Posted by Doug Koepsel on August 31, 2013 at 4:34 PM
A couple of weeks ago, I went to Government Prairie west of Flagstaff as the flowers were to be nice and more plentiful than in normal years. Here are a few different views. If you have a preference or processing suggestion on an individual image, I'd be glad to hear. Thanks. Hope y'all have a great Labor Day Weekend.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on August 31, 2013 at 4:34 PM
#2
Posted by Doug Koepsel on August 31, 2013 at 4:35 PM
#3
Posted by John Mumaw on August 31, 2013 at 8:55 PM
I like them in the order they're posted here, Doug. #1 is my clear favorite because of the unique view of that large rock with the flowers wrapping around it and the spotlight of sun in the prairie and the left mountain. The scene here is interesting to the eye because of the 'middles'...rock, treeless prairie and gap between the mountain peaks. I like that!
That one is the keeper of the lot, IMO. I could see cropping an inch from the right for symmetry's sake. Part of that could be gained by a slight clockwise rotation. It may be straight, but there is an illusion of CCW tilt to my eye.
Your 'development' is nearly flawless as usual.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 1, 2013 at 12:04 AM
I prefer the comp of #2 however the light in #1 is stunning. Overall I'm going with #2 because I find the foreground rock in #1 is way too distracting. That darn rock just overwhelms this image to my eye. These kinds of images will resonate with some, but detract with others. I'll go with comp of #2 with slightly less exquisite lighting; meaning, this comp with the lighting of #1 would be amazing to my eye.
You have picked up some nice processing techniques lately where the processing feels good to the eye; basically working the mid tones and highlights.
Number three would be dynamite if that tripod was just about 8-12" inches higher; where that big rock doesn't intercept the distant skyline of the mountain on the left.
Being nit-picky here...no doubt!
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 1, 2013 at 6:17 AM
Doug, #2 and #3 are both very nice. I think #1 would've been more effective if that foreground rock weren't centered in the image. I'm guessing that the same overall scene could've been shot moving slighting to the right or left of that rock.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 1, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Thank you for your feedback and suggestions. The light moving across the prairie is definitely needed. the difference is quite evident between 1&3. I went back a few days later to another hillside and had no breaks in the clouds.
Howard-in #1, I mused about Stan's rule pertaining to large foreground rocks. At the time, I was thinking to center the rock so it would form a triangle with the two peaks, and it and the foreground curve would point into the flat below. Another day shooting sunflower hills, I did remember to place a large foreground sage to the side, and also had the centered version.
Kane- Regarding processing, I have kept the same workflow, but have also started to add with Nik filters about 4% tonal contrast, and sometimes a little glamour glow like in these images. I did move from a D90 to a D600 back in May. By all means, you are welcome to pick tiny nits.
John, I did some distortion correction to reduce curvature and horizon leveling, but perhaps using the base of the dark cloud near the horizon center would work for leveling perception.
Thanks again for the thoughts come next summer's flower crop on Government Prairie.
Posted by Stan Rose on September 1, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Yes--the big rock is a disaster I kind of like these in reverse order, although 2,3 are so close ill call it a tie. Cool set, even the 1st one has some merit
Posted by Don George on September 2, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Beautiful place. #3 is my favorite. I like the placement of the rocks .
Discussion
9 repliesThat one is the keeper of the lot, IMO. I could see cropping an inch from the right for symmetry's sake. Part of that could be gained by a slight clockwise rotation. It may be straight, but there is an illusion of CCW tilt to my eye.
Your 'development' is nearly flawless as usual.
You have picked up some nice processing techniques lately where the processing feels good to the eye; basically working the mid tones and highlights.
Number three would be dynamite if that tripod was just about 8-12" inches higher; where that big rock doesn't intercept the distant skyline of the mountain on the left.
Being nit-picky here...no doubt!
Howard-in #1, I mused about Stan's rule pertaining to large foreground rocks. At the time, I was thinking to center the rock so it would form a triangle with the two peaks, and it and the foreground curve would point into the flat below. Another day shooting sunflower hills, I did remember to place a large foreground sage to the side, and also had the centered version.
Kane- Regarding processing, I have kept the same workflow, but have also started to add with Nik filters about 4% tonal contrast, and sometimes a little glamour glow like in these images. I did move from a D90 to a D600 back in May. By all means, you are welcome to pick tiny nits.
John, I did some distortion correction to reduce curvature and horizon leveling, but perhaps using the base of the dark cloud near the horizon center would work for leveling perception.
Thanks again for the thoughts come next summer's flower crop on Government Prairie.