The softest of light: Neist Point lighthouse, Isle of Skye. I'm attempting to depict the soft glowing light caused by the heavy atmospheric haze and the sun being filtered through...

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Neist Point lighthouse, Isle of Skye.

I'm attempting to depict the soft glowing light caused by the heavy atmospheric haze and the sun being filtered through cloud. Also it's an attempt to simulate the gentle qualities of early Victorian landscape photographs.

Did I get near?

(Download)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Not quite sure what you mean by Victorian. Soft and grainy? If so then you got it. Not so sure about the glow though. I think the overall level of lighting may be too dark to convey the glow that you saw. Possibly a bit too contrasty as well.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

R.G. wrote:

Not quite sure what you mean by Victorian. Soft and grainy? If so then you got it. Not so sure about the glow though. I think the overall level of lighting may be too dark to convey the glow that you saw. Possibly a bit too contrasty as well.

It has come up with more contrast than I wanted... but hey-ho

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I downloaded and viewed on my 17" laptop, definitely less contrasty there. I love the composition and your light, though I could see taking it further to "glow" without it looking contrived.

Graham, thank you for directing me to Roger Fenton. Google Image search produced many photos that helped me understand your goal.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Graham Smith wrote:

Neist Point lighthouse, Isle of Skye.

I'm attempting to depict the soft glowing light caused by the heavy atmospheric haze and the sun being filtered through cloud. Also it's an attempt to simulate the gentle qualities of early Victorian landscape photographs.

Did I get near?

Not only is this a pleasing image, it is a fascinating goal to undertake. I too am interested in the early landscape photographs, with their softness and light. We sometimes give up atmosphere in our modern chase for sharpness and intense contrasts.

There are various things you could do to experiment, but you've probably already done those: brighten, reduce contrast, try old photo tones, experiment with different grain and even old papers layered on the image (my personal favorite). Atmospheric haze, fog or mist help build the foundation for such experiments, and if you have those at capture, as you do here, then the PP is a little easier.

This image would work with any one of a multitude of processing styles because it has a wonderful compositional angle and sweep, looking down and over to the lighthouse. I puts me there. I like it a lot.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Graham Smith wrote:

Neist Point lighthouse, Isle of Skye.

I'm attempting to depict the soft glowing light caused by the heavy atmospheric haze and the sun being filtered through cloud. Also it's an attempt to simulate the gentle qualities of early Victorian landscape photographs.

Did I get near?

Sure there is some noise in the image. Not a deal breaker at all. I usually like some noise or grain in an image like this. I really think the light on the water is really a nice touch. The lighthouse also gives us an idea of scale. This landscape is gigantic and that makes it all the more impressive. Well done in my opinion.
Erich

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

Graham Smith wrote:

Neist Point lighthouse, Isle of Skye.

I'm attempting to depict the soft glowing light caused by the heavy atmospheric haze and the sun being filtered through cloud. Also it's an attempt to simulate the gentle qualities of early Victorian landscape photographs.

Did I get near?

* * * * *
Hm? "early Victorian" ? 1837-1901, maybe 1860s? Depends on a more limited definition of the era.
Early lenses were of simple 1-element construction, so of course max definition would be in center,
very noticeably so, and you wouldn't have detail anywhere else. So what would you think of limiting your
focus for the effect you want? I have an old Spiratone portrait lens that does things with focus and
light that would be difficult to emulate. (As it has a Y/C lens adapter of course never use it anymore,
but your goal brought it to mind.)

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Graham Smith wrote:

Neist Point lighthouse, Isle of Skye.

I'm attempting to depict the soft glowing light caused by the heavy atmospheric haze and the sun being filtered through cloud. Also it's an attempt to simulate the gentle qualities of early Victorian landscape photographs.

Did I get near?

I was not sure what you meant by early Victorian landscape so I used Google and of course a wealth of images appeared.

IMHO, you got near. And as has been said, and kudos, I think the light and the composition are first rate. No work needed there. And the exposure is spot on. That had to be tough. Good job. And I like the use of BW (no color back then right?). My thinking on where it doesn't quite work is (and I thought this before I used google) the grain is too coarse. IMHO a fine grain is what is needed here, almost imperceptible, but just enough to lend a very very slight softness to the focus.

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

I once read, "... nothing on the ground- or in the water- should be brighter than anything in the sky" and that's what bothers me in this photo - the reflection is too bright - annoyingly so given its source is not included. The visual texture is isn't bothersome at all and works just fine- tones and sharpness are agreeable to me... I like it.

As an aside, I think an interesting composition can be found in left 1/4 of the image, where the trail rises then leaps into the sea to continue as tendrils of sea foam... boosting those lines and knocking down horizon brightness could be quite nice... and still maintain the Victorian - paper negative like qualities desired...

dadaist

Hi Graham. I like the pix! I played around and change the gamma and added a warming filter, above the horizon to brighten it up a bit. I don't know if that would give you what you are looking for. Try it. I don't know how to place my edited copy into this reply. sorry.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Mr. Smith I know nothing of Victorian landscape (even after goole’s help) so the following is nothing more than opinion, and just my opinion….the background left glow should have some of a ray effect or look similar to the rainy look back right, as is, it is almost to distinct and distracts. The sun's reflection water center feels too strong as does it’s sky appearance. I guess for me just an overall better transitional blending of light. Fuminous summed it up quite well. Overall I like the composition and tones.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Using the download really improves this image. There's nice detail in the darker sections, and they are a bit lighter. My grandmother had a vew Victorian images, and I look at them nearly every day. But they're portraits, so that makes a huge difference. So, whether you achieved your goal or not, I cannot say. But I can say it's a lovely image.