Michael Gordon and I had the pleasure of watching the sunrise over Mono Lake, from the Old Marina, that chilly Friday morning. I knew that there was no way I could pull any detail from the tufa and mountains, so I concentrated on creating a rather graphic composition and paid particular attention to the exposure I gave to the smooth water in the foreground.
I'm very interested in your thoughts on this.
Also, I would appreciate any comments regarding jpeg compression issues, or the lack of them. Thanks, all!
Tachihara 4x5
Astia 100F
I don't remember, but probably a 180.
Interesting and unique image from Mono, Preston. Looks like a little bit of noise in that black distant hill.. could be jpg compression related.
Posted by Eric Good on November 1, 2009 at 2:55 PM
The bold shapes and soft colors works for me. It's kind of nice to see something a bit different from this location. I was trying to think of a crop that might possibly strengthen the composition, but can't come up with anything better. Nice work!
Preston, I like the composition, but I'm not sure the graphic rendering is working for me, when compaired to some of your other images. But it's certainly interesting. Best Regards
Posted by Richard Wong on November 1, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Hey Preston. It doesn't really work for compositionally since there is so much emptiness up front (both from content and color) before getting into the frame. It is a black silhouette though.
Posted by Andre Torng on November 2, 2009 at 3:00 AM
I like it. This is kind of abstract version of mono lake. The contrast works very well for me. I just want to see a few more colors in it, maybe 15 minutes earlier?
Posted by Dan Baumbach on November 2, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Like the others, I feel that it's a nice idea but doesn't totally work for me. I wonder if a wider view would have worked better.
- Dan.
Posted by Lon Overacker on November 2, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Preston,
What I do like here is the graphic nature of the scene as well as how the large silhouette separates not only the color, but the texture of the water; from the mirror like surface in the foreground to the more wavy surface further out.
But honestly, I think the silhouetted tufa in the lake is just too much in the frame. Perhaps if there was some room on either end, this might work better.
I think what this location needs is a dramatic sunrise.
Can't see any compression issues this time, although this image probably isn't one that would show them either.
Lon
Posted by Steve Sieren on November 3, 2009 at 1:25 AM
This image was an experiment. I was attempting to make a very graphic representation of a rather lackluster moment. In the sense that the image is quite graphic, I believe I succeeded. I do agree that from a compositional standpoint, the image does not work completely. It was worth a try, though.
RE compression issues: One thing I have noticed is that flat panel monitors resolve images much differently than a CRT ( I have looked at my images on my Dell 19" flat panel at work and compared them to my 19" CRT at home). Any noise/compression artifacts are much more noticable because the flat panels resolve pixels in discrete pieces, whereas a CRT image is continuous. Realizing this, I decided to cut back a bit on sharpening for the Web, and in 'Save for the Web' in PS I uncheck 'Optimize'.
Whether any of this is true, is a matter of conjecture: research continues...
Hmmmm, kind of interesting information about the flat panel monitor to CRT viewing. I'm sure there is going to be a different look overall, or at least I would think it would. Not right or wrong on either, just different.
Thinking along those lines, Lon and I had an off line discussion about certain browsers giving a slightly different look as well. I'm sure most have seen certain sites state, "best viewing please use XXXX browser". Which brings to mind how people see ALL of our images. Not knowing whether a person is using a CRT or flat screen or what browser they maybe using, and of course if they are using any type of visual eyeglass aids with any sort of tint. Well, you kind of understand where Lon and I went back and forth on that issue for awhile.
Discussion
10 repliesI'm very interested in your thoughts on this.
Also, I would appreciate any comments regarding jpeg compression issues, or the lack of them. Thanks, all!
Tachihara 4x5
Astia 100F
I don't remember, but probably a 180.
-P
- Dan.
What I do like here is the graphic nature of the scene as well as how the large silhouette separates not only the color, but the texture of the water; from the mirror like surface in the foreground to the more wavy surface further out.
But honestly, I think the silhouetted tufa in the lake is just too much in the frame. Perhaps if there was some room on either end, this might work better.
I think what this location needs is a dramatic sunrise.
Can't see any compression issues this time, although this image probably isn't one that would show them either.
Lon
So what did you do differently?
This image was an experiment. I was attempting to make a very graphic representation of a rather lackluster moment. In the sense that the image is quite graphic, I believe I succeeded. I do agree that from a compositional standpoint, the image does not work completely. It was worth a try, though.
RE compression issues: One thing I have noticed is that flat panel monitors resolve images much differently than a CRT ( I have looked at my images on my Dell 19" flat panel at work and compared them to my 19" CRT at home). Any noise/compression artifacts are much more noticable because the flat panels resolve pixels in discrete pieces, whereas a CRT image is continuous. Realizing this, I decided to cut back a bit on sharpening for the Web, and in 'Save for the Web' in PS I uncheck 'Optimize'.
Whether any of this is true, is a matter of conjecture: research continues...
Thanks again for your comments!
-P
Thinking along those lines, Lon and I had an off line discussion about certain browsers giving a slightly different look as well. I'm sure most have seen certain sites state, "best viewing please use XXXX browser". Which brings to mind how people see ALL of our images. Not knowing whether a person is using a CRT or flat screen or what browser they maybe using, and of course if they are using any type of visual eyeglass aids with any sort of tint. Well, you kind of understand where Lon and I went back and forth on that issue for awhile.