One more image from the sprague lake area from 24 Jan. sunrise. Yes, the image looks at the world with rose-colored glasses (but not completely as the sky away from the pink clouds is a nice blue). I did slightly bump the saturation up in the sky/clouds and dodged the log in the foreground to help it stand out against the trees. Both were minor bumps. Otherwise, I did a levels adjustment and some sharpening. (For those not following the other threads, this pink hue is not a color balance issue.)
C&C are welcome. Curious about your thoughts on composition and how I could do better at this location/time.
S
Posted by Stan Rose on January 25, 2009 at 8:43 PM
I always see the world through Rose-colored glasses (at least when im not wearing my contacts )
I think the color is what makes the shot interesting and cool. As for the comp, I think it's OK, but not remendously engaging. The tree on the left is a bit distracting. I like the log, but it might have worked better getting down closer to provide a greater sense of depth. It also looks as though there might have been a little bit of clear ice further back, not sure if it was feasible to try to get some reflections there.
Thanks for the comments. I will keep the lower perspective in mind for next time. And I'll try to crop in on the left a little more. Wanted to keep the logs starting from the edges on the thirds so maybe I need to clone it out...
The clear is back in the photo is out a ways and I had knelt on the ice earlier and found the ice was very soft. No way was I going to walk out on it. Maybe in a week or two I can try walking out on it (if winter arrives).
S
Posted by Stan Rose on January 26, 2009 at 2:17 AM
Yeah, i figured that (about the ice). I think id clone out the tree. Looks like winter is back for a couple days for us out on the Plains!
Posted by Nick Moore on January 26, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Steve, you guys certainly got some funky lighting up there - I like the pink glow alot though!. I think you did well with your composition, Sprague lake is tough in the winter when it's frozen over to find good fg anchors, similar situation at Bear Lake too. My only nit would be to crop from the left so branches of the tree aren't in the frame!.
Sorry I couldn't join you guys, Bill and I had arranged to shoot some wildlife that morning!. I may try and shoot up to RMNP for sunrise this weekend, or the next - let me know if you're game for another trip up!.
Posted by Steven Peckham on January 26, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Nick,
Thanks for the comments. That's two against the tree on the left frame so I will have to have it "disappeared".
I agree that the lake is tough in the winter. For me it is tough any time of year. I went for the log as it wasn't taken by others in the group and it was directing towards the blue sky and the branches were in a similar direction to the mountains (twin sisters?). I like Stan's suggestion of trying to get lower next time and add depth. I was in a hurry though and didn't want the branch to end up breaking the horizon. Perhaps I was wrong in my judgement and I need to try again.
I am game for another trip. I am not sure about Saturday and next week is definitely out.
S
Posted by Nick Moore on January 26, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Just let me know when you have a free Saturday/Sunday morning and we'll plan something ;).
Posted by James H Egbert on January 26, 2009 at 12:58 PM
IImages such as this make me miss the ability I used to have to drop things, and just go out shooting for fun. Last time I was at Sprague Lake in the winter on the far Eastern shore, there were some great boulders and logs that made great bottom third anchors and leading lines.
The boulders are still there. You will see them as little dots at the edge of the ice and above the far tip of the tree. I was heading for that spot and was going to shoot back towards the west if the conditions allowed, but we had to shoot towards the rising sun to keep the snow from building-up on the lense at times and to get interesting light. This was something different for me to consider and I was forced to think and compose fast as the pink color came quickly. I guess I need more training/understanding/experience so that I don't have to think and just react. Thus, I am asking questions and seeking C&C.
Discussion
8 repliesC&C are welcome. Curious about your thoughts on composition and how I could do better at this location/time.
S
I think the color is what makes the shot interesting and cool. As for the comp, I think it's OK, but not remendously engaging. The tree on the left is a bit distracting. I like the log, but it might have worked better getting down closer to provide a greater sense of depth. It also looks as though there might have been a little bit of clear ice further back, not sure if it was feasible to try to get some reflections there.
Stan,
Thanks for the comments. I will keep the lower perspective in mind for next time. And I'll try to crop in on the left a little more. Wanted to keep the logs starting from the edges on the thirds so maybe I need to clone it out...
The clear is back in the photo is out a ways and I had knelt on the ice earlier and found the ice was very soft. No way was I going to walk out on it. Maybe in a week or two I can try walking out on it (if winter arrives).
S
Sorry I couldn't join you guys, Bill and I had arranged to shoot some wildlife that morning!. I may try and shoot up to RMNP for sunrise this weekend, or the next - let me know if you're game for another trip up!.
Nick,
Thanks for the comments. That's two against the tree on the left frame so I will have to have it "disappeared".
I agree that the lake is tough in the winter. For me it is tough any time of year. I went for the log as it wasn't taken by others in the group and it was directing towards the blue sky and the branches were in a similar direction to the mountains (twin sisters?). I like Stan's suggestion of trying to get lower next time and add depth. I was in a hurry though and didn't want the branch to end up breaking the horizon. Perhaps I was wrong in my judgement and I need to try again.
I am game for another trip. I am not sure about Saturday and next week is definitely out.
S
James,
The boulders are still there. You will see them as little dots at the edge of the ice and above the far tip of the tree. I was heading for that spot and was going to shoot back towards the west if the conditions allowed, but we had to shoot towards the rising sun to keep the snow from building-up on the lense at times and to get interesting light. This was something different for me to consider and I was forced to think and compose fast as the pink color came quickly. I guess I need more training/understanding/experience so that I don't have to think and just react. Thus, I am asking questions and seeking C&C.
S