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Happy Isles II +RP
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Happy Isles II +RP

by Lon Overacker

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 23, 2016323 views12 comments
Thanks so much for the comments on my last post.  Here is another autumn river scenic from Happy Isles.  I've tried for a number of years to include this oak tree in a composition.  And with the scattering of fall color and the high water this year I finally pulled the trigger and worked this composition.

This is another focus stack of 3 images, although a single frame at f/16 and 1s was used for the water. Focus stacking doesn't work too well with moving parts... ;-)

Comments, critique and suggestions welcome!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Lon

edit: addd rework below.  took some suggestions in to consideration. Thanks!

Comments

12 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on December 23, 2016 at 3:33 PM
The spectrum of subtle colors in this view is wonderful, Lon, as is the amazing detail.  The leaning tree angles nicely across the frame.  The water movement looks good also.  This would look great large.  Merry Christmas to you also.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on December 23, 2016 at 3:36 PM
This is an outstanding, well-crafted image. The soft lighting and splashes of color give this a gorgeous, delicate feel. As usual your attention to detail and processing look spot-on. Two thoughts: 1. burn down that one white water streak right below the boulders on the right side, center. 2. if it were mine, I would experiment with cropping a bit off the left so that the leaning tree sweeps from the left edge and the trunk in the upper left is eliminated/minimized. In any event a very fine image. 
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on December 23, 2016 at 8:17 PM
Very nice! I think this is a stand out image from Happy Isles area in my memory. Your "Little Dogwood in the River" image too of course. But with this, it's not any one thing that I notice. But rather the sum of all of it's parts. Like the soft, but very pleasant light. The slanted foreground tree, with the beautiful green moss on it's trunk. The unusually swollen river. The foliage in general. Really nice eye composing this!
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on December 24, 2016 at 12:01 AM
Lovely scene, Lon.  The leaning tree draws me into the scene, while the scattering of fall color leads my eye around the frame.  The movement and texture in the water looks just right.
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on December 24, 2016 at 7:59 AM
Hi Lon,

This will be a gorgeous print.  You may want to darken the white streak on the right, but not a deal breaker if left as is. Large version was fun to look at with thye variety of color and detail. Well done................................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on December 25, 2016 at 6:41 AM
You have an eye for making order out of chaos. A stream bank can be very chaotic, but this image works very well. The tree makes a very nice center of interest, leading line and  on a diagonal as well. Just the right smattering of colors, great light and good shutter speed. This is just a fine image. It makes me want to be there experiencing the scene. 
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on December 26, 2016 at 2:52 PM
The tree definitely draws me in but I would also crop a little bit off the left which I think would make it a tighter composition.  Others have pointed out some white streaks which could be burned in but that is a matter of preference.   But this streak on the far right 1/3 up from the bottom does grab my eye.   Very nice exposure for the water.  You were lucky to have such a still day.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 27, 2016 at 6:22 PM
Lon, What a great looking scene this is. Put me down for it making a beautiful looking print! I like the comp as it is but might also work cropping the left edge just past the tree trunk in the upper L corner. Not sure if that gets you to close to the larger tree but it might work. The water motion, color and details look wonderful. I like this one very much!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on December 27, 2016 at 9:04 PM
Very nice, Lon. The tree has lots of character. Put me in the camp that favors cropping the left to just eliminate the tree trunk in the ulc.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 27, 2016 at 9:39 PM
Thank you for your comments and suggestions, especially over the holidays!  I decided to rework this after the consensous seems to be to lose the left edge a little.  A combination of a crop and some sloppy content-aware cloning, I got rid of the tree cutting the corner.  I also mitigated the bright white water on the lower right.

If you get a chance, let me know if this is an improvement.

Thanks for the suggestions!
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on December 28, 2016 at 6:54 AM
I much prefer the repost, Lon. I can see tell tale signs of cloning, but only because I can see the original. Nice work.  
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on December 28, 2016 at 8:42 PM
Lon, Just saw this. I also much prefer the repost!
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments