Aspen Greens... added rework

... for lack of a better title. But I was intriqued by the greenness of these aspen trunks as well as the sea of dark green reeds or whatever they are, covering the forest floor. The wild mountian rose provided some nice fall color to complete the scene.

This was one of the first images captured on that weekend gathering in Lee Vining. I was with Paul B. and Preston when I spied this scene. I'd be curious to hear from folks if this works for you.

Chamonix 4x5, Fujinon 135mm, V100f

Thanks!

Lon

Lon, I do like how you placed the middleground trees against the background trees. The yellow in the fg helps but maybe a little bit in the background or maybe not. I'm not sure on this one. Maybe it's lacking something, tough one or it could just be me.

I like it Lon, the green grasses, the arrangement of the trees and the hint of yellow in the fg, I'd like to see a little more contrast though, give it a little more punch, well done

I like it Lon. Can you do 1200 pixels here or just in the main photo forums. I think this would look great larger.

- Dan.

I like this, Lon. It speaks to the quiet of the forest. I agree that a touch more contrast would be nice. I believe the reeds are ephedra. The wild rose adds a nice touch of color.

-P

Hey, I know this site . Lon, it was fun watching you working with the controls on your new camera right at this spot. Obviously the results came out wonderful here on this scene. I sure wish we had some more time at this site, I really liked those old reeds sticking up in the open forest floor.
Maybe on this one, as suggested just a very slight boost in Sat/Contrast. But, that can be very subjective as we already know from monitor to monitor, or to an old set of eyes like mine.

I am on the fence about this one. It is tough to tell on my work monitor, though. You might consider a bit of burning of the background trees in the middle to give a little more separation from the front ones, maybe add a little more highlight or white to the front ones?

Nice! What works for me here is the unusual grouping of tall and straight trees. Very hard to find in California. The the range of tonalities is short, producing a pleasant and easy to look at image. Avoid the calls for contrast! And, I'm sure this was an pleasant light to meter and capture, as it's probably only 3-4 stops range. Good find. Next time, take me with you, please.

Lon, I really like the way trees are placed in a V shape giving great depth. I like it, contrast increase might attract eye towards highlights in the background, between the trees. so, for me as is looks great!!

Great find !!

Thanks, Murali

Lon,

I considered several comps among those green aspens and reeds, but nothing struck a chord. This however works nicely. I love the placement of all the trees. I do think it is a bit flat and could use a small contrast boost.

Very nice lon. There seems to be a lack of contrast in the processing.

Thanks everyone for feedback on this one. I really appreciate it too and despite what seems like a consensus and working on this quite a bit now, I'm not sure that more contrast and saturation really helps. I'll offer this rendition which isn't that much different and even borders on unreal saturation - at least from my "mental" memory of being there. But I guess this would be a good example of how we each would interpret scenes both in terms of physically seeing it, and then how one thinks it should be displayed afterwards. Anyway, thanks again. Is this one any different?

Lon

You're going to hate me. For I like the added sat and contrast to the fg in the second version, but I like the light and tonal values of the trunks and distant foliage in the first. Just thought I'd stop by and stir the pot. I like the overall balance of the image and think the arrangement is well thought out.

I think this is a big improvement. I like it far better.

I would contend that how you remember it does not bear on how you present it. I am working my way through "The Negative", St. Ansel. His whole premise is based on presenting in the best way, not the best rendition of reality, as you state.

Lon,
The re-post is a nice improvement. I might like to see even a little more contrast, but the lines in this composition is very striking. The greens have a real forest feel to it. Well done.

From the jpegs here, I can't say which is better. I would go with your gut. Which do you like better.

- Dan .