How about a change of pace from the images that I have been posting? Every once in a while I pull out my creative license and go to town.
This is an abstract taken along the Middle Prong of the Little River in the Tremont area of GSMNP on my recent trip in late October.
I like the warm / cool contrast in the water as well as the repeating diagonal lines that reminded me of a tiger's stripes.
As I have stated previously I usually strive for naturally vibrant processing. However, due to the abstract nature of this image I pushed the processing a bit beyond what I ordinarily would. With that said this is a straight reflection shot and all the color is natural and is due to reflected light from the blue sky and some fall color on the hillside.
I would just like to take a moment to say how deeply saddened I am by the destruction caused by the recent fires in the Chimney Tops area which spread to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. The loss of life and property is tragic and the loss of natural resources in areas of GSMNP is devastating.
All comments and critiques are welcome.
Capture Info:
300 mm
f/8 @ 1/80 sec
ISO 1600 (necessary since the river was in shade and I wanted to get sufficient DOF and freeze the movement in the water. I really needed even a bit more DOF, but was hesitant to push the ISO too far).
Processing:
TK's luminosity masks and focused vibrance masks and his "make it glow" secret sauce action.
Comments
9 commentsVery surprised no one has commented yet. ;-( This is a fabulous abstract reflection; love the colors and also the make up the design. I know this will put a bad taste in everyone's mouth... but my impression here is of tiers - ie. like from an open-pit gravel mine? Or maybe a better analogy would be terrace farming in Peru... ;-)
My only minor nit is this seems a bit soft around the edges, but mostly at the bottom. Tough choices on the DOF, aperture, SS and iso. But I think you had a good compromise.
As far as processing goes, this looks terrific. I don't think you pushed too far at all. My philosophy is to make an image look the best it can be, and still remain as natural and believable as possible. It's always tough call and easily gone overboard, but you've hit it just right.
Lon
Being a retired fire fighter, and having been on some of California's big fires where injury, loss of life, and natural and cultural resources were lost, I too grieved for those affected by the fires in the South East.
--P
Ed
btw: Thank you for your comment on "Joshua Tree Swirl". I agree with your comment about the fisheye look. I think I've used that achieved perspective only once or twice in the past. However, like your abstract here after many years of doing "standard" appearing landscapes I've embraced seeking out other looks overall, hence that out of the norm posting from me......
Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.