Sierra Autumn Classic +2

A sweet classic scene indeed. When I first opened it, I thought it might be Aspen campground area. I think cropping out the leaner would ruin the balance and depth of the comp. I might burn the brighter areas of that snag around the exiting edge of it, but I don't advocate a crop. Processing looks spot on, too. Surprised there have not been more comments, but that happens around here sometimes. Real nice image. 

I intended to not read comments or your description before viewing the image and have my own thoughts.

It's a frequently photographed scene in autumn. We just can not have enough aspen tree pictures, whether or not it's wide angle or telephoto. The picture is overall pleasing. One thing I think it can be made better is the dark tree on the right can be cropped out - it adds a bit distraction.

Thanks

SWEET!  I love this. The trees are gorgeous, both in color and detail.  The leaves look a bit depressed in their color but I wasn't there; I was just expecting them to be brighter and perhaps a wee bit more saturated.  I like the leaning tree on the right as it brings a sense of reality to an otherwise "perfect" scene, which we all know doesn't really exist; the dead tree in the grass does the same.  Love the grass.  Actually, I like the grass as much as the trees, and I also love the big boulder. 

As much as I love this, I do have two small nits.  One, I think I would boost the overall brightness and saturation just a bit to add some "spark" to it.  Two, the main point of focus is the tree in the center, which perhaps :centered" the composition a little too much.  Again, I wasn't there, and I know how careful you usually are with your compositions so there may not have been another alternative, but I would rather have that main tree either to the right or left somewhat.  My choice would be left since the leaning tree and boulder would become more prevalent in the scene.  I'm being pretty nitty here because it's a beautiful image as is.

Another great image. I try and make this kind of image and it never works. I like the way the tree in the middle is the apex of a triangle and the trees on each side are the sides and lead the eye back into the image. The tree doesn't bother me because that is part of the scene in this kind of country. I like the crop and composition.

Thanks for the comments and feedback so far!  I can't speak for everyone, but I know I appreciate the chance to improve one of my images.  We don't always have to agree on suggestions, but all suggestions and feedback we can learn from.

Personally, I like the centered bole, as Richard's description of a triangle, helps.  But I see Bill point and so I'll see how a slight crop from the left works.  It still has the narrow format that I'm after here and I wasn't sure about the aspen on the far left that was leaning. Almost like I needed to do some distortion adjustments.

I also brightened the scene overall a little and boosted the fall color - hopefully not too far.  Lastly, did took care of a few bright areas on the right edge as well as some general burning and also dodging of some trunks and areas that didn't look right.

Hopefully this is an improvement!

Thanks again!

You know this by now, but click the image for a larger view and then you can go back and forth with the original.

I like the processing changes, but prefer the original crop. That left side adds a lot of depth to my viewing. Nothing wrong with the new crop, just prefer the original. 

Lon, I know this spot! You did a fine job on the original and with the adjustments to the re-post. I am in the Harley camp as far as the crop--I like the balance of the uncropped version more. The leaning tree on the left adds a nice dynamic.
--P

The color and brightness boost were an improvement. The original composition was stronger without the new crop. The original has almost perfect balance of elements. I can't see a crop that would improve it.

This is beautiful and a very typical scene for the fall in the eastern Sierra. I like the comp of the original and the brightness of the second one. I love the fine grasses in the foreground and the big rock on the right. I am a little undecided about the center tree trunk, but I could get used to it. Lovely work.

I love your repost Lon.  I has more pizzazz the the original.

Thanks folks!  The jury may be still be deliberating, but the consensus is in: crop out, processing change in.  Here's the final repost. Unfortunately I made a few changes AFTER I cropped and re-saved.  But I repeated the same changes in the original crop. (BTW, this is a crop of the original frame as well, which had a log more background granite and brightness.  Right above and beyond this image is the roadway scree from 120/Tioga pass, above and out of frame.)

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions!
 

It looks like #3 has lost some of the preferable brightness and saturation of #2. The leaning tree on the right was never a bother to me.  Preference to the cropping in #1,3

Dang. Thanks Doug, I agree and can see it.  Not sure what happened. Close enough for government work, don't want to suck up any more bandwidth.

I appreciate the help with tweaking this one!

I like the brightness and color level adjustment much better in the 2nd image, and I like the crop better as well, but I am very obviously in the minority there.  The 3rd image actually appears to be identical to the original with the decreased brightness and color.

I like the second post the best, Lon.  I like the brighter feel to this post.  I don't find the leaning Aspen bole to be distracting.  The composition works well and I like the mix of green and gold in the leaves.  Nicely done!

Lon, I'm really enjoying this and the second image is my favorite here. I really like this composition and it is just a wonderful scene. Great looking light and I love the color. The first image crop also works very well and with the bit brighter processing of the second one it would be just as good. The fine detail in this is wonderful and it looks like it would make a beautiful print.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

Thanks again for the comments.  Not sure what's going on with the pop in the last repost.  I do see that the third is not quite as vibrant as the second, but I believe better than the first.  One thing, unless you're clicking on the image and comparing all the larger views.. the posts in the thread continue to display differently than the larger views, IMHO.

Anyway, much appreciated. Time for another image.

Lon

I just love aspen. The way the trees line up reminds me of some of the tree farms around here; great eye Lon.

To answer your questions not much, a little, not really. I do think your crop is better balanced, I'd love to compare a version with the right side trimmed off too. Regardless, I don't think you can go wrong with this one.

Beautiful, Lon. Never tire of aspen images! Wonderfully composed (that leaning tree does not bother me a bit) but I could also see a 2x3 format cropping it out as another version. Those golden wispy grasses make a wonderful anchor. Personal preference but I could see raising the vibrance in the leaves a touch.