Becoming One

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 20, 2010627 views38 comments

I guess I needed a break from the winter and fell back on processing a few fall images from the Smokies. This morning I really remember, it was very peaceful. I took some shots here and then had breakfast along side this bank. The sound of the stream and nobody around, it was definitely a place to ponder.
This section was a convergence of two branches becoming one. The light was just starting to filter through and I was able to capture two exposures. One for water and another for the rest of the image.

Its almost hard to keep up with all the outstanding images lately so heres to everyone

Thanks again for all your support this last year and this new year, much appreciated.

Canon 40D
10-22 @ 10mm
Polarizer
6 sec. @ f 16 for image and 1/3 sec for water I think

Comments

38 comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on January 20, 2010 at 7:07 PM

Looks like a wonderful spot to stop for a while. I really enjoy this, from the composition to the spots of color here and there. The "glow" seems a bit strong along the upper edge, but that's a matter of personal taste and it's hard to evaluate properly at 720 pixels in any event.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on January 20, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Hi Anthony,

Wonderfully processed. The water exposure looks perfect. I agree with Phil about the glow, but that's very slight. Excellent work, super professional. Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on January 20, 2010 at 7:19 PM

Thanks Phil and Michael,
Not sure about "glow" but what I did do with top portion is keep it soft and used a slight blur layer along with some dodging to keep it in balance. I didn't sharpen it to much either, but I know its minimal. The light was real soft this morning, I liked it

Really appreciate your comments, maybe I'll sharpen them up more if its a distraction.

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

Comment posted by Ian Haskell on January 20, 2010 at 7:29 PM

Pretty nice dreamy effect with this one. The dashings of orange colour are really dragging my eyes through the shot. I think it is one of those photos you can look at and look at some more. Really nice!

Ian

Registered on October 30, 2008, 24 Posts, 673 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 20, 2010 at 8:00 PM

Wow, just a magical shot! Great light, color, comp, and pp. Love it all from the leaves on the foreground rock to the glow in the background.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on January 20, 2010 at 8:18 PM

Stunning shot Anthony, love the light and contrast in the water.

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Ellingsen on January 20, 2010 at 8:20 PM

This is very easy on the eyes, Anthony. Technically, everything is very solid, and the choice of shutter speed is perfect for my taste. Personally, I like the "glow" here. Whatever you are- or are not doing; it works for me.

Registered on January 16, 2008, 56 Posts, 953 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 20, 2010 at 8:20 PM

This is gorgeous, Anthony!
I like the fact that the shutter speed is not too slow. I like the glow, and the exposure of the top half seems quite natural combined with the rest of the image. I wonder if the comments about the glow might have something to do with the fact that the brightness of those two light areas on the top border, combined with the blur layer, draw the eye to the light, leading us right off the top of the frame. It would seem to be a shame to tone that lovely light down, but it might help keep the viewer's eye in the picture. Still beautiful! -- It seems that the more we like an image, the more we want to do to try to improve on it!

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Reed Bowman on January 20, 2010 at 9:15 PM

Great shot. I love jhow the streams lead to the soft glow of the yellow tree in the bg... very nice

Registered on March 2, 2009, 166 Posts, 1058 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on January 20, 2010 at 9:17 PM

Anthony, I enjoy the composition and lighting in the background, but the diffusion back there is just a bit too much for my taste.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on January 20, 2010 at 9:29 PM

Pretty surprised the small patch of softness is not liked. I do however want to be flexible and if it can be improved upon than I'll take the advice. I realize either way works but I'll post a version with the blur layer discarded and a bit more sharpness/contrast. Let me know either way

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

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on January 20, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Oh, yeah. I like that better.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 20, 2010 at 9:33 PM

Anthony,
Lovely spot, and I really like your comp, and perspective. I don't use the softening technique a lot, but I do enjoy it. It does look a little strong here. Sometimes an effect of this technique is the appearance of an uneven dodge, or burn. It can get splotchy sometimes. It looks just a little like that here. Just in the background shadows. Another thing I'm really enjoying is the splash of yellow in the URC.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on January 20, 2010 at 9:36 PM

Don't want to comment much on my own image but I do like the repost better. Sometimes a little extra is too much.... personal taste though.

Thanks everyone

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 20, 2010 at 9:37 PM

Hi Anthony

What a splendid scene, So beautiful and natural. I like how the movement of the water flows to the F.G. The light and color just add to this amazing composition.

Albert Darmo Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by István Molnár on January 20, 2010 at 9:41 PM

Clear composition .nice colors.

Registered on January 7, 2010, 114 Posts, 704 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 20, 2010 at 10:13 PM

This feels a bit Adamus-esque with the hazy light and strong colors. Well done as always, Anthony.

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on January 20, 2010 at 10:55 PM

Lovely, Anthony. The golden leafed tree in the background gives this image
that little something extra.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on January 20, 2010 at 11:12 PM

Yep, definitely prefer the less-diffuse repost. As Tony says, it does have an "Adamus-esque" appearance. Good one.

Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 21, 2010 at 12:06 AM

Looks like a fabulous place to have breakfast Anthony. I like the repost more - sometimes it's so easy to get carried away in the processing, especially for a dreamy place like this. I wish there were just a bit more breathing room at the top - those yellows draw me right in, and I'd love to see more of 'em. (I suppose there might have been some sky in the way).

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on January 21, 2010 at 1:07 AM

Very appealing. Looks like you applied some "glow processing" which suits the subject very well I think. The composition is very strong.

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

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on January 21, 2010 at 1:31 AM

It's so simple a scene, and yet, I find this photo utterly spellbinding. Nothing to critique except perhaps a little "haziness" along the top, and that might be a natural mist. Anyway, sweet.

Just saw the repost. Even better.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on January 21, 2010 at 2:37 AM

anthony - great composition with nice light. the diffusion also a little too much for my taste - but that's just me!

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on January 21, 2010 at 3:06 AM

I vote for the second one, mainly because I want to see more detail in the yellow bush and foliage. One thing I have used and like is defusing the water. Nice shot here Anthony.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on January 21, 2010 at 3:56 AM

Very pretty autumn scene Anthony, excellent color and comp. Beautiful work.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 21, 2010 at 4:23 AM

This is magical. The composition is superb and the color is so pleasingly natural looking. Initially the blur effect is a little painful for me, but the longer I look at it, the more I appreciate the soft, ethereal look/feel. That's the magic. The image transforms right before my eyes! Amazing.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on January 21, 2010 at 4:59 AM

Excellent comp, Anthony. I love the way the rocks are placed throughout the frame and your processing is beautiful with the glow effect giving it a magic quality. However, I think I prefer the repost without the blur as I think it improves the impact of the image without it. It's nice to see all the detail you've captued so well sharply. The small amount of yellow works beautifully to break up all the green, and the water is beautifully exposed. Great shot!

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on January 21, 2010 at 6:14 AM

there is a magical feel to it. the glow works nicely here, imo. great colors and the comp is excellent. the first post works better. there seems to be some areas in the centre of the upper edge of the image that seems to suffer from some dodging, if so, minor corrections. very nice comp vicent and beautifuly presented, as usual.

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

Comment posted by Rafael Rojas on January 21, 2010 at 8:24 AM

This is just dreamy. A dream made image. I can hear the water flowing and smell the humidity and wet leaves around...Your ruined my winter

Registered on March 1, 2009, 56 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on January 21, 2010 at 8:34 AM

Wow, your taking a brutal beating on this one.
What were you thinking ?

I'm just fcukin' with ya.

Wonderful shot. My opinion on the soft glow ? If you like it, I like it.
Do you process a shot that is true to your artistic Chakra? Or, do you process it to get your comment talley higher ...

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on January 21, 2010 at 10:06 AM

Very nice Anthony, love the comp and the color here. I actually like both versions, I enjoy the soft glow in the first, and it's hard to comment on that without viewing it larger. I agree, on this small web based presentation the repost looks nicer.

Nice capture either way.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on January 21, 2010 at 11:41 AM

Thought I'd take a look back at this one to see how you/others felt about the glow . . . I slightly prefer the repost, but both are wonderful and as I (and others) said above, the "glow" is a matter of personal taste. Such a nice image!

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on January 21, 2010 at 1:19 PM

The redo is mo better! I like this scene quite a bit, Anthony.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on January 21, 2010 at 4:06 PM

Great composition, timing and colours. Both versions are really interesting.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Carlos Molina on January 22, 2010 at 11:16 AM

Anthony, I know this exact spot, I photographed it in the past. You have a beautiful rendition here. Agree about the glow, your repost is much better. Very nice though.

Registered on March 17, 2009, 40 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on January 22, 2010 at 8:11 PM

I really like the processing on this one. The light is nice and soft, yet the image has strong sharpness.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on January 23, 2010 at 7:07 PM

NICE!!!