To be entirely blunt:there seems to be a lack of a centralized focus here; i.e., it's a bit too busy. I'd tone down the highlights a bit also. The redeeming compliment I can give you is: that I think your general photography skills are above this particular offering.
What I like about this is the overall color (restful) with the splash of brighter green leaves. It looks to me like the brighter leaves are picked up in the in their reflection in the water? The downside to the image, imo, are the limbs of the trees juting into the scene and all the sticks in the fg. Depending on how much (or little) you favor to do in post-processing, if the refelction of the leaf color could be brought out more and the limbs and sticks "pruned" by cloning, it would appear less chaotic and provide a point of interest (a more colorful reflection). Also a good comment by Trevor on reducing the highlights in a curves layer. If you rework this I hope you'll repost. Cheers.
Posted by Janet Bentley on September 8, 2007 at 2:57 PM
AJ,
Brave of you to post a piece with so much action going on. The overall effect is quite soft.
The outstanding points to me are: the beautiful light and texture along the side of the trunk running upward, the lovely color of the water and the stones in the creek. I think if it weren't for the mossy branch that cuts all the way across the creek, and if there were a bit more color saturation in the highlights and mid levels, this could be quite successful.
Looking at this, I can just hear that delightful sound of water splashing along in the creek. Makes me wish I could be there.
Posted by AJ Montgomery on September 8, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Thanks to all three of you for taking the time to honestly critique this photo. I agree with all of your points and really do appreciate you offering them.
Posted by Mark Hudon on September 8, 2007 at 11:53 PM
On my Uinta trip I played around with two and three hard stop grads. I came away thinking that a one stop grad would be quite useful. In this shot, a one stop grad, maybe angled at the far shoreline, would have toned down the brightness in the far side of stream and the top half of the photo, giving it a lot of interest throughout.
I like the calmness and I like the foreground and I think I'd like the whole thing if the colors on top were a little less blown out.
Posted by AJ Montgomery on September 9, 2007 at 9:10 AM
Thanks Mark.
I wasn't going to say this, as I feared that it would sound like an excuse, but this and all of the other photos that I shot of the area were taken handheld without any setup for the capture. I was stolling throught the woods with my wife, daughter and mother-in-law, all of whom would not have put up with me "taking my time" to compose and shoot images.
As for all of your ideas and input, I wanted to take this opportunity to make another effort at PP and see if I could improve this photo as it is. Here is a repost, please let me know if and where I have improved the image and what other ideas you have may have.
Posted by John Williams on September 9, 2007 at 11:27 AM
The new version looks much improved to me in exposure and saturation.
I do agree with Trevor that it is very hard to find a focus that draws me into the picture. This is a common dilemma I find myself in here in PNW forests. The vegetation is so thick and the green so rich that I often have a hard time accurately representing it without overwhelming the photo with either or both.
John
Posted by Janet Bentley on September 10, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Oh yeah, AJ. That reworked version is much nicer. Very impressed that you did this hand held. It it possible to get down along the edge of the water and shoot upstream in this location?
I completely understand not having time when family is along. I get it all the time. "What!?!! You're stopping AGAIN!? You got a shot - let's go now! How long are you gonna take THIS time?" etc., etc.," Good thing I love 'em a lot anyway.
Much improved color in the 2nd version, A.J.! Way to go.
Ack, photographers are such dawdlers on the trail... Sheesh what could they possible see out there that's different only 10 feet from where we just stopped. Sigh... you have my sympathy!
Posted by Erik Lundh on September 10, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Second version is much better. I do feel the foreground is cluttered a bit. Not bad though for being hand held and having the family along. I can hear it now, "daddy hurry up, I want some ice cream.
Posted by AJ Montgomery on September 10, 2007 at 9:51 PM
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your taking the time to comment and share your thoughts.
Discussion
11 repliesBrave of you to post a piece with so much action going on. The overall effect is quite soft.
The outstanding points to me are: the beautiful light and texture along the side of the trunk running upward, the lovely color of the water and the stones in the creek. I think if it weren't for the mossy branch that cuts all the way across the creek, and if there were a bit more color saturation in the highlights and mid levels, this could be quite successful.
Looking at this, I can just hear that delightful sound of water splashing along in the creek. Makes me wish I could be there.
I like the calmness and I like the foreground and I think I'd like the whole thing if the colors on top were a little less blown out.
I wasn't going to say this, as I feared that it would sound like an excuse, but this and all of the other photos that I shot of the area were taken handheld without any setup for the capture. I was stolling throught the woods with my wife, daughter and mother-in-law, all of whom would not have put up with me "taking my time" to compose and shoot images.
As for all of your ideas and input, I wanted to take this opportunity to make another effort at PP and see if I could improve this photo as it is. Here is a repost, please let me know if and where I have improved the image and what other ideas you have may have.
http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Color_Staircase/1D2_4587a.jpg
I do agree with Trevor that it is very hard to find a focus that draws me into the picture. This is a common dilemma I find myself in here in PNW forests. The vegetation is so thick and the green so rich that I often have a hard time accurately representing it without overwhelming the photo with either or both.
John
I completely understand not having time when family is along. I get it all the time. "What!?!! You're stopping AGAIN!? You got a shot - let's go now! How long are you gonna take THIS time?" etc., etc.," Good thing I love 'em a lot anyway.
Ack, photographers are such dawdlers on the trail...