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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 3 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
This is nicely done. It is one of the best fireworks displays I have seen in quite a while.
Did you do any adjusting to get those singular colors? |
Aug 5th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 3
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| 5 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
This is quite a captivating image of the temple. The composition really works for this image. The fact that you have entirely filled the frame with the greens of the temple really adds to the strength of the image. The singular man, particularly the flesh colors, draw the eye of the viewer like a magnet. His head angle tells me I'm supposed to look at the temple in a very subtle and yet effect manner. I really like this image a great deal.
May I suggest two minimal changes. On the right edge there is a statue framed on the wall. I feel providing a closure to the framing around her would give her a more complete feeling. The second suggestion would be to eliminate the black hole on the left edge. With all the other warm tones in the image that solid black just makes me look at it because it is different.
No matter what, this is a truly stunning image and you did quite well seeing, capturing and processing it. |
Aug 5th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 5
|
| 13 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Id you are not on the payroll for the park you should be. Just looking at this image makes me want to go to the park.
You have made incredible use of the light in capturing those golden hues. Additionally, you have created a beautiful frame with the curve of the title and the log beneath the birds.
I do feel there is a bit too much noise. However there are numerous options which would allow you to deal with that. |
Aug 5th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 13
|
| 17 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Sheldon
I think your enhancement of the flowers on the right make quite a dramatic statement. Now I'll give this a 10. :-) Well done. |
Aug 9th |
| 17 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
This is a fine dramatic image of the rim of the canyon. Getting up at dawn was certainly worth it. I feel your composition creating a strong diagonal line from the light spot in the upper left, to the sun, then the rays and finishing with the slot in the canyon rocks in the lower right corner is extremely powerful. The enhanced yellow flowers in the lower right compliment the sun in the upper left. Putting these elements on the fixation points contributes to the strength of the image. All the other elements work well.
If I would do anything to the image it might be to bring up the brightness of the yellow flowers to help anchor that powerful diagonal line.
This is really well done. |
Aug 5th |
1 comment - 1 reply for Group 17
|
| 28 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Colleen
I'm the administrator for Group 67 and am just dropping by. Now I'm really glad I did. I live in south Florida where we are infested with alligators, a smaller cousin to your magnificent beast! This is a very powerful image and certainly a once in a lifetime capture. You have managed to capture this in excellent light which adds to the power of the image--those gold hues are wonderful. Sadly, the image is a bit over exposed. There are too many blown highlights at the top of the image. Jim has done an excellent job of helping to control those areas and his second attempt where he fixed the upper jaw work pretty well. I would suggest perhaps using an adjustment brush to tone down the croc's hide, but not the inside of the jaws. Since the eye is drawn to light and bright, after you tone down the highlights at the top, and bring down the croc's hide a touch the open jaws will really drawn in the viewer. I assume you hve cropped this image, so if you have a slight bit of image you can add to the left edge that might help as well.
Give yourself a prize for capturing this powerful scene. Well done. |
Aug 5th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 28
|
| 32 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Actually I don't feel the frame is necessary. I do however agree with the B&W conversion. These shots always bother me as the photographer's back becomes the dominant part of the image. You almost don't notice the woman. I wish someone knew how to pose her in a more flattering position. I also wish the Nikon strap was not up side down. This is a good example of street photography. |
Aug 6th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 32
|
| 42 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
This image has a terrific WOW factor that just cannot be ignored. The image produces a view that most people will never see and are thus attracted to. You have produced wonderful colors and sharpness and you have the croc placed on a diagonal (a powerful composition tool) that anchors on two of the traditional fixation points. In a very bright image you have used the display of white teeth to draw the eye and hold the viewer's attention.
It looks like there may have been some noise on the croc's belly but it is minor. You might consider doing a bit of noise reduction on that area.
I can see some judge complaining about the lack of an eye, if he/she doesn't know that crocs close their eye when biting but for me this is simply a stunning and well done image. |
Aug 6th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 42
|
| 48 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Upon first viewing I an struck by the fact the horizon is not level (slants to the right) and that it is overly blue. These flaws can easily be corrected with modern editing programs. I feel the image has a great deal of empty space. A crop making the boat more prominent would help. As the image is not sharp, maybe adding some clarity to the sand would hep give the feeling of sharpness. |
Aug 6th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 48
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| 53 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
For me there are two things that seem awkward. First is the very dark shadow of the bike. I feel you may have made it too black and thus dominant. I would also like to see just a bit of additional room at the top and the bottom as the image feel crowded.
You did a really good job on that extract. |
Aug 6th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 53
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| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Just doing my bit to encourage people to spend their hard earned money and support the economy! |
Aug 28th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Great to see we are making progress. I love it when folks grow as photographers! |
Aug 27th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
I'm sorry, I don't remember hearing anything about that. :-) |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Madhusudhan
This response is to your question but it is for everyone else as well. I'd would be happy and more than willing to answer any question you or anyone in the group wants to ask. I'm far from a guru but I'm willing to help in anyway I can. All you need to do is ask and I'll do my best. If I don't have an answer---I'll try to find one.
I'd honestly like to help everyone improve, that is the goal.
I'm also willing to listen to any critiques of my images---I am always learn too.
Keep those questions coming. |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Sometimes less is more. You don't have to get everything into the photo.
As a reference check out my additions to my image and see how little of the first image I used to come of with my submission for the month I just took a tiny part of the scene to get what I wanted. |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
If just starting landscapes or trying to get the hyperfocal stiff to work the simple fix is a tripod, a 24mm focal length, shoot at f22 and focus about 20 feet into the frame (pick something on the ground to focus on). Then compose the image.
There is nothing to it. :-) |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Here is the vertical full frame image of the misty area. The one I rejected and didn't submit. |
Aug 22nd |
 |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Madhusudhan
Glad you enjoyed the image and I hope you brought a rain jacket to keep dry from the mist. :-)
If you check the two images in this reply it might help. My original image is just what you first see as you arrive at the falls walking u the trail. Probably the shot most hikers will take. I wanted something different In the photo attached to this reply notice the red arrow that is the area that my submitted photo comes from. If you look carefully you can tell that section of the falls has mist. The second attached photo is the first shot I took of this misty area. It is a full frame vertical. Then I zeroed in and created the photo this is my submission for this month. Hope this makes sense. |
Aug 22nd |
 |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Great advice Madhusudhan. I knew, it anyone around here knew how to photograph an insect it would be you. Great advice as usual. |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you,I've been traveling. Yes, this is much more inline with my cropping thoughts. I think this is a lot more compelling. |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Sorry Madudsudhan I don't have a video. I just have it in my noted from a workshop (lecture) that he gave in Chicago several years ago. |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Funny. I actually thought of this having possibilities as an abstract when I first saw it. Looks like someone besides me as a mind that thinks outside the box. |
Aug 22nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
If I want critical focus I will measure one meter and put a twig there and focus on the twig and then remove the twig.
My greatest fear is going somewhere, finding this awesome scene and take a shot and then get home and find a once in a lifetime scene is out of focus. I know I sound crazy with what I go through, but I want to come home with the shot I want.
Now I better go before the guys with the white jacket come to get me.
Oh yes---I did see the fairies you said were hiding behind the mist. :-) |
Aug 15th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Here's a tip for managing DOF I picked up from Bryan Peterson at one of his workshops:
With a 24mm or wider lens, at f/22, if you focus 1 meter in front of the camera, everything from 18" to infinity will be in focus.
Will there be diffraction? Yes, and the degree of it is somewhat dependent on the lens, but it also is generally mitigated in processing.
This flies in the face of conventional wisdom, which is never to shoot at small apertures because of diffraction, but Bryan teaches this technique at all his workshops, and makes the case that lens manufacturers build small apertures into lenses for a reason. If it were so bad, they would save the time and expense of doing so.
|
Aug 15th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Getting proper depth of field has been a topic of discussion this month. So I thought I would pass along a tip I picked up from Bryan Peterson at his workshops:
With a 24mm or wider lens, at f/22, if you focus 1 meter in front of the camera, everything from 18" to infinity will be in focus.
Will there be diffraction? Yes, and the degree of it is somewhat dependent on the lens, but it also is generally mitigated in processing.
This flies in the face of conventional wisdom, which is never to shoot at small apertures because of diffraction, but Bryan teaches this technique at all his workshops, and makes the case that lens manufacturers build small apertures into lenses for a reason. If it were so bad, they would save the time and expense of doing so.
Hope it helps.
|
Aug 15th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
The only problem with stacking filters is you might get vignetting in the corners if you are using a wide angle. So you do have to watch carefully for shadows in the corners---especially the top corners.
If you turn your "blinkies" on and watch for them you will never get over exposures. If they are blinking enough to get large black blinkies in your photos when you check the LCD screen then I just adjust the camera and shoot again.
If I'm shooting a landscape I always take several shots at different apertures or shutter speeds to be sure the image is not over exposed. |
Aug 14th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Wayne
My laptop never goes into the field with me---I have way too much camera gear to take along and there is a point where my back begins to complain. I use the LCD screen to check my shots, often zooming in to check for sharpness.
I use two methods to check the LCD screen when I'm out in sunlight. If there is handy shady I can walk into then that becomes my first choice, but if the sunis bright then I have a hoodman loupe that makes viewing a breeze. I've included both a picture and a link so you can check it out. It works really well.
https://www.hoodmanusa.com/HoodLoupe-Outdoor-Loupe-for-3-2-LCD-H32MB-p/h32mb.htm
As for studying the scene---I can't just walk up grab a snapshot. I feel I need to really look over the scene if I'm to get the best shot. And if the light does not work, then I'll come back another time.
My all time record to get a shot I really wanted was a mere 8 years. But things finally worked out. |
Aug 14th |
 |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
I do sort of agree with Michael about the rocks in the foreground. The entire collection does make for some really interesting leading lines as they seem to point back to the falls. In my crop I rejected the use of all of the foreground rocks because to include them I had to include jumble of trees and brush on the far left. I felt this weakened the composition. But Madhu really did see something interesting in all those rocks. They are strong composition elements. |
Aug 9th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
I had some time to play around with your waterfall and made a few adjustments. They suit my personality and may not meet your style. I'm just offering some possibilities. If you want to know what adjustments I made, let me know. |
Aug 6th |
 |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
This is a beautiful location and you have captured a most striking image. As Richard noted you did well cropping off much of the white sky, but like he said, maybe a bit more would be better. His suggestion on the use of a GND may also have improved the sky situation.
If you shot this in RAW it appears you might be able to bring back some additional detail in the water of the falls by bringing down the highlights--I think I see some texture in the image.
You have taken a grand pano image capturing the entire area which works well with all the interesting rocks. For me that large black hole on the right in the trees is somewhat annoying I would use the adjustment brush in Lightroom to bring out some detail in that area so that it is not so eye catching. |
Aug 6th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Man am I jealous. You really had a bright day to be able to get setting like that. The bee is sharp (thanks to f20)as are the flowers closest to the bee. You were clearly able to get yourself and your rig close to avoid cropping. However I would suggest that you crop the disconnected plant parts at the bottom. as has been mentioned you might consider bringing down the highlights as this would make the bee pop a bit more.
You might chat with Madhu about a macro lens if you are interested in one. He is the real macro pro around here. I'm sure he would be able to help you. I have a 105mm f2.8 macro which gives me a little room to work that I like a great deal.
This composition puts greater emphasis on the flower rather than the bee. While this is an exciting image, in the future you might consider waiting for the bee to move more forward so there is more bee and less flower visible. |
Aug 6th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Thanks Richard. The hope is to create an image the viewer will just want to be part of. If I can make the mood inviting then I win the battle. I really thought the cool mist created that feeling. You are right in that the Lightroom brushes are lots of fun to play with. I know the cameras have great dynamic range but they still cannot match what my eye can see. Thus i use the brushes to adjust those areas that the camera cannot handle. On this image it meant opening some shadows, taking out the severe highlights and things like that. I usually work an image through post, then leave it to rest for several days and they go back and look with fresh eyes to see what I missed. I save lots of Virtual Copies along the way so if I want a change,I do not have to go back the ground zero. Sometimes I still feel like I'm learning Lightroom. |
Aug 6th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Reply |
Michael
Photography is my way of getting high. I truly love being out with my camera. But that lead me to dream of getting not good but great images. When I go to a location I do spend some time studying it to learn what is available. But when I get there I react to what is there. I evaluate both the scene and the light. If the light is not right, I make a note and then come back when it is. I may take a book and just sit until I get the light I want. Take this months falls, I didn't know what I was going to find when I arrived, just a falls. But when I arrived I searched for the image I wanted and would be happy with.
As for the glass, well, I only have a few lenses. But when I buy I buy what will make my photography better. I really only shoot 4 lenses (one is a true macro---Nikon 105mm 2.8). I'll make those basic three work. When I get a filter, I get good ones. All of mine are either B&W (a German company) or Breakthrough Technology. I have a total of 4 filters: a polarizer, a 6 stop ND and a 10 stop ND and finally my 3 stop GND.
I always practice good camera technique. I carry my tripod, but it doubles as my walking stick.
Mostly, I just have fun! |
Aug 6th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Cheryl, nothing beats a sunrise in the mountains, especially when you throw in a bit of fog. The light on the trees and in the sky is quite pleasing and certainly sets a strong scene. You have framed the composition nicely with the foreground and the image has a pleasing flow from left to right and provides numerous stopping points to view the complexity of the scene. You did a good job of processing the image and bringing out the colors.
The rules of composition say you want the foreground to reach the left corner and not end just short as you cropped the image. I also feel you not have reduced the large pine on the right quite as much as you did. As you cropped it the tree appears to be an after thought where it could be a solid anchor for the image. You have enough tree in the original to add a bit more to the final image.
Now here is where this gets complicated. You used a 24mm lens at an aperture of f9. If you look carefully your closest foreground is a bit soft and the distant treeline is also soft. The focal point you used puts the mid pond at optimum sharpness. You then get the DOF extension of 82 feet behind the focus point to be the far range of what is in focus. To get this entire scene in focus you would need to be shooting at about f18. That would move your near DOF down to 8-10 feet and the far point at infinity. To do this a tripod would be necessary with the amount of light available at dawn. The easiest fix for this without a tripod would be for you to back up so that your nearest foreground object is about 25-30 feet away. Then your hyperfocal length would be 27 to infinity at f9. This is all very mathematical.
I have shortcuts to make this work that I can explain.
In the end this is a very attractive image that fully captures a mountain sunrise with fog. It is certainly worth framing. I wish I could have been there. Looks like a beautiful morning. |
Aug 5th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
Have you considered submitting this to "Birds and Blooms"?
Seriously, this is a wonderful image. I guess partial thanks should go to your neighbor for leaving you that perfect background. The multi colors of the background nicely compliment the multiple colors of the bird making for a quite pleasing composition. You have also placed the bird properly in the image on one of the fixation points. Technically the gear and settings worked well. You end up with a tack sharp image and your noise reduction technique mostly cleaned up the background. Personally, I prefer the wings to be sharp but many excellent images present the wings as you did to show the speed of the wing beat---it is a personal preference. The fact that you have such a sharp eye and a wonderful head angle pretty much balance off the wing issue. In the end, I feel you have an image with a true wow factor. Best of all, you took it while seated in a chair with a cold drink. Beats what I do to get a shot.
The only issue is the extreme crop, but you handled it quite well. |
Aug 5th |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
As Wayne has noted he and I have have communicated numerous times regarding this image and we both had done several edits. This edition is by far the best Wayne has done. Now the image has taken on some real character. I feel Wayne has made some real progress with his editing. Everyone should compare the final result shown here with the original (also posted) to see the progress he has made. This current edition is certainly well done.
Personally, I think there is still too much of the green pool in the foreground. This area is the lightest part of the image and thus draws the eye. It is also the part that has the lest about of detail. My suggestion would be to crop a large portion of this to force the eye to move deeper into the image. I also changed the perspective of the image to somewhat create a lower angle of view. (see the attached image) This did two things. It brought greater attention to the unique mineral and rock formations and thus creates greater interest. Note how it also draws more interest to the dead tree on the right. With less foreground showing the very powerful leading line coming in from the left is even more powerful than before.
As you have noted the image has some blown highlights which weaken the image, but we have discussed how to deal with those in the future. Also as you noted there is a sharpness issue. First I always suggest a tripod for landscapes. Second, while I prefer low ISO settings (good selection of ISO 100) But the DOF at f9 is simply not as great as at f18 or higher. It has to do with the optics of the lens itself. There is also the 1/200 second. Generally this is OK for a wide angle lens but your lens is actually a zoom and is thus longer physically than a true wide angle lens. This would suggest a faster shutter speed for the lens to be held truly steady. But to change these two settings, Fstop and shutter, you would have to raise the ISO. Thus we are back to the need for a tripod.
Perhaps this month we should talk about hyperfocal distance. From the look of your original image I believe you slightly angled the camera downward to limit the about of sky to create a stronger composition. That was good. However, when you focused the camera on the scene, this brought your focus point more toward the bottom of the image. Thus with the F9 setting your hyperfocal length did not actually reach infinity and this is why the background is soft.
You still have an excellent image--one of your best to date. You have done an outstanding job of processing it. Additionally your composition is quite strong with good leading lines. I like this image very much. |
Aug 2nd |
 |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
This is a very solid composition featuring strong leading lines that sweep the eye across the image finally anchoring it on the bright talus on the far right. While it would appear that there is too much foreground the visibility of the stones seen through the water on the right add interest. The extremely still waters and the resulting sharp reflection give this image some visual punch. Visually the triangle and its natural diagonal lines are strong composition elements and this image is full of these shapes and lines. Particularly interesting is the almost pine tree like shape on the far right created by the diagonal lines formed by both the refection and the sloping talus. (the tree like shape is horizontal) The two strongest and most pleasing colors for entries in photo contests are blue and yellow and this image makes excellent use of both. Your processing of this image is well done. It would have been easy to over process this image. Your rendering allows the lines to become the story as the colors are shown as being quite natural.
I personally think a pano of this site would result in a weaker image because you would diminish the strength of the lines and the impact of the yellow/gold talus on the right.
Did you use a polarizer? I wonder how this would look shot from a lower angle as it would increase the drama created by the stones in the water and strengthen the foreground. Just a thought to try as you work a scene for the best angle. In the end this may still be the best angle.
In the end you have a fine image worthy of framing. |
Aug 2nd |
| 67 |
Aug 19 |
Comment |
DATELINE: MIAMI 08/02/2019
Meteorologists are currently investigating the cause of unusually strong winds that have been occurring across Florida since Wednesday. Strangely these winds seem to be blowing the socks off of residents in the southern part of the state. Latest investigations into this unusual weather phenomenon have linked to images of mountain reflections. Scientists are baffled. |
Aug 2nd |
 |
12 comments - 16 replies for Group 67
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21 comments - 17 replies Total
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