Posted by Kurt Bowman on October 12, 2009 at 11:32 PM
As you view this, keep in mind, I normally shoot moving subjects (wildlife). i guess I got confused and thought I heard a train coming...? I also posted this in Man and Nature, but wondered what the crowd here thought about it. I decided to open up my lens on this, because it was trying to convey the tracks fading into the grass (which is what I was feeling when I took this). I took this up on Kenosha Pass a few weeks ago.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 12, 2009 at 11:43 PM
I can see what you're attempting here, but feel it would have been more successful had the immediate foreground been sharper.
Posted by Bob Falcone on October 12, 2009 at 11:47 PM
I like it, but I wonder if a lower angle would have given a more pronounced effect of the tracks disappearing into the distance?
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 13, 2009 at 12:44 AM
I like your thought process, EXCEPT, as John said, I think it would work better if the FG was sharp and the rest of the image gradually faded out of focus. As it stands now, the soft FG creates a visual and mental roadblock.
I like it. I think the guys are right that the foreground needs to be sharper. For me the height / angle seems about right.
My other thoughts are in-line with what you are trying to convey. For me, because the composition is tight, it brings more of a dynamic, "uh-oh is there a train coming around that corner" kinda feel than a "awh, days gone by, end of summer" feeling. (Ok, I'm on my second cup of coffee as well so perhaps that's it).
If you want a calmer reaction to the image I might open up the comp a bit, put some sky in(if you can), or lengthen the curve / lead-in to the curve. Just my 0.02
Posted by Kurt Bowman on October 13, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Thanks everyone for the comments. I REALLY appreciate the help and agree I missed the focal point here. Maybe, I can get back up there soon and re-take this shot. I did shoot it at f/18 also to see how it came out. While the foreground is a little more in focus, I didn't like the top of the shot as much. If I am ambitious, maybe, I will play with that shot a little in PS and add a little lens blur on the top and see how it comes out.....anyhow, thanks again for the help
Posted by Paul Wegemann on October 13, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Good comments so far. How bout B&W and some heavy vignetting?
Posted by Kurt Bowman on October 14, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Discussion
8 repliesI like it. I think the guys are right that the foreground needs to be sharper. For me the height / angle seems about right.
My other thoughts are in-line with what you are trying to convey. For me, because the composition is tight, it brings more of a dynamic, "uh-oh is there a train coming around that corner" kinda feel than a "awh, days gone by, end of summer" feeling. (Ok, I'm on my second cup of coffee as well so perhaps that's it).
If you want a calmer reaction to the image I might open up the comp a bit, put some sky in(if you can), or lengthen the curve / lead-in to the curve. Just my 0.02