Wildflowers in the Cascades
Nov 29, 2013 13:23:43 #
Please discuss composition and cropping only - and feel free to post your illustrations.
Please do not adjust exposure, color, clarity, etc.
I am interested to know if you find the image interesting, if you like or dislike the photographer in it, how much you might cut out of the negative space, and any other guidance and words of wisdom :) you might have regarding how to approach a scene like this. Thanks so much!
Please do not adjust exposure, color, clarity, etc.
I am interested to know if you find the image interesting, if you like or dislike the photographer in it, how much you might cut out of the negative space, and any other guidance and words of wisdom :) you might have regarding how to approach a scene like this. Thanks so much!
Nov 29, 2013 13:32:47 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Please discuss composition and cropping only - and post your illustrations if you'd like. Please do not adjust exposure, color, clarity, etc.
I am interested to know if you find the image interesting, if you like or dislike the photographer in it, how much you might cut out of the negative space, and any other guidance and words of wisdom :) you might have regarding how to approach a scene like this. Thanks so much!
I am interested to know if you find the image interesting, if you like or dislike the photographer in it, how much you might cut out of the negative space, and any other guidance and words of wisdom :) you might have regarding how to approach a scene like this. Thanks so much!
I think the image becomes more interesting if some is cropped off all sides. I like the photographer in the scene, but the main body of wildflowers is to the viewer's right, and the reflections in the water are interesting too. Linda, may I post the way I cropped it? No other changes. It keeps the feeling of your photo, it just zooms in by use of cropping.
Nov 29, 2013 13:43:22 #
Heirloom Tomato wrote:
I think the image becomes more interesting if some is cropped off all sides. I like the photographer in the scene, but the main body of wildflowers is to the viewer's right, and the reflections in the water are interesting too. Linda, may I post the way I cropped it? No other changes. It keeps the feeling of your photo, it just zooms in by use of cropping.
You betcha :)
Nov 29, 2013 13:45:40 #
People keep saying there should be space "in front of" a person, bird, animal, etc., but I have often found that putting space behind the subject tells a whole different story, as in, where did they just come from to get where they are now, or, "Turn around and look at all that beauty you're ignoring." At any rate, in the crop below, I found what was behind the photographer to be truly captivating, I couldn't touch the reflection in the water, but I was more than willing to sacrifice a little real estate at the top and bottom. You were right to forbid us access to the coloration! It's beguiling just as is.
Variant on WIldflowers in the Cascades
Nov 29, 2013 13:46:44 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
You betcha :)
Here is the way I cropped it. Nothing creative or fancy, I kept all your elements, just zoomed in for a closer view.
Nov 29, 2013 13:48:11 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
People keep saying there should be space "in ... (show quote)
Thanks so much Bob, I like your edit. I always appreciate when people are able to express the "why" of their choices. Sometimes I just can't get out of the right-brain mode to verbalize :)
Nov 29, 2013 13:50:28 #
Heirloom Tomato wrote:
Here is the way I cropped it. Nothing creative or fancy, I kept all your elements, just zoomed in for a closer view.
Thank you Hope! That works really well. It showcases the curve on shoreline better and that the photographer is surrounded by flowers, whereas Bob's appeals to me for the vastness and emptiness and that "look what I missed behind me" sentiment. I like both better than my original :)
Nov 29, 2013 13:51:49 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Thank you Hope! That works really well :)
It's subtle, but gives a little more scenic oomph! I love the photo.
Nov 29, 2013 13:52:17 #
Heirloom Tomato wrote:
It's subtle, but gives a little more scenic oomph! I love the photo.
Thank you!
Nov 29, 2013 14:27:34 #
If I were going to crop this photo, I think I would do it like HT. I like the flowers behind the photographer. I also like the reflection in the water. I was less enthused about the amount of water in the bottom of the photo and the dark area above. HT seems to have hit it on the nose. I do think it is an interesting composition. It pretty much shows a choice being made. There are flowers right behind the photographer, but he is intent on the lake scene in front of him. Good photo Linda. I like it.
Nov 29, 2013 14:44:30 #
ebrunner wrote:
If I were going to crop this photo, I think I woul... (show quote)
Thanks so much for taking the time to analyze and comment, ebrunner.
Nov 29, 2013 14:56:36 #
I like the photographer in the photo.
My crop is all off the left. I like the dark top and bottom and the symmetry and contrast they provide around the bright greens. I don't think there's too much of it, but taking some off doesn't hurt the image. Though I think, if you crop top and bottom, it's best to take the same amount off each to keep the balance. I too prefer the right side open space. Taking some off the left side emphasizes it while maintaining a good overall composition.
I like the barely perceptible detail in the background and the specks on the foreground water. Originally I thought the flowers could be a little more vibrant. But I think it's good having the spring green grass dominate while the flowers highlight the reflection around the photographer.
My one wish is that the photographer's jacket wasn't blown. Don't know if you could recover anything there from your original (raw?)
My crop is all off the left. I like the dark top and bottom and the symmetry and contrast they provide around the bright greens. I don't think there's too much of it, but taking some off doesn't hurt the image. Though I think, if you crop top and bottom, it's best to take the same amount off each to keep the balance. I too prefer the right side open space. Taking some off the left side emphasizes it while maintaining a good overall composition.
I like the barely perceptible detail in the background and the specks on the foreground water. Originally I thought the flowers could be a little more vibrant. But I think it's good having the spring green grass dominate while the flowers highlight the reflection around the photographer.
My one wish is that the photographer's jacket wasn't blown. Don't know if you could recover anything there from your original (raw?)
Some cropped of the left side
Nov 29, 2013 15:22:31 #
Gauss wrote:
I like the photographer in the photo. br br My cr... (show quote)
Thank you! I like this. Hadn't thought of a more square version, though I often like the aspect.
Raw? Wishful thinking, I'm afraid :) Shot this with Canon SX50 at great distance, and wasn't even considering raw this summer, though I did try it once since then. As I learn more about Elements 12, I will use raw more often, though with my SLR for better quality.
Bob Y told me a way to lighten the photographer's face and I did that, more or less successfully. Also tried the jacket at the time, but I think it'll be better to practice on larger subject.
Thanks again, Gauss. I greatly appreciate your taking the time to view and comment.
Nov 29, 2013 17:15:33 #
Slowly but surely you guys and gals are drawing me into the fun side of editing :)
I decided that if the photographer was going to be so close to the edge of the frame, I preferred that he be looking the other way. So I flipped. Then I was able to tone down the highlights and vibrance and then was able to lighten his face (selection tool, enhance, adjust lighting) while darkening the jacket (partly clone, partly blur). Even remembered to do a bit on the reflection (with burn tool).
#1 below is with those edits and #2 has a slight bit of sharpen using Picasa. Wanted to see if I could tell the difference online.
Thanks again for your assistance and inspiration :)
I decided that if the photographer was going to be so close to the edge of the frame, I preferred that he be looking the other way. So I flipped. Then I was able to tone down the highlights and vibrance and then was able to lighten his face (selection tool, enhance, adjust lighting) while darkening the jacket (partly clone, partly blur). Even remembered to do a bit on the reflection (with burn tool).
#1 below is with those edits and #2 has a slight bit of sharpen using Picasa. Wanted to see if I could tell the difference online.
Thanks again for your assistance and inspiration :)
Nov 29, 2013 17:42:37 #
Great job on this new version.
Linda From Maine wrote:
Good call; it's easy to forget that and have a mismatch. :thumbup:... Even remembered to do a bit on the reflection (with burn tool). ...
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.