Autumn Mystery

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 19, 20173,319 views9 comments

Thank you all for your comments on my previous image, San Juan Dreamin'. If anyone is interested, I have added a repost to incorporate your suggestions as well as a couple of things that I identified.

This is an image that I took last fall along the Foothills Parkway near GSMNP. This was an incredible morning with the fog adding a lot of mood and some beautiful light to compliment the scene.

This is a blend of 3 different exposures for dynamic range. The base exposure captures everything from the mountains down while the two other exposures were used for parts of the sky. I used luminosity masks for the blending of the exposures and I have to say that the TK v5 actions panel definitely made the exposure blending a lot easier.

Besides the blending, this image was a challenge to process. I struggled with just how much to lighten the foreground as well as how much contrast to add in the foreground. Due to the fog and low light the foreground was inherently low contrast. In my previous posts from this location I had left the foreground too dark. I think I have it close, but I would really like input on the blend and overall dynamic range. I am striving for a natural appearance with the blend.

As always all comments and critiques are welcome. crying

Capture Info:
66 mm
f/11 @ 1/8, 1/15 and 1/40 sec.
ISO 100

Processing Info:
RAW Processing in Lightroom
Exposure blend using luminosity masks
Clone layer to remove contrails - I'm always amazed at what that spot healing brush can do!
Dodging and burning layers
TK's luminosity masks to target contrast for midtones, lights and darks
TK's focused vibrance mask
Cropped from full frame

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 20, 2017 at 2:43 AM

Wonderful image Brian. The layers and foreground lighting work well for me.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 20, 2017 at 12:39 PM

Brian,

I think you've totally succeeded in your goals for this image. Great job with the processing. Given the time of day, foggy conditions, etc., I think the exposure of the foreground trees is spot on; not too dark, not too light, just right.

Not sure if anyone else sees this, but I'll mention anyway. Just above the grouping of trees in the lower left there is some space before the next distant grouping of trees. The fog that separates them has a more magenta/reddish cast where most of the rest of the foggy atmosphere leans blue/cyan. I don't think it's an issue, but simply an observation.

What a beautiful and grand scene you got to experience and capture.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on August 20, 2017 at 2:16 PM

There is a delicate sense to this image that i like very much. However, the llc trees do not conform to this feeling and draw you into that corner which is dark and poorly defined. I would try to lighten that area and add local contrast as much as possible.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on August 20, 2017 at 3:27 PM

I really like the moodiness of this--it is very mellow. You did an excellent job on the processing, but I do agree with Igor regarding the lower left corner. The fog and the sky look great!
--P

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on August 20, 2017 at 6:52 PM

Super image, Brian. The processing looks spot on to me. Technically and artistically well executed. Very nice.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on August 20, 2017 at 7:28 PM

Very nice, Brian. The fog provides excellent mood. Excellent processing work to bring out the color and detail in the foreground trees. Excellent overall.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on August 20, 2017 at 7:36 PM

Sweet mood you captured here, Ryan. The fog sets the table for the sunrise which is accentuated with the autumn colors. Great job with the processing as everything looks very natural to me. I really like what you put together here.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on August 22, 2017 at 10:45 AM

A striking image. I love how things fade both front to back and left to right. The fog creates a nice mood and ties everything together well.

Your photographs are always a joy to study.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on November 18, 2017 at 8:10 PM

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