Posted by Sean Bagshaw on March 25, 2007 at 4:04 PM
So, this is my official first post to the NW forum. Thanks for any feedback you might like to share. If you are curious about the "new guy" I just put up some info on the "tell us about yourself" thread. I'd also be glad to have anyone check out my portfolio or my main site at www.outdoorexposurephoto.com.
Last week I drove over to the Steens for a few days. The conditions didn't pan out over there as well as I hoped, but a small storm was clearing out during my drive with lots of ground fog, interesing light and a dusting of snow in the hills. East of Klamath Falls I passed this wetland, which I never thought worth stopping for before. This time, however, the filtered light, thin fog and red, wave shaped willow branches contrasting with the white aspen trunks made me hit the brakes. What insn't visible on the web is the detail in the branches and the fact that every willow branch is strung with a necklace of dew drops. If I had been willing to wade the bog the macro potential would have been awesome. I shot several compositions before the light became too harsh. Some shots favor the willows while others favor the aspens. I may post another to see what folks like more.
Canon 5D, Canon EF 28-135mm at 120mm, f/18 for .8 sec, circular polarizer, Gitzo Tripod, minimal color and contrast work.
I really like it, Sean but was it really that magenta?
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on March 25, 2007 at 9:35 PM
Beautiful and welcome to the forums. Often you'll not get a lot of replies but a lot of lurkers, which sucks. This is a great shot with excellent clarity, color and sharpness. I also am surprised by that red, but I bet it's pretty close to real
Hope to see more from ya, Sean !!
Posted by Erik Lundh on March 25, 2007 at 11:51 PM
Sean,
Welcome and nice first post. Aside from the magenta of the foreground, I think the trees are placed perfectly in the frame.
Posted by Sean Bagshaw on March 26, 2007 at 12:19 AM
Thanks for the warm welcome and valued feedback! I'm really glad to be able to participate in a photo community again. It gets a little isolated down here in southern Oregon.
In response to the red, the direction of the light and water on the branches was ideal for the polarizer. I also made a very minor color bump in the lab color space and then actually brought it back down to 50% because it was too much. The original RAW file isn't much different than this. I have seen a lot of orange and muted red willow brush in the winter, but this was definately the most vibrant.
Wow what a way to make an entry!!! I am loving this stunning color and the well executed contrast of the aspen tree trunks!! My only nit would be to crop up from the bottom about 10% or so. I did the classic "scroll crop" and to my eye it looks a bit more balanced with a bit cropped off the bottom.
Welcme aboard Sean. The red looks a little unusual, but I've seen a bushy shrub tree called "Cornus Alba 'siberica'" that is this color! Never have seen this much of it in one place though.... Anyway, a site like this would be good reason to hit the brakes! Look forward to seeing, and hopefully hearing, more from you on the forums.
Posted by Ned Fenimore on March 26, 2007 at 6:34 PM
Pretty shot! I'd go with the crop suggestion too... welcome..
(1) Welcome aboard Sean!
(2) A word of defense for lurkers.....till my PS skills increase I'm not producing much that belongs on this site, so.....I find myself commenting a lot....which translates to talking all the time and doing nothing....maybe it would be more honest to shut up and lurk?
(3) Had you considered cropping at the bottom, so you end up with a wide rectangle that's about 2/3 trunks and 1/3 branch? Sort of like Rick's 10% suggestion, but more radical....
(4) Excellent first post, keep it coming, I think you'll enjoy the supportive, constructive reviews & guidance you'll get here.
Discussion
8 repliesLast week I drove over to the Steens for a few days. The conditions didn't pan out over there as well as I hoped, but a small storm was clearing out during my drive with lots of ground fog, interesing light and a dusting of snow in the hills. East of Klamath Falls I passed this wetland, which I never thought worth stopping for before. This time, however, the filtered light, thin fog and red, wave shaped willow branches contrasting with the white aspen trunks made me hit the brakes. What insn't visible on the web is the detail in the branches and the fact that every willow branch is strung with a necklace of dew drops. If I had been willing to wade the bog the macro potential would have been awesome. I shot several compositions before the light became too harsh. Some shots favor the willows while others favor the aspens. I may post another to see what folks like more.
Canon 5D, Canon EF 28-135mm at 120mm, f/18 for .8 sec, circular polarizer, Gitzo Tripod, minimal color and contrast work.
Hope to see more from ya, Sean !!
Welcome and nice first post. Aside from the magenta of the foreground, I think the trees are placed perfectly in the frame.
In response to the red, the direction of the light and water on the branches was ideal for the polarizer. I also made a very minor color bump in the lab color space and then actually brought it back down to 50% because it was too much. The original RAW file isn't much different than this. I have seen a lot of orange and muted red willow brush in the winter, but this was definately the most vibrant.
Well done Sean and welcome to the Forum!!!!
(2) A word of defense for lurkers.....till my PS skills increase I'm not producing much that belongs on this site, so.....I find myself commenting a lot....which translates to talking all the time and doing nothing....maybe it would be more honest to shut up and lurk?
(3) Had you considered cropping at the bottom, so you end up with a wide rectangle that's about 2/3 trunks and 1/3 branch? Sort of like Rick's 10% suggestion, but more radical....
(4) Excellent first post, keep it coming, I think you'll enjoy the supportive, constructive reviews & guidance you'll get here.