Posted by Ryan Wright on September 4, 2013 at 5:11 PM
Hello all you wonderful people!
How is everyone? I've been lurking through some posts and y'all have some phenomenal photos. It's always good to see that the awesome photographers on here have been busy!
As for me, I sold my soul to the business world and I'm now working for a company here in Boulder. 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. It's a brutal trade off sometimes, exchanging free time to go do photography with the peace of mind knowing that I won't have a hard time paying bills. I'm finding a balance though.
However, I did get to go out to the sunflower fields out by DIA last month and my friend Josh and I were treated to one heck of a sunset out there! I thought I'd share with you all and see what you think.
You can find more information at: [url=http://www.ryanwrightphotoblog.com/sunflower-dusk[/url]
Posted by Ryan Wright on September 4, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Posted by Jeremy Kessler on September 4, 2013 at 10:00 PM
Welcome back! Beautiful Image.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 4, 2013 at 10:50 PM
Hi Ryan and welcome back! I think this is a great image. You took advantage of the fantastic sunset and really nailed the comp, DOF focus, and color.. Overall I think the processing looks good but could be a bit better. Likely most people wouldn't notice some of the blending opportunities, but I assume since you have posted here you want all encompassing feedback.
Per your blend, look at your sun. From there, fan your eye left and right outward at your horizon. Compare the immediate lighter exposures left and right, to the darker exposure of your sun and the immediate area above your sun. To the left and right...That's your basic "halo."
I suppose you tried to save your fantastic sun exposure, but the darker sun exposure darkened up your foreground flowers, which are the main attraction here. You reverted to saving the flowers, keeping your awesome sun exposure, thus you had to somehow transition your horizon.
Transitioning exposure on horizons are VERY tricky to process via a hand blend. Your customer/friends will not notice. However, many trained eyes will pick this out over time, viewing this image. To make this horizon scene a bit more realistic, I would keep your foreground light (which is perfect) but add more exposure to your immediate sun to match the exposure of the horizon and to transition better with the darker clouds above the horizon. Ultimately, the flowers are the priority here, thus sacrifice the sun pertfect "sphere" maybe? Possibly lighten the top 3rd of the image about one stop?
These are just recommendations based on my migrating style.. of course...
Posted by Karl Buiter on September 5, 2013 at 2:25 AM
I gather Ryan and Kane were on the same shoot.
All good images. Entirely different mood. Interesting study.
Posted by Stan Rose on September 6, 2013 at 8:24 PM
yeah, sky needs some work...but it's a purty shot!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 10, 2013 at 9:51 AM
The two closer heads being larger are nice as are the rays in the sky. Nits would be that the flowers near the horizon appear too dark (like being burned by a GND, but likely from blending per your description), and the sky along the horizon seems too bright/foggy white.
Discussion
6 repliesHow is everyone? I've been lurking through some posts and y'all have some phenomenal photos. It's always good to see that the awesome photographers on here have been busy!
As for me, I sold my soul to the business world and I'm now working for a company here in Boulder. 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. It's a brutal trade off sometimes, exchanging free time to go do photography with the peace of mind knowing that I won't have a hard time paying bills. I'm finding a balance though.
However, I did get to go out to the sunflower fields out by DIA last month and my friend Josh and I were treated to one heck of a sunset out there! I thought I'd share with you all and see what you think.
You can find more information at: [url=http://www.ryanwrightphotoblog.com/sunflower-dusk[/url]
Per your blend, look at your sun. From there, fan your eye left and right outward at your horizon. Compare the immediate lighter exposures left and right, to the darker exposure of your sun and the immediate area above your sun. To the left and right...That's your basic "halo."
I suppose you tried to save your fantastic sun exposure, but the darker sun exposure darkened up your foreground flowers, which are the main attraction here. You reverted to saving the flowers, keeping your awesome sun exposure, thus you had to somehow transition your horizon.
Transitioning exposure on horizons are VERY tricky to process via a hand blend. Your customer/friends will not notice. However, many trained eyes will pick this out over time, viewing this image. To make this horizon scene a bit more realistic, I would keep your foreground light (which is perfect) but add more exposure to your immediate sun to match the exposure of the horizon and to transition better with the darker clouds above the horizon. Ultimately, the flowers are the priority here, thus sacrifice the sun pertfect "sphere" maybe? Possibly lighten the top 3rd of the image about one stop?
These are just recommendations based on my migrating style.. of course...
I gather Ryan and Kane were on the same shoot.
All good images. Entirely different mood. Interesting study.