Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Hi Dennis,

First, I want to ask you a question- what format are you shooting in and what software do you use for post processing? In a scene like this, you can get so much more out of it by shooting RAW and then using a program like Photoshop to process the RAW file. The great aspect of shooting RAW is that you can work the highlights/whites and shadows/blacks separately. If you can do this, you would see much greater detail and it would bring an already good shot to the next level. If you shot this in JPEG and have Photoshop, you can work with this by going to FILE>CAMERA RAW FILTER (SHIFT+CTRL+A) on a Mac, it is Command rather than CTRL. Anyway, you can do SOME of the things that can be done with a RAW file, but not to the fullest extent. Shooting RAW is a higher quality level and allows much more adjustments to the items mentioned, plus sharpness, color vibrancy and lens correction(s). In my classes, I only allow my students to shooting in RAW format and they are instructed in really intense post-processing using the Adobe RAW converter, which allows full post-processing in one convenient location. The reason for mentioning this is that this is a highly contrasty scene that is controllable in post work. If you would like me to take the image and do some post work on it to illustrate my discussion here, let me know and I will.

Now, as far as the image itself goes, the composition is lovely and I love the leading line that forms a small s-curve at the top of the stairs. Really well seen, I think. The pattern within the stairs is nice as well and since you had a grandchild with you, why not get them to walk up the stairs and shoot a photo or two while they do? This breaks up the pattern and adds that human element to an already pretty scene. The trees are just right as well and add a lot to the scene while "framing" the stairs, which is the "thing" in this particular scene. In photo and video, there is a thing called "Hitchcock's Rule". In Alfred Hitchcock's movies, the largest single thing in the shot was what the shot was about. The composition also has good "z-axis" meaning that it has good width, height and with the stairs going back into the scene itself, a bit of depth, too. All very good compositionally.

In my humble opinion, if you work on the post processing, this is a wall-hanger. Any questions, please feel free to ask and I will be happy to help.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thank you so much for taking a look and for offering some positive comments. Much appreciated my friend.

As for the comments I agree completely EXCEPT I shoot in JPEG and not RAW. My processing program is simply the one provided with Apple Photos so I am limited as to what I can do. I can lighten or darken the entire photo but not one part of the photo.

I would love to take my granddaughter there again but the area is up the coast from where I live and she will be leaving soon to go back to Pittsburgh. Maybe next year.

You have given me cause to wonder if a friend who is a retired professional photographer and who does have and uses Photoshop might work on my photo. I may send him the photo and provide him with your comments. If I can do that I will get back to the group with results.

I have to say when my granddaughter was with me I had about worn her out with photos. At 12 she wants to do HER thing. I did get one I really liked but that was long before the steps came up as a photographic subject.

Thanks for you comments,

Dennis

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

I had Photoshop in mind.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

That is a great idea IF I get my friend to take a look at the photo.

Thanks for the interest.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

While I appreciate your good will I don’t appreciate you posting my photo with your changes.

Dennis

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Won't happen again, I assure you. Have asked mods to delete it.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thank you.

Dennis

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi. Dennis,
I like the concept and composition. If I had my druthers , though, I’d relieve the stark shadow contrast a bit with a touch of more shadow detail.

Dave

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thanks for the druthers Dave. Haven’t heard that expression in some time. I appreciate the suggestion.

Dennis

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep..." Nice photo.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thank you very much flyboy61.

Dennis

National Park

Nice composition. Perhaps lighten the shadows just a bit? I wonder how this would look if photographed in less contrast conditions such as a cloudy day.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thanks for the comment. Next time I am up that way I will give your suggestion a try IF the weather provides me with a cloudy day.

Dennis

R.G. Loc: Scotland

IMO path shots work best when the eye can follow the path into the distance, and it usually works well if the vanishing point is brighter than the surroundings.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

A good point.

Dennis