frame but what are we talking about in the image that suggests underexposure or overexposure rather than too much PP? I have manipulated the image to try and keep the sky and land features. what do you recommend? I shoot my images in RAW so I am left wondering if my processing is the main fault as the images are flat and generally dark and dull which I know is a well documented starting point for many D70/s owners.

Oh, and thanks for the link I haven't read it prior to writing this so maybe there are some answers...

Not sure if I should comment or not but on my monitor they do lack clarity of detail. Cannot say if this in in the actual shot as taken or the post editing work, think it may be the latter.

EDIT sorry posted the reply to page one unaware of page two, rather than delete my remark I have left it hopping you understand it is of little point as JR has looked and explained the problem.

This is a tough call BC. I hesitate to comment yet feel these are opinions and not criticism. I feel composition is an issue on both photos. There's so much foreground that holds no interest that the lovely trees & sky get lost in the background. My monitor shows overexposure in the first and underexposure in the second.