Black Partridge Bridge

John, Something about this image that I am just totally enjoying, and I don't think I can put my finger on any one thing. I guess a combination of the wonderful comp, very inviting light and easy on the eye colors all worked so well here! The reflection that continues the curved line of the bridge works very nice too. It seems to take my eye for a little tour through the scene...
I kind of wish the man wasn't there but still a wonderful and inviting scene for me. Nice work John.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Thanks so much for looking, Nick. Your comments mean a lot to me!

John, I echoe gets nick said but would crop the image just above the dead leaves. I think that would make the image a little moe dynamic and it doesn't seem like that area adds to the image/ subject.

I think this is a very interesting comp and it works well. Me too, i kind of like the man wasn't there or at least didn't wear a red jacket. That's the onkly thing that bothers me in a very beautiful image.

Thanks for your comment, Roland. I cannot help myself from telling you a bit more of the story behind it now, and I hope you understand that this in no way is meant to discount the reaction you have shared, but rather to demonstrate the irony that sometimes exists in this whole arena.

So, I was involved in an Intro to Nature Photography class sponsored by The Morton Aboretum. It was taught by a guy named Hank, a professional nature photographer, and, according to him, a some what famous one. I will say that he was one of the best teachers I've ever had and that in that two week period, just recently, I learned more than I have in the previous two years.

But anyway, on the last photoshoot, one where I shot the frosty green leaves I posted before somewhere, probably on the flora forum, I left early to drive to the place the club I recently joined was having their monthly shoot. When I arrived, they were just leaving. This was the only image I took because after they left a rather ominous looking car pulled into the parking area; sort of like a Grand Turino; and there was this guy with the door open playing music real loud. So it was him and me with upwards of $5K of equipment on my back. I just decided to leave.

Anyway, back to the class; Hank had gone into a couple of things. One thing was he said "HDR" means "highly dubious results" or something like that; he didn't like HDR in any case. Secondly, when he was showing us images he'd taken, he emphasized that the publishers who used his work loved red boats.

So this is the kind of ironic deal here; I'm hunkering down beside this bridge just after everyone leaves except for this guy and his wife. I'm doing a series that I want to use for HDR on account of the lighting under the bridge. Then when the guy and his wife leave and there is just this Grand Turino in the parking lot, I leave.

But then when I get home, I find this annoying guy with a red coat that makes it very difficult for me to execute the HDR I'd intended to submit for our class review. But what I was able to do was to take that single image and use what Hank taught us about Adobe Camera RAW processing to make something half way decent.

And then in class, I said I couldn't remember whether he'd said "red coat" or "red boat"....

You with me?

I like this, John. I agree with cropping above the dead leaves. I wonder if the underside of the bridge could be just a bit darker. While I would like the red coat to not be there, it does add a human element.

John: Interesting narratives and a really good image. I actually don't mind the red coat but what did catch my eye (even though on this small image its hard to tell) is what looks like a partial person (his wife?) at the end of the bridge on his right. Of course that's a pretty small nit and what I'm seeing may just be a blemish on the tree trunk . As for the crop suggestions, I agree that cropping from the bottom to about 4:5 ratio makes this a bit stronger. Well seen and I'm glad you escaped the clutches of the Grand Turino guy. >=))>

A cool perspective and comp. Nice.

Beautiful look at the bridge under some nice light. I like how the arch and it's reflection fill the frame. I too find the person on the far side distracting.

Great point of view John and a strong composition for my tastes, although I suppose I do agree with the crop suggestions. Given the strength of the comp, I wonder what a black and white conversion might look like. That would address the red coat and might also better emphasize the abstract elements of the image.

pat

Thanks for the feedback everyone. What I'm taking from it is that overall the bridge part is OK but there is divided sentiment on the guy in the red coat.

I have decided against cropping the image above the dead leaves because I want to retain the fullest extent of the arc of the reflection on the right side which the crop suggested wound truncate. I understand the point, but it's my choice as the "artist", as it were.

So no B&W conversion either. Sorry.

What this discussion has caused me t ask myself is "what consitutes a 'distraction' "?

Let us say we have an image "AB"

Now, if you are interested in "A", then "B" would be a "distraction" if it is positioned too close to "A".

"B" could, perhaps, be cloned out or removed with the "healing brush", but what about those who would have liked to see "B"?

There will be viewers who will also like AB as opposed to B alone or A alone.

Bottom lne, while I very much appreciate all the comments This image will remain as it is without modification.

I changed my mind and decided to acceed to the views of several others. So this is my best shot at it with an altered aspect ratio and crop, using one of the other images I'd collected for HDR processing.

I kind of like it better with out the foreground dead leaves and without the dude in the red coat. Thanks!!

John, this is very nice, beautiful light, natural color and the composition is perfect, very appealing scene. Beautiful work. Just noticed you did a re post, have to say John, still like the original the best.
John