Inspired by Kendall's latest post, I thought I'd upload a couple of images that I shot last October at Lake Redstone in Sauk County, Wisconsin. Same camera, lens, aperture ISO and focal length for both shots, but one is a couple of stops faster (i.e. shutter speed) than the other (it'll be obvious which is which). C&C welcome; please let me know if you prefer one version over the other. Thanks.
Posted by Brian Vance on March 28, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Wow, these are unique images. Well seen! I like them both, but the second one has a lovely golden sheen to it that is captivating, and has enough detail to identify it as a lake bottom, yet retains enough mystery to draw the viewer in for an extended look. I still don't know exactly what is going on to make the diagonal stripe, but I can't take my eye off of it none the less. Great color palette to boot, and very effective composition.
Very nice reflections. I prefer the second version simply because it accents the strengths of the original. Nice job retaining clarity in the non-reflective areas, it really anchors the image nicely.
Posted by Mitch Erwin on March 28, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Kerry, both of these are really nice in there own way. In both, what draws me the most is the leaves & rocks showing through under the reflection of the trunk. The second is my fave of the two as I prefer the smoothness of the gold color with the hint of blue included. I would clone out the rock / leaf sticking out of the water on the RHS as it detracts somewhat. Both are great, just different tastes for all!
I'm glad I posted mine if that is what it took to get to see these. They are both great I think I would go for the first one, I think it's the sharper surfac. Would be nice to have them both larger and hanging on a wall to view side by side.
Very sweet. I like both for different reasons. I don't recall ever seeing the results like you achieved in the second, it always amazes me how much difference shutter speed adjustments make with water images. Beautiful work Kerry.
Posted by Kirk Greene on March 29, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Lovely golden hues in the reflection. The longer shutter speed really made a huge difference and improvement IMO.
Thanks for the comments, everyone; they're much appreciated.
Brian, the brown diagonal is the reflection of a tree trunk amidst a host of golden leaves. The small blue patches you see here and there are bits of sky peeking through.
Posted by Brian Vance on March 31, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Kerry, I get the general concept, which is more obvious in Kendall's shot. But what I'm blown away by in the second image, is how the reflected golds seem to creep into the shadow area so elegantly. Shadows like this usually have a fairly straight, definite edge, but in this image, the reflections seem to be dancing with the shadows, to a glorious effect. I agree with Mitch's clone suggestion, to really put this one over the top. This is gallery material, IMO.
Posted by Chuck Beatty on March 31, 2009 at 2:03 PM
These are both extraordinary images, Kerry. I'm pulled to different aspects of both. I like the first one because of the way the gold surface appears to be breaking up and floating into the shadow space. At the same time, the soft gold of the second is also very appealing. Well seen!
Discussion
11 repliesGood series!
Tim!
Brian, the brown diagonal is the reflection of a tree trunk amidst a host of golden leaves. The small blue patches you see here and there are bits of sky peeking through.