Wondering about the dark areas
Nov 29, 2013 14:58:45 #
Hi, Next month is a color competition at our local club. I'm thinking about submitting this photo. First I'm wondering if it holds any interest. the other question I have concerns the dark areas. Are they too dark and devoid of detail. Are they distracting? Any and all comments welcome. If you are so inclined, please go ahead and post anything that you feel is an improvement. Thanks. I'm not certain; but I think I posted this photo already; but definitely not in this section.
sunset on lake in the Pine Barrens
Nov 29, 2013 15:28:04 #
ebrunner wrote:
It does for me. ... First I'm wondering if it holds any interest.
Quote:
I don't think so. The trees have a lot of detail in the center 2/3's of the photo and gradually get darker with less detail towards the edge. Along with the very dark fallen log cutting across the mirror like reflection, I think they provide great contrast to the whole image. Meanwhile, the dark cloud reflection in the lower right has great detail throughout. the other question I have concerns the dark areas. Are they too dark and devoid of detail. Are they distracting?
Quote:
Some may want more punch in the colors, but I like the gentle pastels. A lot of beautiful sunsets like this one are subtle rather than bold. The pale blue brightens in the center, just shy of being washed out. The dark clouds have a nice soft touch of color. A great exposure. I also like the composition of the fallen log and the lower left foreground details. Any and all comments welcome. ...
Thanks for posting, and good luck at the club.
Nov 29, 2013 15:29:26 #
I love silhouettes! With the way that log is positioned in the water, I wonder if this crop would balance better - and serve to emphasize the remaining elements?
I definitely wouldn't punch up the color :)
I definitely wouldn't punch up the color :)
Nov 29, 2013 17:19:28 #
I think the only dark bit you should worry about is the dark cloud reflection in the lower RHS corner. Can you selectively brighten and contrast using brushes?
I tried reducing the size of the cloud reflection by cropping a bit off the bottom, but the log (?) coming in from the bottom LHS corner doesn't emerge from the corner if you do that.
I tried reducing the size of the cloud reflection by cropping a bit off the bottom, but the log (?) coming in from the bottom LHS corner doesn't emerge from the corner if you do that.
Nov 29, 2013 17:27:47 #
Gauss wrote:
Some may want more punch in the colors, but I like the gentle pastels. A lot of beautiful sunsets like this one are subtle rather than bold. The pale blue brightens in the center, just shy of being washed out. The dark clouds have a nice soft touch of color. A great exposure. I also like the composition of the fallen log and the lower left foreground details.
Thanks for posting, and good luck at the club.
Thanks for posting, and good luck at the club.
Thank you for your in depth comments. I tend to agree that the clouds are correctly exposed. The colors are fine for me as well. I don't need to be bombarded by color; besides, that is not what I saw that night. I appreciate you taking a look. I think I'll submit it. Thanks again.
Nov 29, 2013 17:29:27 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
I love silhouettes! With the way that log is positioned in the water, I wonder if this crop would balance better - and serve to emphasize the remaining elements?
I definitely wouldn't punch up the color :)
I definitely wouldn't punch up the color :)
Thank you for your suggested crop. I like it. I am going to leave the color the way it is. Great to see this image through your eyes, Linda. Much appreciated.
Nov 29, 2013 17:30:54 #
R.G. wrote:
I think the only dark bit you should worry about is the dark cloud reflection in the lower RHS corner. Can you selectively brighten and contrast using brushes?
I tried reducing the size of the cloud reflection by cropping a bit off the bottom, but the log (?) coming in from the bottom LHS corner doesn't emerge from the corner if you do that.
I tried reducing the size of the cloud reflection by cropping a bit off the bottom, but the log (?) coming in from the bottom LHS corner doesn't emerge from the corner if you do that.
Good point about the cloud in the lower right. I might be able to bring it out a bit. I'll work on that. I agree with you that the log should emerge from the corner to make it a viable leading line. Thank you so much.
Nov 29, 2013 17:35:32 #
ebrunner wrote:
Hi, Next month is a color competition at our local club. I'm thinking about submitting this photo. First I'm wondering if it holds any interest. the other question I have concerns the dark areas. Are they too dark and devoid of detail. Are they distracting? Any and all comments welcome. If you are so inclined, please go ahead and post anything that you feel is an improvement. Thanks. I'm not certain; but I think I posted this photo already; but definitely not in this section.
There is detail in the shadows. They are not blocked up, you have a hint of trees/leaves/bushes to tell the viewer what's hidden in the semi-silhouettes.I like the log on the left, which forms a kind of leading line. The right side shadow area, as noted in a prior response, is a little dark and might could be opened up some. I have a very similar image shot in Grand Teton that I submitted to a different critique forum & though I got comments about things I could do better, no one faulted the dark trees contrasting with the light (but intact) sky with the hint of color & reflection in front.
Good luck on your competition!
Nov 29, 2013 17:40:28 #
Nov 30, 2013 02:20:06 #
ebrunner wrote:
Hi, Next month is a color competition at our local club. I'm thinking about submitting this photo. First I'm wondering if it holds any interest. the other question I have concerns the dark areas. Are they too dark and devoid of detail. Are they distracting? Any and all comments welcome. If you are so inclined, please go ahead and post anything that you feel is an improvement. Thanks. I'm not certain; but I think I posted this photo already; but definitely not in this section.
The dark areas are fine. Enlarging them ans seeing the reflections of the trees in the water is impressive. And you have captured the nature of the weather wirh remarkable skill. I'm not sure how you feel about the large reed; it may be important to the context/mood/story as you see it. It drew my attention away from the trees, skyline and sky. Here's my vizualization of the scene; I hope you are not offended my my de-reeding. (Some people claim that there should be a restraining order to keep me away from crop tools!)
Nov 30, 2013 09:38:40 #
Mogul wrote:
The dark areas are fine. Enlarging them ans seein... (show quote)
I think your crop is very interesting. It does cut out the log that made a nice diagonal. I would almost say leading line; but it does not really lead anywhere. Thank you for your efforts, I'll give them some considerable attention.
Nov 30, 2013 10:38:58 #
ebrunner wrote:
Hi, Next month is a color competition at our local club. I'm thinking about submitting this photo. First I'm wondering if it holds any interest. the other question I have concerns the dark areas. Are they too dark and devoid of detail. Are they distracting? Any and all comments welcome. If you are so inclined, please go ahead and post anything that you feel is an improvement. Thanks. I'm not certain; but I think I posted this photo already; but definitely not in this section.
Nice.
I was thinking a little crop to put the horizon on the thirds line and let the log bring you (relatively) further into the pic.
Kinda like this.
You could even darken the trees more to make a full silhouette and it would be even better. I did that on one of the Tetons at my club last week and they loved it.
(PS: I feel you need to keep the foreground reed and the leading line of the tree.)
Nov 30, 2013 17:31:29 #
MtnMan wrote:
Nice.
I was thinking a little crop to put the horizon on the thirds line and let the log bring you (relatively) further into the pic.
Kinda like this.
You could even darken the trees more to make a full silhouette and it would be even better. I did that on one of the Tetons at my club last week and they loved it.
(PS: I feel you need to keep the foreground reed and the leading line of the tree.)
I was thinking a little crop to put the horizon on the thirds line and let the log bring you (relatively) further into the pic.
Kinda like this.
You could even darken the trees more to make a full silhouette and it would be even better. I did that on one of the Tetons at my club last week and they loved it.
(PS: I feel you need to keep the foreground reed and the leading line of the tree.)
That is a great idea for a crop. I don't know why I always miss the simple horizon thing. So often my horizons end up in the middle of the frame. I agree with you about the reeds and the log. Thank you so much.
Nov 30, 2013 18:08:45 #
ebrunner wrote:
That is a great idea for a crop. I don't know why I always miss the simple horizon thing. So often my horizons end up in the middle of the frame. I agree with you about the reeds and the log. Thank you so much.
It's interesting that most people naturally want to center the main subject but also prefer looking at subjects placed at the thirds points. I don't have a theory on that one. :cry:
Nov 30, 2013 19:40:21 #
Putting it into abstract and having the water tell us the rest of the story.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.