Testing 1, 2, 3..... Yosemite Reflection

Curious to hear some thoughts between these two versions. They're both dark, and that's because the slides are pretty underexposed. The film of course handle the range and I can't brighten the top dark areas too much more before this just falls apart. I won't be able to print this unless it's kept pretty dark.

This is a simple reflection along the Merced from the trip to Yosemite with Jimmy Gekas just before Christmas.

Honest feedback appreciated on both. Yeah, or Nay?

thanks!

Lon

Here's a less warm and horizontal version with a number of minutes passing between the two images

Lon, I prefer the 1st over the 2nd but like them both. However, I think the title needs to indicate that the image is indeed a reflection...ala "Merced Reflection" or El Cap Reflection" or something similar, that may tone down the nits on the lack of detail in the dark areas

Thanks Reno! Nice catch, I never actually mention that this is a reflection.... duh!

Lon,

Have you considered just turning it upside down after all aren't all reflections that way. I like the correctly oriented images as well, I wouldn't have taken them for reflections unless you had said so.

Paul

Wow, I would not have guess that these are reflections, cool! The movement in the 2nd bothers me a bit much. The first I find very intriguing. The natural framing is incredible! I think you could manage brightening up the top left corner with a bit of noise reduction - there's no detail in there really, so some neat image or noise ninja would let you work it some if you'd like to.

I prefer the first one, Lon. It has more light to balance the dark areas. I would not have known this was a reflection as there are no clues to that. Interesting, but I do prefer your other work, however.

--P

Lon,

I really don't feel qualified to critique your work. But would it have been possible for you to use a wider angle lens to capture a portion of the shore? Then you could have the shore upright, the reflection in the proper oreintation and the image would speak for itself.

Roland

Great job framing this one, a very interesting image. I had no idea that this was a reflection shot--not sure if that is to your benefit or not. . .

Of the two, I prefer the first. I really like the colors and lines in it.

Of the two, I prefer the first. I think that a vertical works better here, and I really
like the colors and lines.

Lon
I'm jumping on the #1 band wagon as well. Hard to imagine is is a reflection. Obviously the river cooperated. I like the first because more of the rack face is there for contrast between the trees and fog. Going to Yosemite this coming weekend, hoping for snow.

Dan Ryan
Northern California

Lon, #1 . All your recent yosemite works is just speech less, this is no exception !!

Lon,

The first is dark. But I like the mood it protraits. It is just different from the other tree shots in your portfolio. The colors and atmosphere are superb.

Derek

I likwe the 1st one. The composition is nice.

If a large print shows details hinting it's a reflection then that is great, otherwise what was the point of a reflection vs direct framing? You just added a mirror to your imaging aparatus.

I am liking the frist one, too. Hard to tell it is a reflection. The upside down idea might work. Without anchor points to tell me it is a reflection, I find the second looks like a blurry image (quite popular these days, however).

I'm all over the first image, for it's crispness, colors and comp. Nice to see something a bit different from there and very well executed. Good stuff!

Great images!! I prefer the first. The colors are a bit dreamlike, for me the only suggestion that it is a reflection. Well done.

Lon,
I'm with everyone else, the first image is my favorite. It does look a little dark, but not when you recognize that its a reflection. Nicely done. Best Regards.

I can't make up my mind. I like them both. Nice work.

- Dan.

Wow, thanks everyone for all your responses and observations. Not so interesting perhaps because I already knew it was a reflection that I didn't really think twice about it. In general, I have a preference not to show the far shore or even show the ground in many cases in non reflection images. ie. my recent ES&S post.

I'm kinda bummed that the original is so dark. It's really unfit to print unfortunately and I don't have any noise reducing software like Noise Ninja or anything like that and don't plan on getting any in the near future.

Richard "otherwise what was the point of a reflection vs direct framing?" I see your point and in fact I did shoot the scene directly, only with a longer lens and of course the changing foggy conditions resulted in completely different images. But to your point, there was enough movement in the water that the reflection was certainly more abstract and yes, it would show in a larger print. Unfortunately this won't ever see a large printing.

Anyway, I didn't expect to get so many comments on this. I may have to return to this location and try again.

thanks!
Lon