The Stones at Callanish: The Neolithic stone circle, not the Rolling Stones. Callanish on Lewis, the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. FYC...

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

The Neolithic stone circle, not the Rolling Stones.

Callanish on Lewis, the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

FYC

(Download)

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

I'm not one that grain bothers much Mr. Smith….you have me wondering if you introduced some in post. Since you did mention FYC I might consider cropping half the foreground, not sure if it would be an improvement as i haven’t done it. I think in this case the foreboding clouds compliment the subject very well.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Frank2013 wrote:

I'm not one that grain bothers much Mr. Smith….you have me wondering if you introduced some in post. Since you did mention FYC I might consider cropping half the foreground, not sure if it would be an improvement as i haven’t done it. I think in this case the foreboding clouds compliment the subject very well.

Hello Frank, I did introduce grain. I am a self confessed grainaholic. I process my pictures to be viewed as if they are hung on a wall rather that with the nose pressed against the monitor

I think grain adds a softness, a gentleness, to a picture when, viewed at normal viewing distance, that no form of blurring can. I do like softer pictures, (not out of focus though)

As for the crop I, rightly or wrongly, (and your suggestion is equally worthy), like to try to present subjects as part of the landscape. I would much prefer to see a building surrounded by the landscape it sits rather than have the building fill the frame.

Graham

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

dem rocks got good light, and dem clouds are gonna get you wet. I'm assuming one isn't allowed closer (since I don't see anyone). But considering how cold it looks, it might well be that most Scots now live in Italy or Spain. <grin>

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

pfrancke wrote:

dem rocks got good light, and dem clouds are gonna get you wet. I'm assuming one isn't allowed closer (since I don't see anyone). But considering how cold it looks, it might well be that most Scots now live in Italy or Spain. <grin>

Thanks Piet, it's always a bonus if the break from the rain is long enough to get yourself dry... it's really not that rainy... well, not quite

You can walk freely amongst the stones, I waited until every one had gone home at the end of they day, it was cold and very windy so only the foolhardy stayed on

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Gorgeous tonal range, strong elements for instant impact, perfect for me in every way.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

I notice that you offered this image only as FYC i.e.,not inviting critique. So I shall not
consider you PP, or question your grain, or whether it should be there. (Grain is NOT a
a no-no to be discouraged or eliminated 100% of the time. I like it sometimes too. Also
agree with your general POV re. that a subj. should show it's environment, not be cropped
to exist without it.)
So, anyway, I was immediately struck with, wow, impact, unusual subj.presented perfectly,
with focus, definition and contrast..."all systems go"...but then the clouds not looking quite
right, even solid as whipped cream. So downloaded. Same problem. Fakey clouds, AND arranged
too perfectly to....complement?.....the outline of the arrangement of the subj.. Fix it! You're better
than that!

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

jenny wrote:

I notice that you offered this image only as FYC ... (show quote)

The clouds may be over processed but they were arranged but a power much greater than mine

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Graham Smith wrote:

The Neolithic stone circle, not the Rolling Stones.

Callanish on Lewis, the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

FYC

I have, of course, heard of Stone Henge; but I don't think I've heard of this group before. Quite interesting and the sky ads a lot of drama.
Erich

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

ebrunner wrote:

I have, of course, heard of Stone Henge; but I don't think I've heard of this group before. Quite interesting and the sky ads a lot of drama.
Erich

We have many Neolithic stone circles in the UK, two of the larger ones are Avebury in Wiltshire and Brodgar on the Orkney Isles. Stone Henge is the only one with lintels.

Here is a list of ten of the larger ones: http://www.heritagedaily.com/2015/01/10-stone-circles-britain/106318

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I think in shots like this, the grain adds to the image. Improves the feeling of bleakness to the shot, and it certainly gets bleak in the Orkneys. Never having been there myself the stones look a little closer to each other than I at first thought.

Only last a judge at a club was talking about removing a few pixels of a side of an image not cropping) to improve the main features prominence and this image brought his words back immediately.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Your processing has brought out the texture of the stones to the max, and the great clouds make the photo. Another one for the coffee table.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Graham Smith wrote:

The Neolithic stone circle, not the Rolling Stones.

Callanish on Lewis, the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

FYC

The stones, in their stark internal contrast stand in consummate contrast to the dramatically rendered tonal spectrum of the clouds.
An especially powerful image that was well-worth your waiting!

Dave

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I had to download it before it had any impact on me. But once downloaded i loved it. I love big bold clouds. Each of the stones seemed to be lighted individually. Almost light the light was painted on each stone. To me that added to the drama of the shot. In addition the grain adds to the overall effect.

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

If this is the look you wanted, you nailed it