Posted by Scott Fricke on April 4, 2013 at 7:17 PM
Wheeler Lake, near Alma, CO
This was taken in early summer when most of the lake was still frozen over. I liked how the mountain reflection blended into the rocks below the water surface in the foreground. There is a lot going on in the image and I was wondering if it was too much. I'd appreciate any critiques you may have.
Hmm. Sure its busy, but I don't mind busy, especially printed big. But something is off. I suppose I'm tying to figure out why your sky is very contrasty (looks good) but it doesn't show up in the reflection with the well defined mountain. Something in the processing doesn't feel right.
These late spring shots that show mountain snow are tough because the snow isn't very pretty at this point. You typically get yucky streaks of brown silt and mud that's finally exposing itself as it get warmer and warmer. That, combined with the mid day lighting is a good reason to go B&W, however I'm just guessing here.
Posted by Scott Fricke on April 4, 2013 at 9:07 PM
Thanks for your comments Kane. I actually didn't do much processing other than the conversion to B&W (although using one of the preset options in Silver Efex Pro added some contrast to the clouds). I believe that is caused by the angle of lens. I have another image taken @24mm aimed about level that has the cloud reflections with the rocks only faintly visible [see post below and 3rd post for RAW image of original post]. I then took a few shots at 17mm aiming slightly down from level and the cloud reflections reduce and the rocks are more visible. This one is shot @ 17mm and I was aiming farther down, with the bottom of the image almost near my feet.
You are correct about the mid day lighting, there wasn't much color in the scene so I went B&W. The snow is surprisingly clean for mid-June, although there could have been some late snow.
Posted by Scott Fricke on April 4, 2013 at 9:41 PM
Here is one taken at 24mm and aimed about level for comparison. Unedited, taken from RAW file.
Posted by Scott Fricke on April 4, 2013 at 9:51 PM
Original RAW photo of original post
Posted by Lance Burch on April 5, 2013 at 12:55 AM
I think is that the reflection looks more like a sandbar than a reflection and that throws it off some. I like though, but it does make you stop and look more closely to figure out what you're looking at.
I wonder if darkening the shadows on the mountain slope (without darkening the actual peak of the dominant mountain) and darkening the foreground would increase the sense of depth, while leaving the reflection untouched.
Also, it has been my opinion (others may disagree) that photos of mountains with shadows and sun highlights have a greater feeling of depth when the actual peak of the dominant mountain has sunlight on it with shadows below. I think having the peak of the dominant mountain in shadow tends to compress the scene.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on April 5, 2013 at 8:40 PM
Scott, I like it in that it makes one stop and look more closely.
Don, I'll not disagree with your second comment/opinion. I remember last summer in the San Juans and this winter at the canyon for light and shadows to move into the right spots. Not that one always wins in the waiting game though
I really like the image because there is so much drama here. Beautiful clouds too. Don is right on about the sunlight on the peak and compression I think. BUT here I think the peak itself is not in deep shadows. I think with some luminosity masks we can selectively improve the contrast here.Brightening up the clouds will also add to the overall image I think...
Discussion
8 repliesThis was taken in early summer when most of the lake was still frozen over. I liked how the mountain reflection blended into the rocks below the water surface in the foreground. There is a lot going on in the image and I was wondering if it was too much. I'd appreciate any critiques you may have.
Hmm. Sure its busy, but I don't mind busy, especially printed big. But something is off. I suppose I'm tying to figure out why your sky is very contrasty (looks good) but it doesn't show up in the reflection with the well defined mountain. Something in the processing doesn't feel right.
These late spring shots that show mountain snow are tough because the snow isn't very pretty at this point. You typically get yucky streaks of brown silt and mud that's finally exposing itself as it get warmer and warmer. That, combined with the mid day lighting is a good reason to go B&W, however I'm just guessing here.
You are correct about the mid day lighting, there wasn't much color in the scene so I went B&W. The snow is surprisingly clean for mid-June, although there could have been some late snow.
Also, it has been my opinion (others may disagree) that photos of mountains with shadows and sun highlights have a greater feeling of depth when the actual peak of the dominant mountain has sunlight on it with shadows below. I think having the peak of the dominant mountain in shadow tends to compress the scene.
Don, I'll not disagree with your second comment/opinion. I remember last summer in the San Juans and this winter at the canyon for light and shadows to move into the right spots. Not that one always wins in the waiting game though