sparks lake morning #1

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 12, 2013927 views27 comments

A misty morning on sparks lake looking up to Broken Top Mt(I think). This was probably the most difficult sky I've ever processed. While the color was there, the detail somehow was mysteriously absent in all of my files, almost like there was a layer of haze on top of it, which may have been the reason, but I don't remember it being that way to my eye. This image has been through hours of photoshop time, and several revisions already. Curious to get your general impressions.

I am really happy with the composition. This triangular formation of rocks was just sitting there waiting for me. I'm curious if another photographer perhaps set it up this way, but I don't think so because some of the rocks seemed pretty deep in the mud. The clouds mimicked the shape almost perfectly, and gave me a nice X formation when seen with the reflection.

Thanks for any thoughts and C&C!

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on September 12, 2013 at 3:13 PM

Can't tell from this that you had any difficulty processing it, very natural, especially the mist on the lake. Agree that the placement of the rocks clouds and mountain all came together well for you.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on September 12, 2013 at 3:56 PM

I'm really enjoying the comp as well, Ted. It's hard to tell at this size but it looks like there is a black line across the top of the peaks on the right, not sure if it's a result of the blend or if it's from the web sharpening, which looks slightly overdone. I think you could tone down the mist rising off the water a little bit as well, so as to not draw as much attention in the center of the image. Just a few minor suggestions to improve this already wonderful image.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Karsten Wrobel on September 12, 2013 at 4:46 PM

great comp indeed, I particularly enjoy the clouds formations in the sky...
very minor suggestion: I might consider cloning out the rock which cuts through the bottom

Registered on November 1, 2008, 117 Posts, 851 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on September 12, 2013 at 5:10 PM

This is definitely one of the best I've seen from here, and I like the changes you made from the previous versions I had seen. On here, it does seem a bit over sharpened especially around the rocks and mountains on the horizon. The trees also feel this way as well. Other than that, I can't see much else to nit pick over. I'd be pretty happy to have this on my hard drive.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on September 12, 2013 at 7:21 PM

I'll echo the previous sentiments about oversharpening Ted. I'm sure web compression is also a factor. All that aside, one of the best Sparks Lake shots I've seen. I'm sure the uncompressed version looks great!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on September 12, 2013 at 8:25 PM

Works for me, Ted. Lovely scene well done. I like the mist the way it is: I think if you tried to lower its value it would lose its sense of light.

I can relate to lots of PS work and multiple versions of images.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on September 12, 2013 at 9:40 PM

Man, I have dreamed of conditions like this there for years. I have made the trip up there 3 times over the last 1/2 dozen or so years, and been shut out each time. This is absolutely beautiful. If I ever get anything close to this, I will be able to rest easy about it then!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on September 12, 2013 at 9:50 PM

Amazing scene Ted. Fantastic mood. Love the mist and foreground rocks.

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

Comment posted by Ted Gore on September 12, 2013 at 10:15 PM

I know I have an over-sharpening addiction. I do it knowingly, and inevitably am called out on it every time. The first step to recover is acceptance! No more!

Thanks for your thoughts! I'm happy you like it. It was a great morning. This lake is magical in the early mornings.

Chris, man, I must of gotten lucky because I went here twice for sunrise and got great conditions both times. Will be processing my second shot soon. It's best to go when it's on the chilly side, as it creates a bigger temperature difference between the water and the air, which means more mist. Good luck!

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on September 12, 2013 at 10:57 PM

Beautiful light and color in this, Ted. I like the composition - especially the way that you have framed the foreground rocks with the "X" created by the clouds and their reflection. The symmetrical 50/50 composition works well here. The mist coming off the lake is the icing on the cake. Just beautiful work.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on September 12, 2013 at 11:20 PM

Beautiful Image Ted.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on September 13, 2013 at 4:21 AM

Wonde rful atmosphere Ted and the sky does indeed look gorgeous. I would concur with what some others say in relation to the sharpening the rocks and left side trees in particular have a grittiness to the sharpness as portrayed, I might just pull back the sharpening a touch and smooth it all out. It looks like a fraction to much recovery is on the foreground rocks as well.

Just saw your comments re your own compulsion to sharpen perhaps a little excessively, so excuse the above.

Ian

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on September 13, 2013 at 10:28 AM

This is a lovely image and, IMO, well worth the extra care you took with the processing. Beautiful natural color, and a excellent composition. Nicely done

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on September 13, 2013 at 10:29 AM

Nice! Peter Coskun touched on all the points I would have made.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on September 13, 2013 at 10:48 AM

Stunning work and reflection !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on September 13, 2013 at 11:44 AM

Beautiful image Ted. All the elements really came together for you on this one. My only critique would be that the bottom center of the image is a little dark for me, and since you can't go back and rotate that polarizer to get more light from the sky, maybe a little post brightening? Thanks for sharing this.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Donovan on September 13, 2013 at 1:08 PM

Amazing image Ted! The color palette is fantastic. Been said on the sharpening and right ridge-line dark band...no other suggestions for improvement from me. I hope to encounter conditions like this on a future visit!

Registered on August 29, 2013, 11 Posts, 40 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on September 13, 2013 at 5:58 PM

Simply classic!

A very minor thing is the rock touching the bottom of the frame but that minor indeed.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on September 14, 2013 at 12:22 AM

Cant really beat those conditions. Woah. Might turn down skky about 1/3 stop....but all personal taste. Killer.

aF

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

Comment posted by Tareq Alhamrani on September 14, 2013 at 6:56 AM

This is truly a nice beautiful shot, i love the colors, and the composition is spot on, well done!!!

Registered on September 3, 2013, 3 Posts, 11 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 14, 2013 at 4:32 PM

Ted, Just Beautiful!! You really captured some fantastic conditions and I love that fog / mist coming off the lake. The light and colors are wonderful and excellent work on your comp.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on September 15, 2013 at 2:43 AM

Ted,

What a fantastic reflectionscape! Everything fits together here like a jigsaw puzzle - especially the triangle of rocks at the bottom you recognized and the arrangement and alignment of the clouds - just gorgeous! No nits or suggestions from me.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on September 15, 2013 at 10:07 AM

Beautiful light and comp!

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on September 15, 2013 at 10:12 AM

Magnificent. The clouds really fit into the foreground comp, the color is wonderful, and I love the added touch of mist.

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

Comment posted by Ted Gore on September 18, 2013 at 11:07 AM

Here is an updated image with better sharpening. I also tweaked the color a bit and moved the rock that was cutting the frame at the bottom. Thanks All!

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 18, 2013 at 10:19 PM

Stunning image - congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on September 19, 2013 at 11:26 PM

Even living only 24 miles from here, this is going to be hard to beat! :) Great shot!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments