Posted by Tim Visser on November 24, 2009 at 2:15 AM
I took this picture this Fall during my first trip to the San Juans. This image was shot with D300, 1/80, f13, Manual, 62mm, ISO 200, Nikon 24-70mm. I'd be interested in hearing your comments on this shot and how you would improve it, either shooting or digital darkroom.
Thanks,
Tim
Posted by Tim Visser on November 24, 2009 at 2:31 AM
Here is another from Last Dollar road. D300, 1/125, f8, manual, 24-70, 70mm
Tim
Posted by Bryan Maltais on November 24, 2009 at 2:57 AM
Hello Tim, 1 is not bad, perhaps warm it up just a bit. In 2 clouds should not be blue, and it's very over-saturated.
Posted by Stan Rose on November 24, 2009 at 6:23 AM
What Bryan said about the processing. I like #1, a good subject, but i can't help but think some other angle might have showcased the fence better, since here it sort of disappears. Maybe straight on--to contrast the vertical and horizontal lines. Nice colors, tho.
Posted by Nick Moore on November 24, 2009 at 8:30 AM
I too like #1, the fence adds a nice element to the scene, nice colours too. I agree with Bryan and Stan regarding the processing though!.
Posted by John Mumaw on November 24, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Processing issues aside (which I agree with), I like both compositions.
I would crop an inch off of the top of #1 to lose that stray branch coming in from the top right corner. You should be pleased with the results from your first trip down this way.
Posted by Erik Aagaard on November 24, 2009 at 11:29 AM
What everyone else said about color and saturation.
#1 - I've run into lots of situations like this -- it's just a stunning scene, and I have to shoot it despite the harsh light. I'm usually disappointed by the results, but not always. It's hard to suggest a different composition without having been there, but to me this is one of those "if only I could go back and shoot from 2 feet to the left" kind of shots.
#2 -- Have you considered cropping the sky out of this image? To me, that helps emphasize the graphic elements in the foreground and significantly improves the impact of the shot.
I wonder if you have enough depth of field in #2, if you shot at f/8 at 70mm? The small image on the screen looks fine, but I'm not sure how a larger print would hold up. Just a thought.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on November 24, 2009 at 11:43 AM
I prefer #2. The first one is a bit harsh and contrasty to my eye and there are so many possible subjects fighting for attention (the foreground tree trunks, the fence, the branches/foliage above) that it becomes a bit of a jarring comp to view.
The mulit-colored waves of red oak brush and gold aspen on the hillsides in #2 however are much more pleasing to my eye. As the others have pointed out it needs a little bit of work on the color, but it would be time well spent. It appears to me your whites have too much cyan in them (check out the clouds and the bare hillside on the left slightly above the middle). Decreasing cyan in saturation or selective color would improve the image. I don't mind the sky, I think this could work both ways with it included if the color was improved or with it cropped out to showcase the foreground more.
Posted by Doug Andrews on November 24, 2009 at 12:33 PM
For some reason, to me the tall vertical aspens aren't meshing well with the more horizontal fence in #1. I think the fence needs to be more easily seen maybe, kinda on the lines of what Stan is suggesting.
Posted by Grant Collier on November 24, 2009 at 2:57 PM
These are both pretty good. #1 seems a little tight and crowded. Maybe a wider angle or a step or two back could have improved it. For #2, I might crop off the bottom third and crop out the sky, making a more abstract image focusing on the colors and patterns.
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on November 24, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Tim... I like both composition.... #2 is my preference ....
Posted by Brian Jackson on November 24, 2009 at 6:00 PM
#2 will be really nice once the colors have been corrected.
Posted by Tim Visser on November 25, 2009 at 12:14 AM
All,
I appreciate the feedback and recommendations. I will take a look at those and tweak what I have and re-post over the next couple of days. When I get another opportunity for taking the aspens with the fence, I will try different angles as suggested.
Discussion
12 repliesThanks,
Tim
Tim
I would crop an inch off of the top of #1 to lose that stray branch coming in from the top right corner. You should be pleased with the results from your first trip down this way.
#1 - I've run into lots of situations like this -- it's just a stunning scene, and I have to shoot it despite the harsh light. I'm usually disappointed by the results, but not always. It's hard to suggest a different composition without having been there, but to me this is one of those "if only I could go back and shoot from 2 feet to the left" kind of shots.
#2 -- Have you considered cropping the sky out of this image? To me, that helps emphasize the graphic elements in the foreground and significantly improves the impact of the shot.
I wonder if you have enough depth of field in #2, if you shot at f/8 at 70mm? The small image on the screen looks fine, but I'm not sure how a larger print would hold up. Just a thought.
The mulit-colored waves of red oak brush and gold aspen on the hillsides in #2 however are much more pleasing to my eye. As the others have pointed out it needs a little bit of work on the color, but it would be time well spent. It appears to me your whites have too much cyan in them (check out the clouds and the bare hillside on the left slightly above the middle). Decreasing cyan in saturation or selective color would improve the image. I don't mind the sky, I think this could work both ways with it included if the color was improved or with it cropped out to showcase the foreground more.
I appreciate the feedback and recommendations. I will take a look at those and tweak what I have and re-post over the next couple of days. When I get another opportunity for taking the aspens with the fence, I will try different angles as suggested.
Tim