|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
I guess this is a Strangler Vine? I think they are very interesting, but have never been fortunate enough to create an image that effectively communicates what it is about them that invites a closer look. I think you have found something unique here. For me, the complete circle gives the image an organic feel. The diagonal crossing it makes me think of the universal sign for "No" or Not" which would to me apply to stepp into some of these jungle-like clumps of foliage. I am thinking that brightening the circle and the diagonal to make it pop out of the busy background might help keep the viewer's attention. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
I have learned a new tip from you this month, so thanks for that. I like the greens which feel spring-like to me, but would suggest some dodge and burn work to give them more depth. If you are not opposed to adding color with digital filters, I think a variable blue on the sky with some masking of the uppoer parts of the trees to retain the greens might make this pop. I also agree with Terry about the crop.
You should enter your book in PSA Photo Book Contest this year. I thik it could be a winner! |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
This looks like a great place to work on IR - one that would have a different look with each changing season. You are fortunate to have it nearby. The sky is really interesting for me as it has several different types of clouds which gives me the feeling that the weather is about to change. I find the out of focus foliage in the foreground a problem, so if you have enough pixels I woudl suggest a crop. The noise livel is pretty high in my opion, but I have had excellent results with Topaz AI DeNoise and I bet it would clean that right up for you.
I had the second vaccine over a month ago and I feel like a cage door has been opened. Hope you are in the clear soon. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
For me this image is very well-composed. I like the way you incorporated the vanishing viewpoint with the strong, slightly diagonas that pull my eye upward toward the light. I think you have definitely created a feeling of the maesty of these old growth forests. I like the low key treatment and it looks like you have captured good tonal range. I also like the original and wonder if you have processed it for faux color also. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
I think your post processing choices are spot on. I feel it is a scene from a time long ago, and the border gives the impressin of a very old photograph. I am torn about the effect of the little bit of the structure in view with the rest of the building hidden behind the trees. On the one hand, I see Helen's point about wanting to get closer in and see more; on the other hand, the trees are, for me, a huge visual barrier. This makes my attention stay in the immediate foreground where not much is going on. If this structure can be approached I would be tempeted to make this image one of a series showing different perspectives. I wish I could be more helpful, but I do think you have done as well with it as possible from the viewpoint you had. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
I would really encourage you to give IR a try also. It is a great way to present your personal artistic vision - not of what the scene or subject really is, but as how you might imagine it. There are a lot of different choices of filters available, so lots of room to try different effects. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
I think you made an excellent decison with regard to changing the sky. It adds interest for me, with the clouds alomst pointing me toward the structure. It also appears tome that you have captured a good range of tones. Personally, I feel there is too much foreground. I agree with the cropping suggestions the others have made. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
Thanks, Helen. I was wondering if this image was worth puttingg more effort into, but your comments and those of others have encouraged me to have another go at it. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
That is a good suggestion, Julie, and it would defininetly be easier than cloning that building out - which I tried but found difficult. Thanks for an alternative idea. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
Thanks, Jamie. I tried to remove that modern building but it was really a challenge because of the trees. However, everyone seems to agree, so guess I will have another go at it. |
Mar 18th |
| 35 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
Beverly, thanks so much for taking the time to comment on this image. I believe I understand what effect you are going for; however, your interpretation does not reflect my personal vision for this scene or help to tell the story I have in mind regarding it. I meant for the dark glow to reflect a very somber and perhaps mysterious mood. |
Mar 15th |
8 comments - 3 replies for Group 35
|
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
As much as I love moody image like this, I have to point out that the center of interest is a man made structure so it really does not belong in this study group. Having said that, I really like long exposure images and the water looks smooth as satin in this one. I think it might work well in monochrome, although the contrast might need to be boosted to get the entire tonal range. |
Mar 16th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
The first thing that grabs my attention is the combination of what I think of as "jewel" colors. Then I think that perhaps the purple complicates the image, and that it would work better for me if the entire background was green. Since it was potted, prehaps moving it a bit would have allowed a simpler background. I am very impressed with the detail of the bud and all the tiny "hairs." In my opinon the out of focus leaf in the btoom left detracts from my overall enjoyment of the image. I would consider removing it by cropping or cloning. One last thing...I have learned - as Pam has noted - how easy it is to blow out the red channel if we don't keep an eye on the color histogram. |
Mar 16th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
For me, the focus of this image falls off exactly right - just beyond the subject. I think that removing the two thin branches in the background would keep the viewer's eye more focused on the subject. I f the original allows it, I would add ma little more space in front of the squirrel - to me it feels a lttle too cramped on that side. |
Mar 16th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
This image has a very "organic" feel for me. I like the soft diagonal of the main branch and the roundness of the apple. Also, I think the color is beautiful. In my opinon, a crop from the bottom to just above the horizontal branch would bring more attention to the apple. Also, I do believe there is a halo at the top of the apple which could be eaily removed. This is a subject many of us would have passed over without noticing it, so I admire your ability to look at things closely enough to find this gem of beauty. |
Mar 16th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
I am a bit late in commenting this month since I finally got to visit with my grandchildren for few days. I see that the others have presented several different ideas about how to enhance this image. The moment in time you have captured evokes a maternal, nurturing feeling for me. Viewing the three re-edits, I believe I prefer the color and lighting as Mike shows it. It seems more ntural to me. However, I think the portrait orientation works well. This image is a gem in my opnon and if it were mine I would definitely try to combine some of these ideas which I would be will result in a winning image. |
Mar 16th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Comment |
I recently saw one for the first time also, and was amazed at how well they blend into the tall grass - very hard to detect unless there is movement. For me, stalking pose he is in adds to the natoure story. I think opening up the aperture more, if your lens allows it, would have helped with the background without completely blurring it, which as has been noted would remove the context. In my opinon the best way to separate the bird from the background would be to slelectively darken the grasses. Congrats for captuing this under difficult shooting circumstances. |
Mar 16th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for your input, Pam. I would really like to go with the panoramic crop aond I see you have cropped the bottom even more than I did - which I think works. It also takes care of my problem with the white spots in the reflection. |
Mar 14th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for the suggestions LC. I like what you have done with the color, and I see your point about the nature story. For me, the foreground is too messy and detracts from my enjoyment of the scene. Then too, I am somewhat partial to panoramic crops for scenes like this one. However, I will think about the way you have presented it and continue to work on improving thsi image. |
Mar 14th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
Thanks for your comments, Lisa. I am always tempted to remove the two white spots in the water. What stops me is the idea that then I would have to remove the snow from the mountain in the background since they are what is being reflected. What do you think? |
Mar 10th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
Judith, I can't give you a shutter speed as this is HDR and the three layers all have different shutter speeds. Unfortunately I did not keep the three layers, just the HDR that resulted from them, I can tell you that I shot this on Av so the camera selected teh three shutter speeds and that they were - 1/23. 0 and +1 2/3. |
Mar 10th |
| 52 |
Mar 21 |
Reply |
I have never been particularly happy with this image. Your idea about how to stack the HDR is very interesting and I will definitely try that in the future...I did not keep all the layers for one so can't try it here.
I think that the fact that the light is coming from behind me and a bit to the left is what gives this image a flat appearance that I have not been able to overcome in post processing. I do see the difference in the foreground clarity as Judith pointed out. |
Mar 10th |
6 comments - 5 replies for Group 52
|
14 comments - 8 replies Total
|
