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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
This is a well seen image. Something different and I like the originality. I feel the scene shown through the window is not particularly compelling in its won right, but with the added window it becomes quite dramatic. To me the image feel a bit flat--- Michael's ideas may bring this to life in a more dramatic manner. I don't mind the shadows on the rocks---they should be there. I do think with your editing skills you could add some drama to the scene in the window.My suggestion would be to process the scene in the window as it the frame was not there. That would add to the overall image. |
Nov 19th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
This is something I've worked on a great deal. I used to capture the grand scene--trying to get everything into the frame. I've learned that the devil is in the details and to look for little bits of interest rather than just the big scene. It takes practice to find these details but you can find some interesting images.
I did take a single shot of just the root. But I didn't think the image of just the root told the full story and for religious purposes I wanted to include the shepherds in the story. Still your idea works also. Thanks for commenting. |
Nov 19th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for commenting LuAnn. I leveled this image based on the waterline. With the hurricanes that hit Florida many of our trees do not grow straight up. I do like your version---I think you may have gotten the shading right. I sure didn't.
Thanks.
|
Nov 19th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
I'm so impressed how he can make something out of the nothing that is the Florida Everglades. He is an inspiration. I've learned a great deal from him |
Nov 19th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
:-) LOL |
Nov 8th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
This is a very charming waterfall and your composition certainly makes the falls the center of the image. I like how your shutter speed has retained detail in the flow of the falls. For me, the troublesome aspect is the blue tones of the water. I feel that working with the white balance you could return the water to its natural color of white. Getting blue tones like this generally comes from being in shade. I would also prefer a scene that shows just a bit more of the environment. Maybe backing up a step or two and gaining just a bit more of the run off (which would add a leading line) may change the feel of the image. |
Nov 7th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for the ideas Arne. The only way to get the camera lower would have been to submerge the ball head on the tripod. That is going too far even for me. While the water is quite still and flat, even a bird landing a short distance away will add ripples and i want a dry camera. I keep the camera in a lenscoat raincoat for shots like this---but that will not save it from a wave when it is that close to the surface.
I try making the trees even darker.
Perhaps if I had used a 14mm lens it would make Madonna larger as I could have gotten closer.
I'm learning to look for abstract images like this and it does open new worlds |
Nov 7th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Thanks Richard
I spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how I want the image to look when it is finished. Then I try to shoot so as to get the results I'm looking for. Focus stacking has added a whole new meaning to the term DOF as I can gain so much more control. Just more to think about
I don't always end up wading in the everglades. I have taken folks on guided trips and everyone has returned and they come back dry. I never try to get them into the water. |
Nov 7th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for your thoughts. I made the trees darker in my reply to Michael. Do you think they still need to be even darker? I just don't know how far to go with out having them blend into the background. They are part of the story I'm trying to tell and I don't want to lose them. So how far is too far? I just don't know.
Just for the record---I don't just jump into the dark waters. :-) |
Nov 7th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Thanks Bill
I did not see Ganbdalf until you mentioned him. But yes, it could be him. I darkened the trees in my reply to Michael. ado you think they should be even more darkened? |
Nov 7th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Barbara
Just for situations such as this I purchased a "raincoat" from a company called Lenscoat. It allows for the camera to be completely covered and still mounts on a tripod. I used a lens hood for the lens and add a UV filter, or polarizer on the lens to protect the front element. The raincoat fits in my camera bag and is always available. Just a thought. |
Nov 7th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
OK Everyone the attached photo is the 80 year old wonder and father of the everglades Clyde Butcher. Clyde has spent his life photographig the everglades I have been onat least 5 swamp walks with Clyde where he takes photographers out to walk the swaps. He teaches his students how to walk the swamps. Nothing is without risk but Clyde has done this hundreds of times. There that signs to look for weather to avoid, times of year to avoid but if you are careful there are great photos to capture. |
Nov 6th |
 |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
Hi Barbara
Please note the following are just my opinions, if you feel differently, thatis perfectly all right.
Composition should be chosen to make the image feel as powerful as possible. Never EVER feel confined to following the so called rules. In this case the pier BELONGS in the middle. You put it in the perfect location.
I feel you have enough action in the water (lines and swirls) to make it exciting. However, the image does seem a bit "grey" and flat. working with the black and white points will help to resolve that issue.
It should be noted that this is a pretty good image as it is. However let me mention that many piers are photographed in the manner you have chosen. The way to get stronger images for competition is to be original. May I suggest that shooting from a lower angle may add some impact Remember that all 90 percent of all images are taken by a person standing up with the camera at eye level. Lowering the camera angle would make this feel more original and may add impact. |
Nov 4th |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for your thoughts. First---it is NOT gator mating season so they are quite calm. Your image comments are quite welcome. I made some adjustments taking into consideration your thoughts. You may be right about Madonna's position as well. I may be a bit harsh in my assessment of the image but I see the separation you mention. Thanks. |
Nov 2nd |
 |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
For sure the ice makes this image work. Macros are great lenses to work with but by their very nature of focusing on detail the image needs to be razor sharp. Here a higher fstop would have really made this image soar. Remember this is a short telephoto lens and at 5.6 the depth of field is quite narrow. |
Nov 2nd |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
You have produced a most calming and serene scene. The swan is certainly a focal point and adds a great deal to the scene. I would suggest trying a bit of a lower angle as it would lift the swan in the scene and add a bit more drama.
To me this is one of those scenes that could do with a bit more dodging to bring so me life to the building and open the very dark shadows found on the right side. It would take a careful hand but if you look closely there are highlights striking the structures caused the the angle of the sun Adding a bit of warmth (yellow) and making these a bit brights would bring this fine image to another level. The camera captured all this and just averaged the scene---you could bring it to life. |
Nov 2nd |
| 36 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
This is a lovely winter scene.The curved creek/river make for a strong leading line to draw the viewer into the scene. The foliage is sharp where necessary and the draping snow clearly shows the season. Reminds me of my trip to Maine and stopping at a similar scene (did not have my boots on).
For me the only negative is the lack of a full tonal range which leaves the images feeling a bit grey and thus flat. Maybe you could get a stronger image by playing with the black and white points. |
Nov 2nd |
7 comments - 10 replies for Group 36
|
| 58 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Back in the 60s, 70s boxing was so big and the Cubans held a special place. This series captures the aura of the time. |
Nov 1st |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 58
|
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Jason
What you mention is an on going issue with Nature quality wildlife images. We have become so attuned to seeing wildlife images with what are generally said to be "perfect" background with no clutter and beautifully blurred. While these images generally win photo contests may are not really representative as to what nature really is.
When I took this image I knew it would never be accepted for Nature competitions. Barred owls live is dense and very busy environments. This was taken at f7.1 but even if I had shot it at f4, the widest my lens 400mm lens can shoot, I would never achieve that beautiful bokeh. The owl was literally surrounded with leaves twigs and moss. I am perfectly OK with that. That is what nature is. I strive for the "picture perfect" image. But if I had waited for the owl to break free of the cypress tree, the moss would have fallen away as it was mostly attached to the tree and the story would have been over. Generally I like this type of image better than the perfect image that wins contests. To me this is real and doesn't look staged.
When I judge contests I move this type of image to the award round becasue I know what it took to capture images like. A this. And when I get nominate an image for a Judge's Choice award, I'll pick this type of image---why? Because the rules say the story is supposed to count the most. Most judges will not award this type of image.
Just my 2 cents. My employer bought a 16x20 for his office wall. |
Nov 25th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Thanks Bud. Owls are hard to find and when I do I'll wait forever if I have to. At least I have time to get my camera setting right. :-)
I might share a couple more of the owl shots. |
Nov 6th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
David Yarrow has some interesting ideas. I have found that I can incorporate some of them to my style. I have used remotes to capture some shots. But this type of shooting takes real patience.
By now you know I really love owls. Flight shots take lots of patience. This is one of the reason I lug a monopod or a tripod with me. This guys, unless spooked may sit for an hour or more and I can't hold my camera all that time and thus the need for support. I usually take a quick perch shot and set of and wait for the flight. Knowing wind direction helps and knowing that before an owl takes flight they lower their body position so they can spring into the air. I always move my focus point on the side never the middle, so I have room for them to launch into. I zoom back a bit because they have huge wings and I don't want to clip them. In my old age I don't care about how many shots I get---I just want one good one. |
Nov 6th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
If your goal was to just capture fall colors this works nicely. I would likely make a nice calendar image for fall. Your processing of the colors worked as well.
I do wonder why the trees look a bit soft. Since you were shooting a subject (the trees) at the infinity setting on the lens, you could have decreased the aperture and increased the shutter speed. A faster shutter would have offset either wind or camera shake. I put the image into Topaz Sharpen and it said there was motion blur. |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
I hope you got the flight shot as well. After all you have the right shutter speed for that.
You did manage a nice portrait of the hawk. Getting a raptor to sit still within camera range is always a good thing.
If you use the new color range mask in Lightroom you could quite easily darken that background and make that hawk really pop. Give it a try---it is an easy process. |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Leave the camera set up on a tripod and the window open. Then you can sit in your chair and get the shot without having to move at all. Remember, as you get older you are supposed to be smarter!!! :-) |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
I don't quite have the new tools in Lightroom down to a fine science as yet. But here is an example of the power of these tools. You said you wanted to show some fall colors. so. . .
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Nov 5th |
 |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
I have always felt that this particular style of waterfall is the hardest to capture well. For some reason short stubby wide falls always look odd.k Maybe it is just that we expect waterfalls to be tall. You did a nice job with this one, but you might want to consider cropping some of the water from the bottom of the scene.
I'm going to agree with Cindy when she says that you have some over exposed areas in the water that maybe could be saved in post.
If you experiment with the new masking techniques in LR I think you could bring out more of the fall colors. That new tool is really powerful.
I would also suggest that you use a polarizer filter. |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
You have created a quite powerful image of fungi. The soft light is really flattering. I also applaud the crop you chose as it compliments the subject and keeps attention centered where it should be.
There are several pieces of spider webs that really do not add anything of value to the image and you could easily spot them out. Don't forget to remove the horizontal piece in the center.
This is an excellent candidate for a focus stack. The amount of out of focus material in the foreground detracts from the fine art quality of the image. This subject will not move so the focus stack would be easy. Just be certain that after you take the focus stack series you take an extra final image with the background OUT OF FOCUS. You must take this separately because your camera will try to get the backgound in focus and so you will need to delete that image from your stack and and the out of focus background image it its place.
If you have Topaz Sharpen you might try running the image through that as well. |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
The most impressive part of this image is the sharpness of the insect. Your processing procedure on the insect paid big dividends.
I do not feel that the composition works really well because the stem is so long and bright that it draws the eye away from the true subject---the flower and insect. I in opi9nion this would be much stronger as a square. |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
A beautiful falls with a nicely handled exposure. I especially like the way you let detail show in the water with the careful selection of shutter speed. While I like the overall feel of the image I think that the falls may be a bit cramped in the frame. Personally I would like to see a bit more space at both the top and especially the bottom. I think increasing the size of the splash pool would make the scene more inviting.
One thing I am noticing recently in competition quality photos of waterfalls is the final image is a combination of two. Waterfalls make their own wind due to the falling water. Photographers as using slower shutter speed to capture the water and then are taking a second image of the trees at a faster shutter speed. The two images are then being blended to create the final. Perhaps you may want to experiment with this in the future. |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Reply |
Didn't bore me at all. Looks like you did a fine job of understanding the message that David is trying to convey. |
Nov 5th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
Hi Cindy
Don't know what happened here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKPEy7U2sGE |
Nov 4th |
| 67 |
Nov 21 |
Comment |
Thank you Cindy. As a Nature photographer PSA says the image must tell a story to be acceptable. Thus when I venture out to photograph wildlife I'm not just looking for a bird on a stick, or a simple flight image. I'm looking for something to happen. I thought this image showed the struggle for survival. I've never seen anything quite like this. You are right about the space on the right. I provided a place for the bird to get away into. Finding these kinds of images is hard, and I come home frequently without anything worth while. But that is part of the challenge.
If you want to see and hear how a internationally famous photographer manages this watch the video at the link below. You may not hae the budget to shoot exactly as he does---but he does offer some really great ideas that will help your photography. |
Nov 4th |
8 comments - 6 replies for Group 67
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16 comments - 16 replies Total
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