Testing, 1...2...3... (added a bit more contrast - I think)

Haven't done much shooting since Lee Vining, but did manage to hit the local hills around Livermore a couple of weeks ago. This was taken in Morgan Territory regional park north of town. I would like to re-shoot this, but the place was infested with ticks! In the span of 10 minutes or so, I found three of the little bast**ds on me - and these little blood suckers were tiny; no bigger than the width of the lead of a #2 pencil.

I'm lucky to get what I got with this scan as the original was a good 2 stops underexposed. Which is why I'm posting and looking for your opinions. Does this look right? Is it too gawdy, too contrasty? I can't really bring out or balance the shadows because the original is very dark. I think the only saving grace is the yellow/orange fall color isolated in the scene.

I would appreciate your thoughts if this would be worth posting in the ES&S gallery. Feel free to be brutally honest.

Thanks,
Lon

Hi Lon,

The visual complexity offered by this composition really captures my interest. I can see what you were trying to achieve w.r.t. to the shadows. I recommend that the contrast be pushed up some more. You will loose shadow detail in the process but on the plus side there will be more separation of the main branches from the background foliage.

Very nice, Lon. You all should feel very good about having access to sites like this to work in. Seems like the desert is the "highlight" of So Cal shooting options. As the image stands I'm not sure what might improve it to a point of what you are looking for overall. I'm one that has to "poke" at an image in PS to see what makes the changes, good or bad. I really like the composition and can see where you were on that, but I might still do what Anil suggests to see what might take place too. Sort of reminds me of an image I had recently, , I'm sure you recall that one.....

man, that is amazing Lon. This has got to be my favorite image of yours. It is both abstract with the patterns and yet recognizable. I also like how the yellow is framed between the trees. I woudln't change a thing.

The abstract feeling of the image is great, and I love as it is, but I agree that increasing contrast may make it stronger. Very nice.

I tried increasing the contrast. What's interesting is that it looks awfully dark and contrasty in PS, but after "save for the web" and at quality setting of 50 (to make it under 200k) it doesn't come out as contrasty, so I'm not sure this looks much different than the original.

Thanks for the comments.

Lon

I really like the shot. How is that for brutal honesty. However, my work monitor sucks so badly that I can't comment on the fine points of the processing. Hopefully I will have time when I get home to look in on it.

Cool shot! Looks pretty good on my home screen. I like the second better. It has a real abstract painting look to it. I would like to see it bigger, like in a print. Saving at 50 tends to compress the heck out of my posted images and really degrades the look.

Not bad! i like the idea of getting a photo with ultra high frequency details.

The 2nd shot is better as it doesn't have the oversaturated red dots from the leaves. I'd consider pushing the extreme there, and presenting a darker underexposed photo, to make the viewer feel the darkness.

The 2 trees are well balanced in the photo to channel the eyes "into" the frame. The high detail then looses the eyes. Like haensel and gretel.

Of all the creepy crawlers in nature, I hate ticks the most!!! Well come to think of it, mesquitos are a close second!!

this image seems very ominous and I get the feeling of restraint and isolation. very powerful in my opinion. Perhaps a series from this location would be appropriate for this subject/location? the darker/contrastier image may be more appropriate if that is the tone you're trying to convey.