I made this image this past May, at one of my favorite places. Typically, I tend not to include blank skies in my photographs, but I felt it was necessary in this case to communicate the desired mood. The image was made during pre-dawn light, when the light was inherently blue; I opted not to overcompensate on the color correction, as it would change the feel to much in my opinion. I've walked by this spot a multitude of times, and have never made an image here, but I was compelled to on this occasion due to the conditions and "quiet" light. Thanks for looking!
Technicals: Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 250mm, Fuji Astia 100f, no filters
Paul, it's actually large format (4x5 view camera), my work is about 99% large format film. If the resolution wasn't so blasted good, I'd happily switch to digital in a heartbeat!
Joe, interesting comment regarding HDR. I question as to why you'd see using it here. From my perception, there is no problem with dynamic range, and the values are placed according to how I visualized the scene. Are you saying you'd like to see a more dramatic rendition (heavy sky, more open shadows, etc)? That's kinda what I'm assuming. Personally, I tend to gravitate towards subtlety vs. drama. If the scene isn't inherently dramatic, why force it? Probably one of those "personal vision" things.
As far as HDR goes, my personal taste is that it typically isn't used very well, and at the moment, has some serious shortcomings when compared to manual blending techniques. Regarding Paul's question of using HDR with film; it's generally a problem to get film scans to register well. Theoretically it's possible, but would require a great deal of work...and with questionable results. Furthermore, film scans are significantly different than raw files, and don't let themselves to the same workflow. Tony Kuyper recently posted an image on ES&S that was a 4x5 drum scan, processed with photomatix. While it offers an alternate route to processing, it's still not the same as multishot HDR with a digital camera. Anyhow...sorry to go off on an HDR rant, it's just one of those tools that I frequently see abused.
Hey Joel - nice quiet image. I wish there was one nice focal point, but I'm always a bit hesitant to say something like that because 1) I have a number of images that deliberately don't have a focal point and I want the viewer to explore the frame and 2) I am not sure how I would feel about this image with a large print - possibly would not comment on a focal point. Given those thoughts (worth almost nothing!), I like this....
It's a fine line to walk sometimes...no doubt. It should be mentioned that this image will be displayed as part of a portfolio project of this state park. As such, there will be many other images to help "support" it, so to speak. I'm not sure what the perfect answer is. Perhaps I should just stop taking crap photos!
Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 4, 2008 at 9:38 PM
This is certainly not a "crap" photo, Joel (your words, not mine! )! I like it as is ....sky and all, giving the image a nice mood!
This shot creates a nice relaxed feeling. Joel, I stopped by Banning State Park on my way to the North Shore last week. I think I need some advice on trail selection. I walked the loop trail but it was the wrong time of day. I did have the feeling that I was moving in on your territory. I hope to get back up there in the fall when the leaves are turning.
Sorry for the late reply, I've been out of town for the last week.
CJ - Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Phil - Fun to hear you stopped by the park. Yes, it's definitely my territory. I've shot more there in the past year than anywhere else. It's not the easiest place to photograph, or the most dramatic, but I've grown quite fond of the park, and have made a large number of good images there. You should let me know the next time you're going to be in my neck of the woods.
Discussion
9 repliesTechnicals: Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 250mm, Fuji Astia 100f, no filters
Next time you are there you might want to try it.
I like the image.
Joe, can he do an HDR with film?
Paul, it's actually large format (4x5 view camera), my work is about 99% large format film. If the resolution wasn't so blasted good, I'd happily switch to digital in a heartbeat!
Joe, interesting comment regarding HDR. I question as to why you'd see using it here. From my perception, there is no problem with dynamic range, and the values are placed according to how I visualized the scene. Are you saying you'd like to see a more dramatic rendition (heavy sky, more open shadows, etc)? That's kinda what I'm assuming. Personally, I tend to gravitate towards subtlety vs. drama. If the scene isn't inherently dramatic, why force it? Probably one of those "personal vision" things.
As far as HDR goes, my personal taste is that it typically isn't used very well, and at the moment, has some serious shortcomings when compared to manual blending techniques. Regarding Paul's question of using HDR with film; it's generally a problem to get film scans to register well. Theoretically it's possible, but would require a great deal of work...and with questionable results. Furthermore, film scans are significantly different than raw files, and don't let themselves to the same workflow. Tony Kuyper recently posted an image on ES&S that was a 4x5 drum scan, processed with photomatix. While it offers an alternate route to processing, it's still not the same as multishot HDR with a digital camera. Anyhow...sorry to go off on an HDR rant, it's just one of those tools that I frequently see abused.
Thanks for the thoughts and discussion guys.
CJ
It's a fine line to walk sometimes...no doubt. It should be mentioned that this image will be displayed as part of a portfolio project of this state park. As such, there will be many other images to help "support" it, so to speak. I'm not sure what the perfect answer is. Perhaps I should just stop taking crap photos!
CJ
CJ - Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Phil - Fun to hear you stopped by the park. Yes, it's definitely my territory. I've shot more there in the past year than anywhere else. It's not the easiest place to photograph, or the most dramatic, but I've grown quite fond of the park, and have made a large number of good images there. You should let me know the next time you're going to be in my neck of the woods.