Guy and some other folks suggested that I consider a crop to the lower portion of the shot and I noticed after I posted it that I had corrected the Astia scan colors well but the overall image came off a bit flat. So back to the drawin' board. After massive contortion of my fingers on the mouse and keyboard, I created some luminosity masks which helped me to separate the tones through the image. This is the cropped result.
I'm following up with a second version in just a moment and would like your feedback, to see if there is a preferred version.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 23, 2008 at 6:22 PM
This is the second version of the full image. I had to set compression to 47 to get the thing under the 200K threshold.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 23, 2008 at 6:25 PM
It was shot on Astia with a Schneider Symmar-S 150/5.6, no filters, front tilt to make the foreground leaves, grass and background aspens sharp.
Posted by Nick Moore on October 23, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Mel, I saw this and commented in ESS. I like the cropped version, it turns it into a completely different image. The emphasis is really now on the leaves, and the reflection becomes more noticeable. Both versions work, but I think I'm leaning to the crop.
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 23, 2008 at 9:23 PM
While I do like the full size version, I think the crop is a bolder image. Have you tried a squarer crop to include just a tad more reflection?
Posted by Brett Deacon on October 23, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Both are good, but I prefer the crop. Actually, I'd like it even better if you cropped another 5-10% off the bottom to eliminate the relatively empty black portion. With this cropped my eyes automatically explore the great interplay between the weeds and the reflection; with it still there my eyes have a hard time staying away from the less interesting dark tones at the bottom.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on October 23, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Go with the crop, nice subject and detail. The far shore and trees don't hold my attention. I love the color in the reeds.
Posted by Don Grall on October 23, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I prefer the cropped version also, great image also!
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on October 24, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Another vote for the cropped version. I really like the colors and the focus on the taller weeds.
Posted by Michael Renner on October 24, 2008 at 12:30 PM
whoa - that cropped version is sweet. Love the subtle reflection of the aspen boles coming in from the top.
Discussion
13 repliesESS Post
Guy and some other folks suggested that I consider a crop to the lower portion of the shot and I noticed after I posted it that I had corrected the Astia scan colors well but the overall image came off a bit flat. So back to the drawin' board. After massive contortion of my fingers on the mouse and keyboard, I created some luminosity masks which helped me to separate the tones through the image. This is the cropped result.
I'm following up with a second version in just a moment and would like your feedback, to see if there is a preferred version.