Posted by Bryan Swan on October 16, 2007 at 3:33 AM
Overlooking a semi colorful sunset above Dragontail Peak in the Alpine Lakes, WA.
Especially curious to get feedback about the discoloration. I looked at this in the camera and I had a more negative reaction, causing me to fire off dozens more until I was satisfied, but when I started doing some processing last night, this one just stopped me dead in my tracks because I'd never seen anything like this before.
The sky is dark right down the middle from a polarizer artifact in an effort to maximize the reflection in the lake. I could just as easily remove it, but I really like the contrast it creates between the two sides of the cloud formation, sort of like an artificial shadow being cast over the peak.
The water is what I'm especially curious about. The lake has an intense green color (more evident in the trees on the far side) and a muddy bottom, so there is a bit of a natural brown hue in the shallows, but this part is rather deep, so it doesn't really play a factor. I stacked 2 Lee GNDs for this shot, and the orange hue was a bit visible there, but the funny thing is the lake wasn't beneath the shaded part of the filters at all. I can't believe there would be THAT much of a color to the filters, since I've never seen anything that strong before (I have seen the orange show up subtlety), especially given the reputation of the Lee products. Anyone have any insight on why that might occur?
In the end, I really like the result. The color contrasts beautifully in my eyes and creates something you'd not normally see.
Thoughts?...and thanks for looking.
Posted by Mark Hudon on October 16, 2007 at 11:51 AM
What? Were you out with Trevor? That's the same peak isn't it?
As far as the different colors in the sky and lake are concerned, I'd have to say that it's a bit too different for me. As an average everyday viewer I'm not supposed to take the GND into consideration. I'd be looking at thinking, "hmmm... something's wrong here."
All in all, the shot is great, I'm fix the color mix up though.
Posted by Sean Bagshaw on October 16, 2007 at 12:12 PM
I'm in with Mark. It sounds like the sky color is more true to the scene, but I actually perfer the colors in the reflection. Or perhaps it is just the fact that the reflection holds more color around the ridgeline of the peak that makes it more appealing? Beautiful and well composed image, but the different colors do cause a distraction for me.
Posted by Erik Lundh on October 16, 2007 at 2:40 PM
That reflection is really nice though it does have a green color cast. I would match the reflection color wise with the upper part of the image. Then I think you will have an awesome image.
Posted by Rick Lamb on October 16, 2007 at 7:49 PM
It's an image that had me wondering just HOW this happened Bryan. And I think it is more a function of the water/lake than the GND's.
This is a VERY trippy image and I find it appealing - in a groovy kind of way!! So I guess it boils down to what were YOUR intentions as the artist versus my fully opinionated view.
Posted by Bryan Swan on October 16, 2007 at 10:08 PM
Mark, yeah Trevor and I shoot together all the time.
Rick - I'm not at all convinced it was a function of the lake, because I have plenty of other shots where this didn't happen, I have a few shots from earlier in the day along the Wenatchee River where I noticed a subtle orange tint in one corner on reflected water, and I had this happen to me earlier in the year up near Baker. I think it has to do with the polarizer being turned to maximize the reflection more than anything else, but I still don't know why. I was planning on doing some tests this week, but then some @#%^# tweeker broke into my apartment yesterday and stole my backpack containing almost ALL of my gear.
Posted by Erik Lundh on October 16, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Bryan,
I'm really sorry to hear about your gear. That is a shame and it makes me angry. I hope you will be back in the saddle soon.
Posted by Bryan Swan on October 17, 2007 at 12:12 AM
Calling Safeco tomorrow. I've got a hefty deductible on my policy which I need to change, so best case scenario, I'm gonna be out about a grand of my own money. But hopefully I'll be back in business within 3 weeks.
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on October 17, 2007 at 12:47 AM
Whoa, dude I'm sorry to hear about the loss. Nothing worse than the feeling of someone breaking into your home and taking your s**t !! I lost a 900.00 bike to a lose that broke into my garage 2 years ago and we still feel messed up at times since that has happened to us. I hope you reported lenses and serial numbers to the authorities and I would also suggest making a list and getting it to 2nd hand stores in the area.... anything to try to catch the loser.
About the shot - it seems off somehow and bothers me a bit. I'd be interested to see one of the other shots that you took after this one from the same spot. How different is it ? Chances are, we would all suggest using the normal one since this looks cross processed somehow.
Posted by John Williams on October 17, 2007 at 1:18 AM
I too have lost a nice mountain bike from my garage, but I think I'd be a lot angrier if it was my camera stuff. , sorry Bryan!
Discussion
9 repliesEspecially curious to get feedback about the discoloration. I looked at this in the camera and I had a more negative reaction, causing me to fire off dozens more until I was satisfied, but when I started doing some processing last night, this one just stopped me dead in my tracks because I'd never seen anything like this before.
The sky is dark right down the middle from a polarizer artifact in an effort to maximize the reflection in the lake. I could just as easily remove it, but I really like the contrast it creates between the two sides of the cloud formation, sort of like an artificial shadow being cast over the peak.
The water is what I'm especially curious about. The lake has an intense green color (more evident in the trees on the far side) and a muddy bottom, so there is a bit of a natural brown hue in the shallows, but this part is rather deep, so it doesn't really play a factor. I stacked 2 Lee GNDs for this shot, and the orange hue was a bit visible there, but the funny thing is the lake wasn't beneath the shaded part of the filters at all. I can't believe there would be THAT much of a color to the filters, since I've never seen anything that strong before (I have seen the orange show up subtlety), especially given the reputation of the Lee products. Anyone have any insight on why that might occur?
In the end, I really like the result. The color contrasts beautifully in my eyes and creates something you'd not normally see.
Thoughts?...and thanks for looking.
As far as the different colors in the sky and lake are concerned, I'd have to say that it's a bit too different for me. As an average everyday viewer I'm not supposed to take the GND into consideration. I'd be looking at thinking, "hmmm... something's wrong here."
All in all, the shot is great, I'm fix the color mix up though.
This is a VERY trippy image and I find it appealing - in a groovy kind of way!! So I guess it boils down to what were YOUR intentions as the artist versus my fully opinionated view.
Rick - I'm not at all convinced it was a function of the lake, because I have plenty of other shots where this didn't happen, I have a few shots from earlier in the day along the Wenatchee River where I noticed a subtle orange tint in one corner on reflected water, and I had this happen to me earlier in the year up near Baker. I think it has to do with the polarizer being turned to maximize the reflection more than anything else, but I still don't know why. I was planning on doing some tests this week, but then some @#%^# tweeker broke into my apartment yesterday and stole my backpack containing almost ALL of my gear.
I'm really sorry to hear about your gear. That is a shame and it makes me angry. I hope you will be back in the saddle soon.
About the shot - it seems off somehow and bothers me a bit. I'd be interested to see one of the other shots that you took after this one from the same spot. How different is it ? Chances are, we would all suggest using the normal one since this looks cross processed somehow.
I have to agree with the "it seems off" crowd.