I posted this over at ESS, but thought I'd post it here as well to get some feedback from some fellow Pacific Northwesters.
Took this Saturday during my lunchbreak. Just happened to be working near Twin Falls State Park in North Bend, and had a few minutes to walk up the trail a bit. I came upon this lush scene, it reminded me of something I might see on the OP. No increase in saturation was needed here, that's for sure! Still blows me away how lush and green it really is here, what a special place to live!
Really, really, really tough to compose scene here Joe. The area itself is so beautiful though, it's impossible to resist trying. I've done four hikes in various regions of the Quinault rainforest (olympics) the last few weeks and am doing a long backpack there too pretty soon, for no other reason that the energy of the place is captivating to me. I don't expect much in the way of pictures because it's just so incredibly complex. The pictures don't capture my experience being there well. In all those hikes I've found only one place I'd like to render with the camera, and the light still hasn't been perfect for it yet. It's so tough to do.
In your images here, I prefer the wider view because my eye travels more easily into the background areas - the foreground log catches my eye too much in the tighter one. That might change if you were to brighten up the top areas in that version, however. The lush groundcover here is a real asset.
I agree Marc, usually scenes like this are too tangled and chaotic to portray in images properly, and is much better experienced by just wandering around slowly and immersing yourself in your surroundings. I'm hoping to make some trips to the OP when the kids get out of school! I thought there were enough cohesive elements here to create a good image.
This place is a beautiful and easy hike through some old growth to an overlook of some nice falls that are reached by wooden steps. A great place to introduce visitors to the lushness of our region, IMO.
I also agree about the second version, I prefer the first as well. I agree that the ground cover adds to the shot. If you've ever seen work from the fantasy artist Frank Frazetta, a lot of his paintngs have gnarly, moss covered logs in them, and this scene reminded me of that.
Joe, I too prefer the wider version... I am drawn to the BG looking for what lurks behind the trees. Marc point is well taken. Our brains are not developed enough to see in a photo what we do in real life. Maybe it's just as well.
BOth images are as well done as possible. Really good stuff Damm we are lucky.
Yes we are lucky to live in the PNW! Your images here, Joe, do capture the look of lush growth-- not at all orderly, definitely green and stuffed full of life! It is a challenge to depict our forests in as tantalizing a way as we experience them.
Discussion
6 repliesTook this Saturday during my lunchbreak. Just happened to be working near Twin Falls State Park in North Bend, and had a few minutes to walk up the trail a bit. I came upon this lush scene, it reminded me of something I might see on the OP. No increase in saturation was needed here, that's for sure! Still blows me away how lush and green it really is here, what a special place to live!
F/2.8, 1/240, ISO-400
In your images here, I prefer the wider view because my eye travels more easily into the background areas - the foreground log catches my eye too much in the tighter one. That might change if you were to brighten up the top areas in that version, however. The lush groundcover here is a real asset.
This place is a beautiful and easy hike through some old growth to an overlook of some nice falls that are reached by wooden steps. A great place to introduce visitors to the lushness of our region, IMO.
I also agree about the second version, I prefer the first as well. I agree that the ground cover adds to the shot. If you've ever seen work from the fantasy artist Frank Frazetta, a lot of his paintngs have gnarly, moss covered logs in them, and this scene reminded me of that.
BOth images are as well done as possible. Really good stuff Damm we are lucky.
I'll also vote for the wider view and for the same reasons. You've captured the lush feel of these forests quite convincingly.