Posted by Michael Sayles on September 24, 2006 at 4:44 PM
These three standing stones are the most impressive of the many which are to be found in a small area of Machrie Moor on the Isle of Arran. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the central stone is around 18 feet tall.
This was taken one evening a couple of weeks ago, shortly before sunset. I thought about cloning out the white stone to the right of the image, but this is actually a half-finished mill-stone (the mason obviously got fed up and left it there!), and it is mentioned in guide books. As it is part of the location, I decided to keep it there.
This image is a stitched panoramic, composed of 5 separate full-frame shots. Exposure was taken from the rocks - this was locked for the two shots either side (if that makes sense!).
Beautiful, one to be proud of, sharp and I love the central stones shadow leading the eye to the mountain in the distance, only spoiler is the shadow bottom right (not the 'tog I hope?)
Posted by Michael Sayles on September 24, 2006 at 4:54 PM
"only spoiler is the shadow bottom right (not the 'tog I hope?) "
I know what you mean! It's not me though - it was a clump of grass causing the shadow- due to the low sun the shadows were quite long, which made picking a viewpoint quite awkward!
Cheers for the comments!
Michael S
Posted by Alan Bryant on September 24, 2006 at 5:32 PM
I'm not really sure about having the "rocks" central ?.
I would of had the stones on the left hand side, because the shadows will lead the eye off to the background.
I know what you mean! It's not me though.... Honest guv!!!
I'm not really sure about having the "rocks" central ?.
I would of had the stones on the left hand side, because the shadows will lead the eye off to the background.
perhaps a crop just on the "y" in sayles would top it michael
I personally think the 'central rocks' work very well in this to me it gives a kind of balance as the lhs rock is bigger than the rhs rock but the rhs distant hill is bigger than the lhs giving the balance (to me at least) I like it
Terry
Posted by Malcolm Muir on September 25, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Beautiful Michael
Malcolm
Posted by David Kjaer on September 25, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Beautiful - minor tweaks I would have made, rocks a little central and remove shadow BR. That said still a beauty!
David
Posted by Michael Sayles on September 25, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Thanks for the comments and suggestions folks.
With regard to the central positioning of the rocks, this decision was made in order to try and emphasise the location of the stones. They are placed on a wild, bleak and open moor (the site is around a 1 mile walk from the nearest road), and I decided the best way to portray this was by showing them surrounded on both sides by open countryside, with the mountains in the distance - particularly in a panoramic format.
Having said that, I do like the idea of having the stones placed to the left with the shadows leading off to the right, so I think I shall make a further image, cropping as suggested. I might also see what I can do with the shadow created by the clump of grass.
Many thanks again for the comments - useful feedback as ever from the UKNP guys!
Michael S
Posted by Alan Woolnough on September 25, 2006 at 1:36 PM
Looks great to me Michael
Although you could vary the framing/positioning of the rocks in this image, i personally prefer your chosen option. Definately a strong enough prime subject to be positioned dead central {in my view}, and the lighting/mood suits these mystical type subjects.
great job on the stitching.
Like it a lot!!
Alan
Posted by Danny Green on September 25, 2006 at 2:56 PM
Hello Michael
Great shot, works for me I can see where others are coming from but still good as is.
Danny
Posted by David S on September 26, 2006 at 3:56 AM
Hi Micheal
Works for me too. The cloud formation seems to me to emphasise the compostion and draws my eye to the rocks.
Discussion
11 repliesThis was taken one evening a couple of weeks ago, shortly before sunset. I thought about cloning out the white stone to the right of the image, but this is actually a half-finished mill-stone (the mason obviously got fed up and left it there!), and it is mentioned in guide books. As it is part of the location, I decided to keep it there.
This image is a stitched panoramic, composed of 5 separate full-frame shots. Exposure was taken from the rocks - this was locked for the two shots either side (if that makes sense!).
Cheers,
Michael S
I know what you mean! It's not me though - it was a clump of grass causing the shadow- due to the low sun the shadows were quite long, which made picking a viewpoint quite awkward!
Cheers for the comments!
Michael S
I would of had the stones on the left hand side, because the shadows will lead the eye off to the background.
I like the lighting on the stones tho
I'm not really sure about having the "rocks" central ?.
I would of had the stones on the left hand side, because the shadows will lead the eye off to the background.
perhaps a crop just on the "y" in sayles would top it michael
Terry
Malcolm
David
With regard to the central positioning of the rocks, this decision was made in order to try and emphasise the location of the stones. They are placed on a wild, bleak and open moor (the site is around a 1 mile walk from the nearest road), and I decided the best way to portray this was by showing them surrounded on both sides by open countryside, with the mountains in the distance - particularly in a panoramic format.
Having said that, I do like the idea of having the stones placed to the left with the shadows leading off to the right, so I think I shall make a further image, cropping as suggested. I might also see what I can do with the shadow created by the clump of grass.
Many thanks again for the comments - useful feedback as ever from the UKNP guys!
Michael S
Although you could vary the framing/positioning of the rocks in this image, i personally prefer your chosen option. Definately a strong enough prime subject to be positioned dead central {in my view}, and the lighting/mood suits these mystical type subjects.
great job on the stitching.
Like it a lot!!
Alan
Great shot, works for me I can see where others are coming from but still good as is.
Danny
Works for me too. The cloud formation seems to me to emphasise the compostion and draws my eye to the rocks.
Regards
David