Strokes of the Merced

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 1, 2009434 views16 comments

Thanks for the comments on the previous image.

Here's one that's a little diversion away from trees and detail. This is actually a 2-image blend - and with 4x5! I did expose 2 sheets, one at 1s and the other at 5s. What you see here is primarily the 1s exposure, but the main wave crest in the center was a little "hot," so I blended the longer exposure where the crest was smoothed out a little more. So really, it not much more than an overdone cloning. More importantly though, I used Tony Kuyper's burn/dodge layer and luminosity masks to "paint" in some contrast. And with this particular image and the flow of the water, I literally felt like I was applying painting strokes as I went over the image like it was a canvas.

As always your thoughts and honest critiques are always welcome.

Chaminow 4x5, 300mm, V100f 1s & 5s exposures.

Thanks!

Lon

sorry - no larger version this time. This one's not about detail...

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Debjit Ghosh on June 1, 2009 at 9:37 PM

fantastic abstract Lon. I guess you are the first one to do exposure blends with 4x5 - kudos to you!

Registered on May 11, 2008, 8 Posts, 211 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on June 1, 2009 at 10:09 PM

Another beautiful intimiate scene Lon. You should come up with less of them, else we might become inured to their charms!

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on June 1, 2009 at 10:34 PM

Very nice textures and a real graphic beauty. Nicely done Lon

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 1, 2009 at 10:48 PM

This is very relaxing, and nice to look at. The processing looks fantastic, and you came away with a winner, yet again

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 1, 2009 at 10:59 PM

Beautiful, Lon. Really well composed and presented.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 1, 2009 at 10:59 PM

This is really well done, Lon. The final texture is very pleasing. Water is a great subject for luminosity painting, and you applied it very well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 2, 2009 at 1:01 AM

Thanks very much for the comments.

Deb - Guarenteed not the first to put together mulitple 4x5's.... and probably not the first on NPN. But it was kinda fun and challenging to be just like the digital folks...

I thought this might be a good place to plug Tony's Luminosity painting masks, actions and techniques. Not only does it allow creativity with your images, but I personally find his actions very efficient in my processing workflow. Check out his article posted on NPN last year. From there you can get to his website and tutorials. Highly recommended!

Thanks!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on June 2, 2009 at 1:02 AM

I liked your previous one a lot - classic Lon-Yosemite photography! This is here is very different yet also great. Just the water, no rocks but still a very rich and "entertaining" composition. The bw also is a good idea here!

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on June 2, 2009 at 5:41 AM

just great! awsome textures and motion! the conversion to b&w just works great for me! congrats lon!

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Verena & Georg Pop on June 2, 2009 at 8:31 AM

so, finally, all the digital photogs know we can do that too...

I like it, although that kind of subject I like better in color. (especially YOU have such nice ones!!!)
georg

Registered on July 5, 2006, 272 Posts, 2823 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Richins on June 2, 2009 at 10:43 AM

The shutter speed is great. The water has enough texture to keep it interesting.

Registered on March 6, 2008, 113 Posts, 1009 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Dawson on June 2, 2009 at 5:25 PM

I like the sweeping curves and undulations

Registered on February 4, 2006, 364 Posts, 8872 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 2, 2009 at 8:13 PM

Not enough contrast for me, but I am a throwback when it comes to contrast, so don't listen to me.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 2, 2009 at 8:47 PM

I really like the textures and tones here Lon. What a beautiful abstract in motion!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 3, 2009 at 12:57 AM

Beautiful abstract Lon. The lines of the flow and the placement of the waves in your composition work exquisitely well. The few times I have tried a 2 image blend have not been very successful. I'd say yours was very successful.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on June 3, 2009 at 4:12 AM

Excellent job with this one, Lon. You have managed to perfectly capture the idyllic mood of the Merced.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments