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Gratitude
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Gratitude

by Brian Schrayer

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 25, 20163,325 views14 comments
Here is another image from my recent Smokies trip.  This was taken in the Tremont area along the Middle Prong of the Little River.  The water levels were unusually low this year, but I still found some nice spots.  I especially like the water flow in this little cascade. 

I was drawing blank on a title so since it is the day after Thanksgiving I thought I would call this one gratitude.  I am definitely thankful for the beautiful places that I have had the opportunity to explore with the camera.  Whether grand or small I am always awestruck by the beauty of God's creation. 

As always all comments and critiques are welcome.  Thank you for your comments on my previous images.  They have been very helpful.  NPN is still the best resource for constructive critiques!

Capture info:
25 mm
f/16 @ 1/5 sec
ISO 200

Processing Info:
Curves adjustments using luminosity mask selections to increase mid-tone contrast, brighten the deepest shadows and lighten the light tones.
TK's focused vibrance mask
Cropped to 4X5 aspect ratio to minimize bright highlights at top of frame and to trim the bottom of the frame

Comments

14 comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on November 25, 2016 at 10:38 AM
Brian, I really love this. The composition is nicely balanced between lighter and darker tones, and the warmth is just right. Your processing here is spot-on. Nicely done!
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on November 25, 2016 at 11:59 AM
This is very appealing, Brian. The warm, soft lighting and subdued colors work great. Nice one! 
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on November 25, 2016 at 12:50 PM
There is a most appealing natural look to this image for me, Bryan. I especially enjoy the mixture of elements, the tangible details in the foreground and the flow of the creek. Your choice of shutter speed is spot on in my opinion. The composition leads me nicely through the scene.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on November 25, 2016 at 1:35 PM
Great image with a shutter speed I can get behind. I might brighten the green leaves to bring them out a bit.
Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 25, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Brian,

A lovely and quiet little autumn scenic.  I'm really liking the visual contrast of the water flowing through the scene and I can see why you like this element in the scene.  

I think you did a great job with the processing - even to the point of holding back on the color/sat. Always a personal choice, but I think you have room to make this pop just a hair more. But honestly, this is naturally beautiful as presented.

Only teeny-tiny nit/suggestion would be to clone/crop from the left to remove that tiny sliver of space on the upper left edge.
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 25, 2016 at 2:20 PM
Brian, Nice job on this great looking fall scene. The composition is very well done and I like how the stream flows through the rocks. Very natural looking and pleasant to view. I agree with Lon that there is probably a little room to add a bit (and just a bit) more pop here if you so desired but wonderful as is.Nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on November 25, 2016 at 5:05 PM
A very natural warm fall image. I think this is a fine composition. The water looks natural enough and the scattered leaves on the rocks hold your interest very nicely. 
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on November 25, 2016 at 9:23 PM
Lovely image, Bryan. Well composed with the stream nicely angling down from left to right. Processing looks good to me. Very nice late fall Smokies image. 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 26, 2016 at 9:39 AM
Beautiful fall scene. No suggestions here, looks real nice. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 27, 2016 at 5:35 AM
Marvelous little stream captured perfectly!
very fine work!
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on November 27, 2016 at 5:26 PM
Very nice layering of color between the trees and the leaves with the greens in the middle.  The smooth flow of the water leads one into the image; good shutter speed for the water.  The processing is just right.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on November 27, 2016 at 7:04 PM
It's a beauty, Brian, with some fine action leading my eyes from the bottom to the top of the frame.  I like your ss choice for capturing some of the movement of the water but not washing it out entirely and the golden leaves on the ground and again in the distance have a great glow.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on January 29, 2017 at 5:58 PM
Here is a repost with a slight boost in saturation as well as an increase in overall brightness.
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on April 7, 2018 at 9:28 PM
Here is a reprocessed version.
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments