Sieur de Monts + repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 20, 20176,405 views20 comments

Nikon D800
Nikon 17-35 @ 30mm
f 20 @ 1/30 sec.
ISO 800
cable release & tripod
Acadia NP, ME

Here is another image in my continuing series of places less traveled in Acadia. The parking area for Sieur de Monts usually gets full, but most folks are heading to the Wild Gardens of Acadia. If you want to get away from the crowds just take a hike down Jessup Path which takes you through a lovely birch grove nestled among the assorted hardwoods and evergreens. I always struggle with these woodland scenes, but I think I came close to capturing an image I have had in my mind for the last couple of years. I would have liked a few more birch, but there is always next year. cool

I have posted a B&W version which I also like so I would appreciate your thoughts if you prefer one over the other.

I hope everyone has a joyous and safe holiday.

Ed

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 20, 2017 at 10:12 PM

Here is the B&W version.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 20, 2017 at 10:41 PM

Ed, the B&W works well, but I love the lush green warmth. The grassy blanket really carries my eye through the scene. Excellent comp and techs.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on December 20, 2017 at 10:46 PM

Oh, I really like this image, Ed. I'm responding to this emotionally which is a sure sign that this is reaching me. Perhaps it's because I saw the colored one first, but the b&w doesn't elicit the same response. The comp almost invites you to step in and walk through that grass. So many memories. As a youngster joyfully running through it. Then later picnicking. Still later slowly foraging for mushrooms. An image with a high emotional quotient value. Even the presence of that white birch can be overlooked (it would be better without it). Yes, good landscapes take time to develop as they work their way out from within. Everyone is trying to hit a home run.

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

Comment posted by Paula LeVay on December 20, 2017 at 11:08 PM

Ed, I feel like I am standing in tall grass ready to explore the woodlands when I look at your image. I especially like the soft green tones and the grouping of mushrooms growing on tree trunks located on the right side. If it were my photo, I would consider cloning out the small white aspen branch on the upper left edge. Although I really like both the color and the B&W version, it think the B&W brings out more interesting detail in the tall grass.

Registered on July 29, 2016, 66 Posts, 270 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on December 20, 2017 at 11:33 PM

THe B & W is astonishing, just frozen movement in an almost violent fashion...
The color has a tranquil feel, completely different.
I think the color version could get a cooler cast.
Either version excellent.

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on December 21, 2017 at 5:31 AM

I do like the colour definitely over the monochrome because I love those shades of green and yellow. The gentle nests of grass make this a really sweet image to look at.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on December 21, 2017 at 7:43 AM

The image feels overly yellow maybe the reflected light of the grasses? I prefer the color and the mood it creates, but the BW is very nice as well. Both lack a little contrast, but I think that helps sets the softer mood. The way the grasses on the right are resting looks like an imaginary trail for the eye to follow. Like the splash of color emerging. While at first I thought the large grassy area was too big, I know see it as an invitation into the scene.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 21, 2017 at 9:41 AM

Wonderful post Ed. I vastly prefer the color version because I feel it represents the scene perfectly and has so much more life to it. I absolutely love the abundance of grass and the graceful trees. These can be difficult images to compose and I feel you did an excellent job with this. I do have two minor critiques and/or suggestions. There is a brighter spot at top center where a little light is trying to squeeze into the scene. I would clone that out. That's very minor but it does really attract my eye for whatever reason. My other suggestion would be to increase contrast slightly in order to make the scene "pop" a little more; it appears a wee bit flat as presented, at least on my monitor.

Excellent photography!!
devil

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 21, 2017 at 1:20 PM

The color version gets my vote, Ed. The lush greens and textures of the grass is really inviting. The grouping of the trees in a semi-circle holds the composition together nicely. Well done!
--P

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on December 21, 2017 at 9:24 PM

Normally I might lean bw but the color is more 3d in this case. Lovely soft scene here. Very cool

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 21, 2017 at 9:49 PM

Thanks for your thoughts everyone; always appreciated. Here is a repost addressing your suggestions of a little more contrast, cloning out the intruding birch limb towards the ULC and cloning out the bit of sky toward the center top of the image. Those little subtle changes do help the scene.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on December 21, 2017 at 10:06 PM

I may be in the minority but I prefer the original contrast. I liked the lighter treatment of the scene even though the textures aren't as pronounced. Both color versions are fine, however, because the contrast adjustment is small.

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on December 22, 2017 at 7:02 AM

This is very nice, Ed. I hope prefer the softer original, but my opinion is affecting by my viewing this on my contrasty monitor.

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

Comment posted by Ed McGuirk on December 22, 2017 at 8:29 AM

Ed you have done a nice job with the repost, I prefer it to the original. The grass here is so beautiful, and you have done a great job of emphasizing it in this composition. The waves of grass receding to the birches really draws you into the landscape. And i think the slightly warm processing is perfect for this subject.

Registered on November 29, 2017, 19 Posts, 260 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 22, 2017 at 11:22 AM

Ed,

A wonderful forest scene. I love the grass (go figure) and the spaciousness of the forest is just right. Honestly, I like the airiness of the original - perhaps a compromise in between the two? Or maybe even a little Orton glow might be a nice touch. Not sure what you did to increase the contrast of the repost, but Orton will do that as well.

As presented, I prefer the color version as well. However, I think there is great potential in going b&w. I think it might be worth further developing. I see a bit of a silvery tone in this version and think you could take that even further. Unfortunately, my b&w skills are relegated tweaking sliders in Nik's plugin.

Lovely and fresh scene - beautiful.

Lon

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on December 22, 2017 at 1:03 PM

I like the reposted color version best, Ed. I think the added pop brings out the myriad of detail through out. Beautifully done.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 22, 2017 at 1:29 PM

Repost works for me. I also like the B&W, but the color wins by a nose. Beautifully done!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 23, 2017 at 9:10 AM

Thanks for your feedback everyone; always appreciated.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 23, 2017 at 1:31 PM

Ed, the repost works best for me. I guess we get spoiled as there can be so many versions played out with the PS usage and our own skills, which is a wonderful thing......love this scene.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on December 25, 2017 at 10:24 PM

Having been to this area numerous times with you, I can attest to the fact of how difficult it is to find a pleasing compostion without a lot of distracting elements. I love the inviting grasses, they almost seem to be blowing in the wind. Nice placement of the trees within the frame. It's hard to notice, but I also like how you placed the tree on the right to block out the darker tree behind it. devil

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments