Red (w/ crop version)

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 13, 2010543 views52 comments

Hey folks. I know it's been a long time and my apologies for not being so active for the past few weeks. No new work to share and life has it's way of well, getting in the way of our passion of photography sometimes.

Was quite bummed this year that I was unable to make a fall run this year, so I'm stuck having to post something from last year. This image may not be everyone's cup of tea and honestly, I'm not sure it's mine either, but I thought I would post anyway (Didn't make my cut list last year!) This was captured in the Eastern Sierra near the Dunderburg Meadow area.

Using swing with the LF camera/lens I attempted to really blow out the depth of field and try to simulate a soft-focus lens. Using the extreme movements, a wide open lens AND for full disclosure, a small amount of select blurring in PS.... I ended up with trying to show just a small cluster of deep red aspen leaves. And for all us Aspen peepers, a red aspen is somewhat of the pinnacle of fall color.

Anyway, just wanted to share and let you know that I'm still kickin'. As usual, your comments are greatly appreciated.

4x5, Fujinon 135, V100F f/5.6 @1/8s

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

52 comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on October 13, 2010 at 11:37 PM

I think you accomplished everything you intended to with this. Although, you could just go buy a lense baby!

I agree, a red aspen is the pinnacle of fall color, at least out here in the west. This tree here, has some of the deepest red I have ever seen in an aspen. Nice! The presence of your postings has been missed, as was your presence on the east side this last trip.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on October 13, 2010 at 11:40 PM

Pretty amazing color for an aspen Lon. I normally don't care for these selective focus type shots, but I think this works very well. The deeper branches add nice layers to the image and its not so blurry that you can't tell what you are looking at. Your composition is excellent too. Unique and beautiful...

Michael

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on October 13, 2010 at 11:47 PM

Seems to have worked as you wanted things to take place from your explanation, Lon. It's always neat to try and experiment with various looks in the field, although, as we know they don't always come to fruition. In this case it has worked as planned.
Your description here brings to mind our trip to this locale in the late afternoon last year. I assume this was the scene you mentioned capturing the next morning after I'd departed to return home. Excellent work and idea all the way around.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 14, 2010 at 12:02 AM

I know a couple of bright red aspen patches--i think next year ill have to make a pilgrimage...
Im not huge on OOF stuff, so personall id crop some of the rhs so the focused part takes up more real estate, but overall this is real nice, Lon!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 14, 2010 at 12:28 AM

I'll echo, love the color and comp but I'm not as big a fan of the out of focus. Glad to hear your alive and kicking!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on October 14, 2010 at 1:10 AM

Lon,

I think the technique worked out well. Although I think it would have been better had the cluster not been so close to the edge of the frame.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on October 14, 2010 at 1:13 AM

I love the light on the trunk branches and leaves! Soft, but with good clarity. The blueish cast on the aspens bark adds a lot for me too. The soft focus emphasizes the main feature here evenmore, but that being said, my mind wonders how a "normal" version would look like. The comp is balanced and offers a lot of the beautiful red leaves in other areas, so I am left with wanting to see these things sharper and detailed. But as a style element I think you have incorporated the selective focus very well and it works for me!

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on October 14, 2010 at 1:25 AM

Wow, what a (dark) red aspen! I know how you feel, going digging through the old stuff, hoping to find a treasure you may have overlooked.. but knowing that there's a reason you skipped it the first go around. I have to agree, it's not quite up to you usual images, but I can see what attracted you to the scene. I think for it to work better for me I'd like the in focus leaves to be a little bigger in the frame so I could really see their details.

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

Comment posted by Giovanni Russello on October 14, 2010 at 2:21 AM

Hi Lon,
sorry to hear that you are stuck this autumn with other stuff rather than going out there and take some pics.

Let's say that is not my cup of tea either. However I can see some potentials if this is printed as a big canvas.

gio

Registered on January 21, 2007, 95 Posts, 1617 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on October 14, 2010 at 2:36 AM

Incredible color, Lon. To have found a red aspen, much less one with such deep red color, must have been a real treat. At first, I wasn't too crazy about the out of focus areas, especially in the smaller image. The large image though, really seems to work exceedingly well. The in- focus area has such sharpness and clarity that the out of focus areas make for a nice complementing background. I think you really accomplished what you set out to do and hats off to you for attempting this and succeeding. Experimentation can be expensive with a 4x5 but I think it paid off.

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 14, 2010 at 4:19 AM

First of all this has a 3-d effect, none of what I have ever seen on NPN. Very unique. I know your main focus here is the tree on the left and the color. There may be a little competition going on between the two. If it were mine I would experiment with cropping the right side some, maybe to more of a square. Nevertheless a really nice image and thanks for sharing Lon.

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

Comment posted by Paolo De Faveri on October 14, 2010 at 7:10 AM

I love it Lon, I think this is just the right subject for playing with selective focus. Colours are beautiful as well as the light.

Registered on August 29, 2007, 318 Posts, 1651 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on October 14, 2010 at 7:28 AM

I'd crop off the right third.
Love the colors.
Works for me...

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 14, 2010 at 8:25 AM

Wow, I like this a lot - what's not to like? Very creative composition and the selected sharpness works to perfection IMO. Beautiful color as well. Ya done good Pal!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Anders Engström on October 14, 2010 at 8:52 AM

I think its a beautiful image, love the red colors! Maybe I would crop some on the right but I it is good as it is. Great light!
//Anders

Registered on September 21, 2010, 21 Posts, 83 Comments

Comment posted by Cory Freeman on October 14, 2010 at 9:03 AM

cool concept Lon and I'm more than fine with having oof bg in landscape shots. that said I think this would be more pleasing to my eye if the oof llc weren't there leaving just the trunk and the bg oof. Wonderful colors and i'm sorry to hear you weren't able to make it to the east side this year as the color as been really nice at least in bishop. We still have another week or so 'til peak color, weather permitting of course if your schedule should allow for a trip. I hope all is well w/ you and your family.

Cory Freeman
Blog
Sierra Impressions
bishopweather.com

Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on October 14, 2010 at 9:33 AM

Get a lensbaby Lon

Not the most original thing, but that you did it w/LF, it deserves all the accolade

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 14, 2010 at 9:46 AM

Lon, The colors and light are great here. The more I look at this the more interesting it gets to me. For me, after looking for awhile I think I would probably crop some off the right as has been mentioned. This is a wonderful image full of color and feeling. The red aspen is awesome!

Nick Bristol
lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on October 14, 2010 at 10:02 AM

It's certainly different Lon but very pleasing all the same. The colour of the foliage is really nice and the selective focus looks great.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 14, 2010 at 10:15 AM

Thanks for the responses! I didn't figure this to be very strong, but what the heck.

I appreciate the suggestions and until now hadn't considered cropping. I think this works to improve the image and so here is a repost with the right side cropped. I think it helps bring emphasis to the leaves that are in sharp focus and also balances things out a little bit.

thanks again folks!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on October 14, 2010 at 10:41 AM

I like it!

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

Comment posted by Anish Desai on October 14, 2010 at 11:44 AM

Definitely different from most of your work, Lon, but not in a bad way. Personally, I like the narrow depth of field in this case. With this particular composition, I think front to back sharpness might result in a more cluttered image. While I agree with some others in suggesting more emphasis on the in focus areas (which you've addressed nicely in your cropped version), I still like your approach here, and always appreciate something a little different from the norm. The delicate and cool light on the FG trunk is especially lovely, and contrasts so nicely with the relatively dark red foliage.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 49 Posts, 410 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 14, 2010 at 11:44 AM

Yes, I like too!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on October 14, 2010 at 12:57 PM

When I look at this picture, I can appreciate the sensitive eye of the photographer who made it. Love the light on the aspen trunks and the strong color of the red leaves. The selective blurring is a nice touch and adds a lot to the image. Although the cropped version is also nice, my first preference is for the original post.

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on October 14, 2010 at 1:10 PM

Well done Lon! I think I prefer the original even though the cropped version is more focused. I think the original gives more sense of place and surroundings.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Adam Gibbs on October 14, 2010 at 1:22 PM

Hey Lon,

You know in all the time that I have used 4x5 I have never used tilts or swings for selective focus

sad really.

Anyway I applaud you for trying something out of the norm and I think it works nicely.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 168 Posts, 870 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on October 14, 2010 at 1:55 PM

Nice, I love the soft look of this as a result of the shallow DOF.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffrey Sipress on October 14, 2010 at 2:18 PM

Hi Lon,

I'm more of an in focus guy, so I'm grappling with this one. But, I just love the colors!

Don't think your fall ops are over. Yosemite and Zion both go off in November. I'll be in Zion the first week, so think about it.

Registered on February 17, 2004, 236 Posts, 1197 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on October 14, 2010 at 3:15 PM

I'm an admirer of OOF images. I think that I 'd like to see the bottom
left corner cluster of leaves also sharp. I like your composing the sharp
part off center. Striking reds! I'm looking forward to your future postings.

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 14, 2010 at 3:16 PM

Re : the cropped version : now we're talking! It's an oddity among your type of work regarding the DOF but compositionally typically your style. A keeper I reckon, very pretty and works well for me.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on October 14, 2010 at 3:22 PM

That's pretty sick w/ the dof. Kudos

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on October 14, 2010 at 4:14 PM

Love the rich red color of the leaves and the blue tones on the trunk and branches. Reminds me of the aspens at North Lake a few weeks ago. I also like your idea to use selective focus here. I found it was really hard to isolate just the necessary elements when shooting the often chaotic aspen scenes this fall and using a selective focus could sure help in this regard.

I am a little ambivalent about the relative emptiness/darkness in the LRC and in a way the cropped version alleviates this. But at the same time the cropped version also feels a little too straight forward and predictable. I wonder if there is horizontal pano in there to address these things? Probably not, but just a thought. Still a nice image either way.

P.S. Sorry to miss you at the meet up... I was asking whether you were going to make it.

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolas Belokurov on October 14, 2010 at 4:56 PM

I really like the first, uncropped version Lon, it's stronger IMO. Great use of OOF.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 41 Posts, 533 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 14, 2010 at 6:29 PM

My vote is for the original crop.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 14, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Well, as presented, the original actually looks more appealing to me (careful what you ask for...) but i strongly suspect that is due to the framing in the original--makes for an impossible comparison. Although it could be partly due to the strong thirds in the original too...
Who knows, Lon, just come with me on my pilgrimage next year and you can let this one go to waste

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 14, 2010 at 6:50 PM

I am finding the original crop much more engaging. I really like the eye popping color. I think you can use PS to increase the blur on the right side diminishing branch. I also favor a crop of the dark area on the right, but only right past the "n" in Lon on the original post.

I know you don't have a soft focus lens, but the difference in the OOF area boken is really noticeable between movements and an old soft focus lens.

This is a real nice change of pace from both you and to see on the forum. I like it.

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

Comment posted by Doug Roane on October 14, 2010 at 7:15 PM

Well, this kind of stuff IS my cup of tea, Lon - but of course I love the lens baby look! I think this generally works well for me, except for 1 critical area: that branch coming off to the left about 1/3 up - it just doesn't seem right, and I'm guessing that may be an area where you applied some PS blurring???? of course, I could be way off.

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on October 14, 2010 at 7:41 PM

Full version all the way Lon. I actually love this and wouldn't change a thing. Maybe it's me but the small amount of sharpness focuses the eye very well and then smoothly radiates outward. The deep color rocks.

So ya, I think you should stop posting because you might make me go and buy a LF

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

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on October 14, 2010 at 7:43 PM

Hi Lon,
This is really really very beautiful the way you used the DOF and color to compose the shot are exquisite.

Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 14, 2010 at 7:48 PM

Thanks for all the comments folks! I should keep away more often and start posting some of my camera obscura image soon.

Harley - I think he meant lens "bokeh" which is the quality or property of OOF elements of a lens

Doug R - Excellent observation - you nailed it. Yes, that branch 1/3 up from the bottom did have some additional PS blurring. the original shows that branch a bit more in focus - and that is because it is very close to the plane of focus that the cluster leaves is on. Needless to say there are a few areas where the very shallow depth of field was made shallower by some blurring. But for the very most part, the lens and lens plane swing created the shallow DOF.

Thanks again very much folks.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on October 14, 2010 at 8:11 PM

Hey Lon! This is very nice. I love all the awesome red colors of the aspens. For some reason I like the original crop... maybe I like the oof trees on the right, as they give the whole image a little more depth. While this is not your best work, I like the change of pace and, of course, I like the aspens

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on October 14, 2010 at 8:19 PM

I'm a big fan of selective focus for a flower macro but it doesn't work for me in the grandeur scale. The excellent sharpness you achieved at the center of focus makes me want to see more, you tease.

Bummer you missed the color down there. If you've got the time and inclination things are just starting to kick up here in the PNW.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on October 14, 2010 at 8:23 PM

Awesome photo Lon, colors are really beautiful. I think the square crop version is an improvement and i like it, it´s more intimate, but i like the original version too, both images works for me. Cheers

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 14, 2010 at 8:35 PM

Talk about skills and creativity! Perfect pof and dof to make this a work of art. The rich colors just add more icing.

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

Comment posted by Justin Reznick on October 14, 2010 at 9:04 PM

Beautiful color Lon, the soft light on the branch and leaves is heavenly. My suggestion would be to crop as a vertical, slicing the image in half and using the left portion. That's where all my attention is focused.

Registered on November 24, 2009, 79 Posts, 515 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on October 14, 2010 at 9:57 PM

Lon, not only this is extremely beautiful, but also, I cannot get over the quality here. It's just unbelievable. A large print would be to die for. To me, it's one of your best for sure. Amazing colors and love your DOF here. Just a beauty. I probably will stare at it for a long time. Hats off, Mister!

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on October 14, 2010 at 10:29 PM

I love it , Lon. I'm not usually attracted to these types of shots, but this one works and is really appealling to me.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 14, 2010 at 11:03 PM

It fits perfectly into your tree portfolio, Lon. It showcases the diversity of the subject and the the ways it can be presented. No sure if you burned down the blur, but it appears darker and does a nice job of adding a bit of a spotlight to the in-focus leaves.

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

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on October 15, 2010 at 2:01 AM

Great soft focus image Lon!

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on October 15, 2010 at 5:09 AM

what has been said and

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on October 15, 2010 at 7:41 AM

hmm, really uncertain on this one Lon. I definitely like the cropped version over the orginal post. Some great color, and I appreciate the creative effort. I think the blurred immediate fg branches are what bother me a little, otherwise I like the effect. I guess not a really helpful review, probably because I'm still uncertain.... I may have to come back later and look, it's too early to think this much...

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

Comment posted by Laurent Baig on October 15, 2010 at 12:59 PM

Hey Ron,

I REALLY like the cropped version better. Nice work. We need to get you the right kind of lens for this work. I don't like the Fuji's bokeh :)

Registered on January 12, 2005, 206 Posts, 6784 Comments