|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 32 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
I think the B/W format helps to add an "old timey" feel to the image. I also like the fact that the hammer is slightly blurred as it seems to add a bit of motion to the image. Like the previous reviewer, I also thought it was taken somewhere in Asia. |
Nov 11th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 32
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| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Wayne
It is interesting to note your comment about the difference between Eastern and Western art. I learned something. I'll have to keep that in mind for future reference. |
Nov 26th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Wow! My oh my! The original was an excellent shot. But this is so much better. Now you have a great angle on the head and the bull looks so much more majestic! PLUS----you got the grass away from his nose. I think that this is by far the better shot. |
Nov 19th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Actually, I do like Cheryl's idea of looking for another frame with the hope that the bull's head has risen. He would be much more majestic with is head up. That said, I bet you don't have such an image or you would have probably already posted it. :-) |
Nov 19th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Reply |
Hi Cheryl (and Richard)
I read Cheryl's post with interest because I too had thought about using Photoshop to remove the grass. I didn't suggest it because I did not know for certain what is the PSA's rules on such editing. This morning I checked and learned the following.
The Digital Discussion groups are designed to promote a "discussion" on what makes a better image and how we can improve our photography. We are part of a Nature Plus group which had relaxed rules that allow for the "hand of man" to be visible in our images so already have a bit more freedom in creating images. PSA generally frowns on such surgical editing as removing grass (or anything else) but since the purpose of this group is not to prepare images for competition but only for discussion we can do the editing, but would have to state that we had done it and thus recognize that it is not a from the camera image. We can edit images as much as we wish, if it is for discussion purposes.
So, now you know as much as I do. Hope this helps. What the heck, remove the grass, I'll never tell. |
Nov 19th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
What a beautiful location. So many vibrant colors it is hard to capture them all.
I wanted to try some things with this image but the file size when downloaded is so small I had a hard time. I changed the crop, that was easy, because I felt that the big rock in the lower left was competing with the pool and also pinched in the left edge a bit (By the way---there are four spots on your sensor on the left in the clouds--three were cropped out) Then I adjusted the following settings in LR as shown below:
Contrast= +20
Highlights= -30
Shadows= +30
Whites= +15
Blacks= -30
Clarity= +10
Vibrance= +10
I wanted to try to bring the highlight in the center below the pool down more---but couldn't on the small file.
I wondered if a polarizer might have helped. You indicated that you did not use a filter, so I was thinking. I also tried to bring up the turquoise of the pool, but couldn't due again to the small size of the file.
If you don't like any of this it is OK by me. After all it is your picture and whatever you like is the right way to create it. These ideas are just for discussion sake as that is what the forum is all about.
|
Nov 12th |
 |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Reply |
Hi Madhu. I read your comment and you seem to have hit upon the same feeling I have with this image. The colors are great but alone to me the scene needs a stronger subject. This is a problem I find with lots of nature scenes---the overall is amazing but something has to anchor our eye. Lots of judges talk about there needing to be something on the beach, or at the end of the trail or at the vanishing point. That is what I feel about this. I want to go to this location to see it but my eye needs a place to fixate--so since this is a nature forum how about a 10 point buck standing in the center, maybe even a spotted fawn? |
Nov 12th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Reply |
Thanks Richard. Glad you noticed the horizontal lines. Most of the canyon screams for vertical composition, but I thought that with so many horizontal lines I could force this the other way. It looks good on the computer, but I'm afraid in the end this is a vertical shot as that would show the depth of the gorge more favorably. |
Nov 12th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Reply |
Thank you Madhu. Most of what I shot in the gorge had to be vertical because of the narrowness of the gorge. This is one of the few scenes I could shoot both ways. As I stated I like the horizontal for my computer screen, but if I decide to print it I think the vertical is the better shot. I've been wondering what others would say, that is why I posted this shot for November. |
Nov 12th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Hi Richard
When I posted your bio earlier today I had a chance to get to know you a bit better. The read was quite interesting. Like you, I grew up looking at the world through the eyes of a National Geo photographer and always dreamed of making those images. It is great to see that you have begun to live that dream. This month's submission is quite a wonderful photo. You have certainly come a long way from the dreamy eyed 11 year old boy. Based on this image you have developed a pretty good eye and used it quite well. Some of those Youtube videos are pretty good. And you mentioned that you are a Steve Perry fan. All good stuff. When it first came out I picked up Steve Perry's Secrets to Wildlife Photography and found it quite helpful. If you have not seen it here's a web link. It sells for less than $15.
https://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-to-stunning-wildlife-photography/ |
Nov 11th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Thanks for the compliment Max. While I can use LIghtroom (where I do almost all my processing) to recreate most filter effects I cannot use it to mimic a polarizer. Thus it is used a great deal. I am also most comfortable with my GND so it gets used also. This is perhaps the most iconic site in the Glen and I wanted to create the "feel" of when I was there. As you noted, there is not much light in much of the Glen so I wanted to keep that feel. I tried to lighten it up more, but just did not like it. I think the feel of being in the gorge makes the images more powerful. I hope this makes the viewer feel pinched between the cliffs. I had not thought of the "winter" feel, but now that you mention it, I think you are right. Thanks again. |
Nov 9th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
This is certainly a stunning image. The depth of field is enough to keep everything in sharp focus and the shutter and flash combination were enough to freeze everything. However the two things that strike me the most are the incredible sharpness of EVERYTHING in the image and the absolutely beautiful background that sets off the subject perfectly. You mention that this is sort of a "grab" shot and while that doesn't matter when viewing the final image, I note that you got the subject on a diagonal which adds strength to the final image. I don't know if the diagonal was created by the angle you held the camera when you took the shot or it was natural--either way it really works. You clearly have a great deal of skill in the macro genre. |
Nov 9th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Thank you Michael for your compliment. While I was at the Glen I took hundreds of photos. It is a beautiful location. I included the link to the Watkins Glen page on my web site below. If you are interested you can see the rest of my shots here: https://reminisces.smugmug.com/RECENT-ADDITIONS-1/Watkins-Glen-State-Park/
If you have any other questions above my set up, please feel free to ask. I'll be happy to provide what answers I can.
|
Nov 8th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Wow! I think this is an excellent environmental/ creature in his element image. The frosty morning is what makes this an above average shot. You have used excellent composition tool and placed the bull in a perfect position on one of the fixation points and you have also left him room to move into the image. The browns of the bull contrast quite well with the frost to sett off the bull. Your selection of f-stop softens the background just enough help the bull stand out and your shutter speed froze the movement of the bull perfectly. The high ISO and the resulting softness is not really noticeable in the final image so that worked as well.
On a side note, Steve Perry, a noted wildlife and nature photographer (who uses Nikons) has recently published an article with 1.5 hours of videos on how to best sharpen high ISO images. I've only just started the videos and if they turn out as good as they seem I'll let you know... Might be something to look at for the future.
On a nik-pic note--I'll assume that you took this shot in burst mode and perhaps you have another image of this scene.
What I'm wondering is if you have another image where the foreground foliage is not covering the nose of the bull. The pieces covering his body don't seem to bother me, but that one on his nose...
All-in-all this is an excellent image. One I really like.
I've been to Cataloochee to see the elk in the past---I hope you enjoyed the ride in and out on that wonderful road. |
Nov 8th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Reply |
First thanks for the compliment, it is appreciated. Now for a word about blurred water. This was especially true at Watkins Glen. The gorge is really quite dark in that it is trapped between massive cliffs on both sides. To get a shutter speed high enough to stop the movement of the water I would have to raise my ISO to something around 1000 to 1600. I really don't like doing landscape images at that lofty of an ISO. I need the higher f-stop numbers to maintain depth of field. Many of my images include strong foreground elements that are quite close to the front of the lens and in order to keep them in focus I need those high f-stop numbers. Thus my choice is to blur the water.
As a side note, more of my waterfalls and in dark glens, often darker than what I had at Watkins Glen so this is seems to follow me where ever I go.
|
Nov 6th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
As Stephen noted it is quite interesting that you found a pictorial gem tucked nicely away inside of a previous image. Silhouettes generally provide an element of mystery and I feel this image really does that. At first glance I almost thought this was a colonial style militia man mapping his route with his trusty musket leaning on the table. But then as I look more closely I realized that this is not a return to the 18th century. Thus I agree that the broom handle needs to be removed and so does the rest of the clutter on the table. Of course those flies need to be spotted out as the viewer really doesn't know what they are.
On a final note we are looking at a small sized image which does help the appearance of quality. Your displayed image is only about a third of the total size of the original image. I always strive to use almost the entire image size in my final image. If cropping, I would never crop more than 30% of the original image. Thus I wonder about the quality of the image if it was to be printed at anything more than a small size. Of course if this is only for display size as we see it here, then this is absolutely perfect.
|
Nov 6th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
I would bet this is a beautiful location as the colors of the ferns are simply amazing. I know I would love to have this area available to walk through on a regular basic. You have also created a partial frame with the appearance of the tree on the left side and the similar tree that shows on right side. However when I look at the image I feel it lacks a strong subject other than just the color. I do feel that your processing method has brought out majesty of the ferns by representing their natural tones. |
Nov 6th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Reply |
I always try to get some photography time for myself everywhere we go. Even if it just one outing, or one moment. But my goal stems from something Ansel Adams said that being "12 photographs in a year is a good crop." So my goal when on a trip or an outing is just to get ONE really good photo. One time on the trip I just want to get everything right---light, composition, subject, setting---the whole ball of wax! Over the years I've found this often makes my wife happy. I can grab a shot or two without holding up the group, but I aim to get just one right. I will note, that over the years the shots hanging on the walls and the photos my wife likes the most and those 1 shots. This has translated to her giving me the time, or opportunity to get that one shot that I want. It is also a reason why I have gotten into shooting at night. Then I can drop her off at the hotel, and maybe get out for an hour in dark. Maybe next month I post a night shot example, just for fun. |
Nov 6th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Pardon my slow working mind. I just had the thought that perhaps you could have avoided backlighting and the ponderosa pine by moving to the far to the right that would set the bristle cone on the left of the frame and the Hoodoos on the right. Of course I do not know if you would have fallen over the edge of the cliff (that would be a real "downer"). Basically what I'm trying to do is isolate that bristle cone so it is not competing with another tree. I love the tree and the rocks and am trying to figure how to make them more dominate. I still like the original image as a subject. |
Nov 6th |
| 67 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
I think you have done a good job of capturing what you set out to do. You have a solid composition and have shown the detail of both the HooDoos and the pine. For being back lit you have preserved detail in both the tree and the rocks and neither has much shadow so they remain interesting. I also like the shadow of the tree in the left foreground. The hazy mountains in the background help make a good frame for the main subjects.
If you were to keep the angle and composition you have then I would crop off the green bush that intrudes from the right edge. I would suggest a change in angle I you were to reshoot this subject. You stare that the Bristle Cone is what attracted you to the image but you angle of view had merged that tree with the ponderosa pine behind it. By moving to the left you would remove that pine from behind the bristle cone and thus make that tree more dominate in the over all image.
I believe that you have done a much better job of processing than last month as the colors have a much ore natural feel to them. You have a fine picture to remember you trip.
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Nov 6th |
13 comments - 6 replies for Group 67
|
| 69 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Just a visitor from Group 67. I love shooting wildlife and have always been fascinated by BIG elk. Living in south Florida I don't see many of these majestic animals in winter. Your images, for me, captures the essence of what my mind's eye envisions elk should look like in winter. The animal you have photographed is certainly majestic. The "beard", and rugged coat along with the pose and rack make him look regal. The contrast of elk and environment really set him apart. The frosty meadow conveys winter. Well done. You image fulfills my winter dream. |
Nov 27th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 69
|
| 72 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Hi Walt. Just visiting from group 67 and stumbled across this image. This is really exciting. It has a great Wow factor. The colors are great compliments with the sky ad the tones of the wreck almost matching. The powerful diagonal line between the post on the left, the sun and the massive wreck really draws the eye of the viewer. The reflection on the right adds mass to the wreck and thus increases its power. I also like the hint of a vignette created by the shadows in the left and right foreground as it helps to focus the eye on the subject. Well done indeed. |
Nov 8th |
| 72 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Hi Bruce. Just visiting from Group 67 and found this wonderful bear image. I think your crop is perfect and the angle of the bear's head creates dynamic motion. The eye contact the bear makes with the viewer is quite powerful and works well. Nice work!! |
Nov 8th |
2 comments - 0 replies for Group 72
|
| 75 |
Nov 18 |
Comment |
Hi. Just visiting from Group 67. I really like this image. You got just the perfect amount of blue to make it interesting and yet keep some clarity in the moving water so I can see the greys in the water. I also like the diagonal line of the water and the framing with the trees. |
Nov 8th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 75
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18 comments - 6 replies Total
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