The Leaf

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 31, 2011237 views10 comments

...and logs, moss, water, rocks ....

Set up the tripod and cable, then exposed a lot of different shutter speeds. I thought HDR would be needed for a salvage effort. Then just went with this... one exposure.

Nikon D300, Nikon 14-24mm at 14 (1.5x=21mm)

F20, 1/5 shutter speed

(Edit: Bruce-Yes, this was shot yesterday w/Steve...sorry that we missed you and Joe C.)

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 1, 2012 at 7:41 AM

I really like the shutter speed you went with in this version. The water motion makes the image for me. I also like the background. In fact, I think eliminating the foreground and using the rock in the stream as the foreground anchor may even work better. However, I like it as is as well.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 1, 2012 at 10:39 AM

Before reading Scott's comment above, I was thinking literally the same thing. I really like the water shapes and textures and the I find the foreground pulls me away from the water. Cropping the bottom 1/3 really makes the image jump off the screen for me.

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

Comment posted by Ken Smith on January 1, 2012 at 10:50 AM

Hi Harley and Scott, thanks for the comments! Here is a version with the bottom crop. Ken S

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on January 1, 2012 at 12:04 PM

I would have never thought of this crop, because the foreground is quite pretty, but I think it works very well. I think the cropped version is a winner, you're able to focus on the movement of the water more.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 1, 2012 at 1:01 PM

Ken, the cropped version makes for a much more immediate experience of the wondeful flow o me. Perfect choice of shutter speed and fine processing in my opinion.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on January 1, 2012 at 2:03 PM

Hi Ken, both versions are excellent but I prefer the original. I like your choice of ss and the leaves on the mossy rock make a nice fg but when cropped the rock in the water becomes the fg and I just don't think it is as attractive as in the original. The water is a powerful element in both images so why not go with the better fg? I like that you departed from the long ss and smoothed, cotton candy look that is so often overdone IMO. However I'm as guilty as anybody.....or more.

All said I like both and the processing is spot on.
Was this shot yesterday on your outing with Steve? I hated to miss out on that one.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 1, 2012 at 2:07 PM

Prefer the first version. What a fantastic image? Busy, but full of fun things to see and explore and that water texture is awesome. Excellent all around!

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 1, 2012 at 5:25 PM

This is really nice Ken. The water looks fantastic! I like both versions but I think I would pick the crop over the original. Either way an excellent image. Very well done!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 1, 2012 at 10:11 PM

Ken, I know I suggested it, but I do prefer the cropped version because of its dynamic feel, but I also like the original.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 2, 2012 at 3:41 PM

This is a wonderful image. I far prefer the original with the leaves on the moss in the foreground. It helps to divide the image into thirds and build a more solid framework for the water and trees beyond. I wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments