Light "Fen"tastic w/repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 15, 2010401 views29 comments

Goofy title and for all you ecologists out there it could very well be a bog, but I couldn't come up with a play on words for bog. Regardless, few things scream north country here in the northeast than bogs and fens.

I've photographed this spot in Acadia National Park on several occasions without getting anything that I'm super psyched about, until now. This was taken on a very bright and cloudless day while waiting for sunset. I was really struck by the glow produced from strong backlight. I shot it with and without the sun star but am thinking I prefer this one for the extra little pizazz. I've included the other version for comparison, which do you prefer?

5DII, 16-35, 2 exposures blended for sustar and flare

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 15, 2010 at 1:54 PM

Here's the other version.

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

Comment posted by Mitch Moraski on November 15, 2010 at 1:56 PM

Good thing we brought that big flashlight dude....not to mention the red spray paint!! Great idea to go in barefoot, so as not to leave shoeprints! Great, great comp dude! Now get back to watching that little one of yours!!

Registered on August 3, 2008, 105 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 15, 2010 at 2:01 PM

Aren't you supposed to be working Mitch. Glad to see my tax dollars being used so effectively

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

Comment posted by Mitch Moraski on November 15, 2010 at 2:04 PM

My lab is down...I can't do a thing!! You pay taxes??

Registered on August 3, 2008, 105 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on November 15, 2010 at 2:11 PM

Sunstar version, definately! And the title is so bad it's totally awesome!

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 15, 2010 at 2:31 PM

Love the title and perfect use of lighting (I would consider cloning the lens flare though). We have quite a few fens in my neck of the woods and I always struggle with how to photograph them but this is certainly a wonderful way to do that.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on November 15, 2010 at 2:57 PM

For me it's the image without the sunstar. I love the way the reds and greens are equally lit across the scene in the second image pulling my eye in all directions. Well seen and captured!

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

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on November 15, 2010 at 3:30 PM

Both are beautiful, but the first one is the winner for me. It has a very optimistic feel to it. Brilliant!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 15, 2010 at 4:16 PM

Delightful shot Kurt. I like both versions, but if I had to pick I would choose the sunstar version. Beautiful colors and great clarity.

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on November 15, 2010 at 5:18 PM

The sunstar works beautifully Kurt, makes the entire shot very radiant indeed.

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

Comment posted by Jason Kim on November 15, 2010 at 5:30 PM

Both are nice, but I prefer the sunstar version. Definitely adds something dynamic to the image.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by beth summer on November 15, 2010 at 6:11 PM

I love them bith but the sunstar is a bit more unusual so I'd go with that one. Love the rich colors. Having lived in New England for the first third of my life, I'd say you captured the fen very well. They can be difficult to shoot. Beautifully executed.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 437 Posts, 5220 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 15, 2010 at 6:11 PM

Both are beautiful but the sun star sets the first apart from the usual.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 15, 2010 at 6:26 PM

Both work on different levels for me. The sunstar definitely has more impact, but the one without is excellent as well.

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on November 15, 2010 at 7:52 PM

Gorgeous, Kurt! I love the mix of greens and reds. I like the sunstar, I think it adds a bit more emotion. If possible I'd try to get rid of the flare.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 15, 2010 at 8:19 PM

Kurt,

Initially I thought the sun star was too dominant, but's very effective and dynamic that I think I do prefer this version over the second post - which is excellent too btw. The only nit I have would be to try and eliminate the flares. Wasn't it Ian that had a blog post about that? Not a big deal, but I wish the flare wasn't there.

I do love how the scene is highlighted and back lit. Great color too.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on November 15, 2010 at 8:48 PM

I definitely prefer the sunstar version. Excellent idea and execution. I would remove the flare spots. Very nice image, Kurt.

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on November 15, 2010 at 8:49 PM

The light appears to more focused on the main element in the sunstar photo. The flare is a bit distracting.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 15, 2010 at 9:06 PM

Thanks folks, I was on the fence about the flare but will probably go back in and remove it.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 15, 2010 at 9:13 PM

Gorgeous capture Kurt, simply gorgeous including the 2nd post. I am torn between the two but really like the sun star of the first. A minor nit on the first post though is the small red and orange dots of lens flare..... but gorgeous none the less.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on November 15, 2010 at 10:27 PM

Both are very nice! I prefer the intensity/warmth of the light in the sunstar version. But i prefer the overall shot of the one without. Sorry. Is it the same comp for both other wise. If so, you could maybe do a blend.

I know what a bog is, but have never heard of a "fen". What's that?

Chris

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

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on November 15, 2010 at 10:45 PM

The original post is definitely eye catching. I suppose I prefer it due to that fact but I find the lens flare a bit distracting. I have also tried my hand photographing a fen and struggle to find good comps. You did very well here with a nice, creative touch.

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 15, 2010 at 10:47 PM

Excellent. I like the first one best.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 15, 2010 at 10:48 PM

Exquisite, Kurt. That backlight is really amazing. Most definitely the image with the sunstar for me. The trees and the light are beautiful in there own right but the addition of that centered sunstar adds a wonderful element to your excellent composition. I might try to minimize those few colored lens flare spots, but that is really minor. Fantastic image.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 15, 2010 at 11:10 PM

Okay, so I was feeling a little lazy today. Here's a version sans lens flare, although I gotta tell ya, I kind of like the flare. Thanks for all the positive feedback!

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

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on November 16, 2010 at 7:25 AM

Mitch was right; you kicked butt this trip.

While I think both images are first rate the first one with the sunstar has much more visual impact for me. Great thinking outside the box, Kurt.

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on November 16, 2010 at 7:46 AM

Lovely light and clever composition, Kurt. Great shot!

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on November 16, 2010 at 7:49 AM

I'm not certain if I prefer one over the other, they are almost two completely different scenes for me. I like the backlighting and mix of colors in the version without the sunstar, and of course the version with the sun grabs your attention and pulls you into it. Both have there own mood for me.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on November 17, 2010 at 2:09 AM

Awesome!

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