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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
I grew up in Connecticut, so I know how surreal the colors can be. The updated version might be too subdued, you might consider splitting the difference.
A lovely image with a lot of variations possible. |
Nov 13th |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
I grew up in Connecticut, so I know how surreal the colors can be. The updated version might be too subdued, you might consider splitting the difference.
A lovely image with a lot of variations possible. |
Nov 13th |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
Thanks for all the additional info! |
Nov 13th |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
Robert, in the online classes I took, the "leave the shutter open" technique is not used much any longer. The reasons given are 1) there are so many satellites that they ruin the image, but they can easily be removed if you have shot many shots. 2) if headlights go by or someone goes by with a flashlight, the entire image can be ruined and you lose your 2-5 hour shoot efforts. and 3) The image can be too dark/too light and often not recoverable. This is easily remedied with multiple shots as you can just take the shots that you want--say 30 of the 120 shots and use 30 to make your star trails. The program Star Trax has completely revolutionized making star trails--its the easiest night photography after photographing the moon. |
Nov 13th |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
Thanks, Pei-Fan. I found it quite easy to do and lots of fun. |
Nov 13th |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
Thanks, Ed. I did take a foreground pic first. However, because of the keystoning of the barn (see original), it wouldn't blend with the star trails at all. I started photographing star trails when it was pretty light out, as I could see Polaris very early.
Thanks for catching the purple fringe and waving bushes, I'll see if I can fix that. |
Nov 13th |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
Thanks for all your thoughts, Robert! I stacked my images using the "Comet" choice in Star Stax, which makes the trails brighter at the tip. It is a popular look and was a conscious post-processing look and has nothing to do exposure values.
I must not have been clear in my description. Each and every exposure was 30 seconds, 1 second break, and repeated this 120 times. I used all manual settings and manual focus. I did not leave the shutter open. Perhaps the confusion is
because I locked my cable release, so it continuously shot my settings until I unlocked it an hour later.
Polaris is 41 degrees above the horizon in Fort Wayne. You are seeing over a huge barn and over a tall tree line. I have seen many star trails that look oval. Perhaps its about keystoning, but I think that my Arca plate might have slipped slightly since it was pointing quite high into the sky.
I was thrilled that Erik Kuna, the photographer for NASA rockets and Space X rockets, said he loved the photo and liked the centering over the barn and that I had a large established foreground. His point is that when you are in an area without a strong foreground like Arches National Park, finding a strong foreground like a car or building adds a lot to the image.
So its all just preference and I'll keep your thoughts in mind for my next projects. Thanks!
|
Nov 7th |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
In the Kelby class, they shared with us that photographers don't like star trails, but our viewers love them. I have to say that I love them and have always wanted to try it, but I realize its not for everyone.
I agree the right hand trails are better than the others, and I now know that if I spent 2-3 hours photographing without clouds setting in, I could have lots of very tight rings of white circles. I'll be trying that soon, as well as several variations on star trails. Thanks! |
Nov 3rd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Comment |
Great image! What a scene! I'd be tempted to use your normal post-processing techniques. It seems you often use more contrast and saturation than this image (similar to my style). I definitely don't see the aspens as too bright.
If it were my image, I'd use a brush and brush on a bit of contrast and vibrance in a few key places to move us around the image a bit more. But I also appreciate wanting it to feel like the style from a decade ago and not mess with it. |
Nov 3rd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Comment |
I was just going to write exactly what Kathyrn said. My suggestion would be to put a vignette on it, and that might make it feel less bright. If that doesn't work, take the exposure down just a bit.
Lovely colors and the water is gorgeous! Very peaceful. |
Nov 3rd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Comment |
This is my favorite image of yours! I'd love to have this! Great lines (I mean, circles!) and beautifully composed. I agree with Kathryn that a tiny bit of contrast or sharpening on faces might be a nice add.
I might be tempted to add a bit more of your rusty orange with a brush. I'd add it on some of the orange circle webs to darken them to add more interest and "frame" the people in the center. |
Nov 3rd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Comment |
It's a little dizzying to me. I do agree with Jean that it is perfect for Halloween!
I might remove the trees on the top right, as the black treetops seem a bit much.
Good on you to rescue a "mistake"! |
Nov 3rd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Comment |
I think we've all taken a shot like your original, trying to get the cute couple walking or the bicyclist zooming away. For me, I've always trashed them, not really catching the right moment.
I love how you took a "garbage pic" and severely cropped it and add a lot of moodiness and created such an amazing image.
I'm interested...was it this foggy/out of focus, or did you lower contrast/sharpness to create it? You mention that you made changes in LR and PS, but could you give more details on what you changed?
Also, I'm wondering if there is a good filter in Nik or ON1 that would allow me to create this look on a normal image? |
Nov 2nd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
I love it! Such a great spontaneous moment.
An option would be to use generative fill or patch tool to fill in the "dirt path" and railroad ties. That might focus a bit more on the couple and the view. Not needed, but just an idea to pretty it up even further. |
Nov 2nd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
Thanks! It was really fun and I am so happy that you feel I'm working hard at my photography and am a good group leader. Thanks for your fabulous participation! |
Nov 2nd |
| 78 |
Nov 25 |
Reply |
Thanks so much! I'm very touched with your kind comments. I did work hard on it, and I'm glad it shows. It was very fun, quite easy, and I'm happy to help anyone who would like to try it. I guess you would you already have, since you've gotten such great eclipse sequences. Thanks again. |
Nov 2nd |
5 comments - 11 replies for Group 78
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5 comments - 11 replies Total
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