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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 32 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
My only question when looking at the image is just what is the subject? To me the branch is the first thing I see when looking at the image. I do get around to looking at the mountain, but then the branch just gets in the way. I'll agree that the black and white version does hide the bather (and I did notice her).
The easiest way to obtain a strong image is the ask yourself what is my subject? The make the subject the single most dominate thing in the image. Everything else needs to be secondary. |
Aug 14th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 32
|
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Relax. Your 5 miles should be good if the trail is only a couple of miles or less. There will be plenty of time at the destination to recover before returning. |
Aug 14th |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Thanks so much for dropping by. Since this falls is very deep in the forest and hardly ever gets and direct light (maybe at high noon--but there is a thick tree canopy over it) shooting with a fast enough shutter speed to freeze water drops would require astronomical ISO settings. I do shoot waterfalls with fast shutters if I want to show the power of the falls. However in this case I wanted a more mystical mood and that coupled with a limited amount of water forced my hand to go to the slow shutter.
As for bears and coyotes--this is deep in an area with only a one way dirt access road. Parts of the hiking trail to the falls has an abundance of blackberry patches. Thus the trail is on the critters Diner's Club list. They never bother me---coyotes take off as soon as they hear me (I do sing on the trail---but I really can't carry a tune) and as long as I don't ask for a log to sit at or order any berries the bears just ignore me. You are welcome to tag along. |
Aug 14th |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for your input. As noted the branch was not cloned out due to the rules of entry in nature categories.
Due to the splash pool being in a hole (and not very big hole) a large trees on my left shoulder when i took the image there were few available angles. Absolutely could not move to the right and a axe would be needed to move to the left of the original shot. I probably should have moved the branch everyone has commented about, but just didn't think of it. My error. |
Aug 8th |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Thanks Barbara
The only reason I took the side view was because of the light on the right. Like you I feel this is too crowded and prefer the first view. The run off here is weird as it flowed over my feet where I was standing to take the side view.
If you want to take this hike ask me for parking information There is a trick that will save you a very long (several miles) drive on your way out.
As noted, I didn't crop the small branches becasue doing so prohibits entry in nature categories.
Thanks for commenting |
Aug 8th |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for commenting.
getting to this location takes a bit of slip-sliding down a very muddy washout. The actual trip crosses above the falls.
I've attached the raw file to Arne's comment. There you can see part of the higher drop of the falls to shelf from where it spills to the jumbled rocks at the bottom. I really didn't like the perhaps 12 foot part of the upper falls that is why I cropped it off. The area behind the shelf is a virtual blackhole that I didn't like either.
I didn't remove the offending branch because then the image may not be entered in nature categories. |
Aug 8th |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Here is the finished file with the offending branch removed. I did not remove it previously because doing so prohibits entering the image in nature categories.
Thanks for looking again. |
Aug 8th |
 |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
As requested here is the original RAW file.
As a RAW file it is rather flat. Much of the dream like look is due to the lighting when this was taken. There was absolutely no direct light. The entire area was bathed in shade and the lighting was completely diffused the cloud cover and in the very last light of day. Itg was dark about 10 minutes after this was taken. The entire area is surrounded by mossy rock walls.
Other than cropping everything was dodging and burning with the Lightroom adjustment brush. Some parts were given a slight touch of yellow to provide some warming. The moss area at the bottom was sharpened.
Adjustments were done in increments with each adjustment added with a new brush so I could delete any adjustment that I didn't like. There are dozens of "new" brushed being used. A
Attached below is the RAW file. |
Aug 8th |
 |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
I am probably wrong about this, and it won't be the first time,or the last, so if I missed the intent of the image just disregard this altogether.
I confess that I really have a fondness for scene like this with the row houses along a quay. Thus when I first saw this I was naturally drawn to the buildings. If I make the bu8ldings the subject then the prow of the boat on the far right becomes a major distraction due to the fact that it is white and so very bright. For this reason I submit my crop version that is attached because to me it removes the distraction. On the other hand I may be completely wrong because as I look at the image the building are not sharp. I know you to be an excellent photographer so this leaves me wondering,what am I missing? |
Aug 5th |
 |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
Oh I am with you on this one. Living in south Florida on the Atlantic coast I love walking the beaches in the early light. While we don't have a lot of rock, we do have tide pools and they can be lovely. I think you did a grand job with this very minimalist composition. The simple soft color pallet using the cool blue tones convey a feeling of mystery. The curving line (adding calm and serenity) of the tide pool leads the eye back toward the horizon. I like the rippled texture of sand in the lower foreground as it adds some interest. This is nicely seen and captured. |
Aug 4th |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
This is a really interesting image with the shadows and highlights playing across the landscape on the left side. While the sage on the right is interesting without light I feel it gets lost. All the drama is on the left.
Since I really like the light I played a little with the highlights and shadows I decreased the overall exposure and lowered the blackpoint. I used an adjustment brush to highlight parts of the sage so that it looks like a bit of light from the sun is glancing across the sage. That process added a bit of life to the right side. Then I cropped a bit from the bottom to eliminate some of the uninteresting jumble on the right and force more attention to the neat shadows on the left. It is just an idea, perhaps something to think about. |
Aug 4th |
 |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
Clearly the star of the show is ferriswheel on the left and I think you did a fine job of pulling it out of the dark of the original image. The wheel is well positioned and certainly hold the attention of the viewer (those reds and oranges really help) For me there are two possibilities for changes. I would change the crop like the attached image. The dark buildings on the far right I don't feel add anything so they could re cropped. I would also eliminate some of the sea at the bottom as shown. Finally, I would suggest opening the shadow under the pier as they just create a dark hole. |
Aug 4th |
 |
| 36 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
Although this was taken with an 85mm lens it carries the feel of a wide angle panorama. The scene is pleasing and creates an aura of a beautiful summer day. I really like the play of the of the cloud shadows across the landscape. For me the first thing I notice is the clouds. They are the lightest and brightest part of the image and that is where I'm centered. I think part of the draw to the sky is that the landscape has nothing the commands my attention. As I look at the image I just want to walk into the forever. The sloping of the hills on the sides act as rising leading lines that point me toward the the distant hill and the clouds. |
Aug 4th |
5 comments - 7 replies for Group 36
|
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Thanks Cindy
I'm really pleased that you noted the separation from the background. It was something that I worked on both in composition and in post work. These little guys live in a very cluttered world since they are so small and close to the ground. It took some doing to slide around on the ground to find the right angle and background before the action got going. It is good to know I got it right. |
Aug 25th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Thanks. There will be more of Boris. I'm glad that the side view is being well received. I like the strut action. |
Aug 14th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Actually the ball head is attached to a real frisbee. I tried several other options but found the frisbee slides well on a variety of surfaces so I keep using it. I've used it for years. Now they make fancy things to replace it, but I'm cheap. Thanks for asking. |
Aug 14th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Just trying to keep you on your toes. I thought a shot of this noble bird was in order. I have shots of Boris facing me with toad in beak and while I like the eye connection the toad gets hidden in the breast feathers.
Thanks for commenting. |
Aug 14th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
I thought the sandy toad was a bit strange but then many birds swallow small pebbles to aid in breaking down food.They don't have teeth and the grinding action helps to break down material in their stomach. The action of the foot in the sand was the reason I opted for this shot having the shadow---to help the sand stand out.
I'll consider making the background darker even though I did darken it a fair amount. Didn't know if I went far enough. |
Aug 14th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
Well Richard, when the buntings aren't with you we get them down here for a few weeks as they raid the feeders in my yard right by my blind. The image certainly does do them justice and you have gotten the multiple colors quite well. I fully agree that capturing them on the branch is much better than than on a feeder. Also the slight upward angle of the branch makes for a good rising leading line. While I like the image it feel a bit flat and muddy. The bird is so stunning you might try playing with the hue and luminance of the background making the background a bit lighter. That would add depth to the image. |
Aug 12th |
 |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
Well, if I can't have an eagle (as promised) I'll be more than happy to settle for an osprey. Since you located a nest it becomes so much easier to get some action shots. This is a nice scene with the full wing spread showing lots of detail. You might consider opening the shadows under the left wing and also trying to add a bit more color to the eye. You mention having done some eye adjustment, but perhaps a bit more could be done. |
Aug 12th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
Right place at the right time. You managed to get a special treat getting the goat family to show themselves at such close range. You have enough of the environment to give them a place to live. I would consider this to be a solid keeper.
What I would suggest is playing with the white balance so as to get some of the blue tint out of the kids coats. Should be easy enough to do in Photoshop. You might also reduce the Luminance of the bright plants in the left corner---then they will not compete with the goats for attention. |
Aug 12th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Reply |
If you are going to shoot the Milky Way the the foreground needs to play a secondary role. The MW has to be the star and this means getting the core. Without the core you just have a bunch of stars. You said you used Photopills. With that app you could have check exactly when the MW would be in position, of it if would never get to where you wanted it.
I always get to the location early and line everything up with Photopills then I can either go home early it will not work, and know how long I have to hang out to get the shot I want.
May I suggest that you go to group 36 and check out my image for the month of June (use the select another round feature to find the image.) I posted a rather elaborate image of the MW that month with complete details as to how I did it. If you have questions, please ask. |
Aug 9th |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
You have a very simple image with an interesting storyline.
I feel that an image should focus on a single concept---in this case, either the tracks or the ice. I do think the ice in the lower left corner is interesting. I'm suggesting a large crop because if the story line is the tracks---then they need to be brought to the forefront. |
Aug 4th |
 |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
You bring up a great many points to discuss concerning this image. First I agree that getting the MW to line of vertical in the tree gap would be nice. You can find out exactly when this will happen, if indeed it does, by using a program such as PhgotoPills. I use it all the time and it really saves the day (or night as it may be). It would appear that you had a bit of cloud cover which certainly lessens the impact of the MW and that is unfortunate. Your stars turned out quite nice so I envy you your lack of humidity. Here in Florida the humidity really plays havoc as it makes the air less clear and the sky and the stars suffer for it. Your stars look nice even with a 35mm focal length while shooting at 13 seconds.
The issue you mention with the trees moving is one of the problems associated with shooting the MW here in the east with lots of vegetation in the scene. MW shots taken the the west use more stone and fewer trees so the can avoid the movement. One technique I've used is to arrive at my scene early, use photopills to create my composition and then take an image of what will become the foreground at a faster shutter speed and lower ISO while I still had twilight. Then you just blend in the MW.
For me, I would suggest that you avoid compositions that include objects like that white tree branch on the right. It is the brightest thing in the iamge and really draws the eye.
|
Aug 2nd |
| 67 |
Aug 21 |
Comment |
Glad to see you have made the move to the big time!! I've been using a kayak for years to scout the everglades and to bettet shooting locations. Best thing I ever did. May I strongly suggest looking for a tripod mount to place on your kayak. I have a friend make me one years ago and it is a great advantage. Camera is always ready, I keep a cable release attached for quick grab shots. Now they make professional mounts so you might find one easier than I did but I couldn't dre3am of going out without it.
Otters are a great deal of fun to photograph if you can find the durn things!! This must have been a special treat. Did you use auto-ISO??? I generally shoot manual, but with auto-iso---seems to work well when drifting in and out of light.
I appreciate all the work you put in to produce the image. You mention using AI technology. Do you have AI gigabite to increase file size or have you experiments using the enlarge file size in both Lightroom and PS? That might have helped since you had to make such a deep crop.
Under the circumstances you did quite a nice job getting as much out of the image as you did. Other than using a file size increasing program the only other suggestion I would offer would to be spot clean all those water drops or what ever they are that are floating in the air above the otters. |
Aug 2nd |
5 comments - 7 replies for Group 67
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11 comments - 14 replies Total
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