Posted by John Higby on August 10, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Recently on a short trip that included shooting a few Lane county Covered Bridges, I crossed this little scene. I think the shot worked out pretty well ! I've just submitted it to the Lane County Fair & think it might do well at a local frame shop.
I'd appreciate some basic comments regarding it's strengths & weaknesses.
cheers, john
Posted by Kosta Koeman on August 11, 2008 at 3:43 PM
John,
After 109 views on a topic where you specifically requested feedback, here I come!
Overall, I think it is a nice image: nice light, details (though I would like to compare against burning in some areas). The negatives are items out of your control. I really don't like the bush on the right, nor the tree on the left.
I like the concept of what you were doing with this image, but I don't know about doing an enlargement. However, there is a certain "feel" about it that I really do like. That is quite a vague statement, but I hope my comments are helpful.
Posted by Sean Bagshaw on August 11, 2008 at 4:57 PM
The light and color in the sky is great and I enjoy the leading lines and the subject matter. I agree with Kosta that the tree and bush cramp the scene, but that is beyond your control. The available light for the FG leaves it feeling a bit muddy. I like it, but I would have to see a larger version to determine if the strengths overcome the weaknesses for my taste.
Posted by Chip Phillips on August 11, 2008 at 6:49 PM
I agree with the previous two critiques so far I think. Beautiful light! I might try bumping up the light in the foreground a little and see what you get...
Posted by John Higby on August 11, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Thanks for these 1st 3 comments !
The Image does have a 'Mood' about it. I guess I didn't think too much about the bush & tree as they were limitations in the shooting zone. I can easily see how the image would expand without them. I do though like the framing on the left.
I have filled in the FG in LR to some extent. I felt that more light would look, funny.
I'll adjust it a little more & post it to see the difference.
Posted by John Higby on August 13, 2008 at 1:09 AM
Here is an adjusted FG version. I've previously stayed away from Dodging, but gave it a go here. Just like old times in the darkroom ! ;-)
Posted by Adrian Klein on August 13, 2008 at 11:41 PM
John, the sky is right up there with some of the great ones. Unfortunately I can't say the comp is working so well. The bush on the right as mentioned already is not adding to the image. The FG still seems a tad too dark on the repost. Not sure if you shot multiple exposures with this exact same comp but if you did you may need to blend them to get the final image you want. Or a GND of 2 stops at an angle woudl have helped to lighten up the FG as well. I hope this helps. Keep at it, this looks like a nice place to be at!
Hi, John–
My take on this is a little different than the others. I like the mood of the original post. And I also like the comp. I think that the framing created by the two trees creates some symmetry and a nice intimate feel. having flowers that match the sunset sky is great! Imho, I might try selective area burning and dodging of the fg flowers and bushes to bump the contrast there just a bit. Maybe that would "pop" the fg a little without losing the overall sunset color and mood? I think this is well worth "fiddling" a little more in the darkroom.
Hi, John–
My take on this is a little different than the others. I like the mood of the original post. And I also like the comp. I think that the framing created by the two trees creates some symmetry and a nice intimate feel. having flowers that match the sunset sky is great! Imho, I might try selective area burning and dodging of the fg flowers and bushes to bump the contrast there just a bit. Maybe that would "pop" the fg a little without losing the overall sunset color and mood? I think this is well worth "fiddling" a little more in the darkroom.
Discussion
8 repliesI'd appreciate some basic comments regarding it's strengths & weaknesses.
cheers, john
After 109 views on a topic where you specifically requested feedback, here I come!
Overall, I think it is a nice image: nice light, details (though I would like to compare against burning in some areas). The negatives are items out of your control. I really don't like the bush on the right, nor the tree on the left.
I like the concept of what you were doing with this image, but I don't know about doing an enlargement. However, there is a certain "feel" about it that I really do like. That is quite a vague statement, but I hope my comments are helpful.
The Image does have a 'Mood' about it. I guess I didn't think too much about the bush & tree as they were limitations in the shooting zone. I can easily see how the image would expand without them. I do though like the framing on the left.
I have filled in the FG in LR to some extent. I felt that more light would look, funny.
I'll adjust it a little more & post it to see the difference.
My take on this is a little different than the others. I like the mood of the original post. And I also like the comp. I think that the framing created by the two trees creates some symmetry and a nice intimate feel. having flowers that match the sunset sky is great! Imho, I might try selective area burning and dodging of the fg flowers and bushes to bump the contrast there just a bit. Maybe that would "pop" the fg a little without losing the overall sunset color and mood? I think this is well worth "fiddling" a little more in the darkroom.
My take on this is a little different than the others. I like the mood of the original post. And I also like the comp. I think that the framing created by the two trees creates some symmetry and a nice intimate feel. having flowers that match the sunset sky is great! Imho, I might try selective area burning and dodging of the fg flowers and bushes to bump the contrast there just a bit. Maybe that would "pop" the fg a little without losing the overall sunset color and mood? I think this is well worth "fiddling" a little more in the darkroom.