Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Linda's post http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-383679-1.html made me decide to post this image as I only took it because of the light. I have often been compelled to photograph a scene that had zero reason other than the light.

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The photo appeared a little too light on these pages, so I lowered the brightness on my Chromebook to get a better sense of the moment.

Lovely contrasts between the greens and browns, nicely balanced composition with the closer trees on each side. A reminder of walks in the Maine woods where there is absolute silence and a clean, pine scent.

Thank you, Rich!

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

One of life's challenges! I calibrate my monitor for color on a regular basis but there seems to be no standard for brightness. The day I can set my brightness to a standard I'll be a happy man!
Thank you for your critique, it is welcome and appreciated.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Ever since Minnie mentioned the "mustard yellow" pages of UHH being a terrible choice for a photo forum, I have noticed the black screen of my Chromebook photo viewer, as well as color choices of a couple of other forums, as being sooo much better!

And someone wrote on UHH recently that their monitor was seeing a turquoise background here :)

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I have very often taken pictures of light, so I understand. Sometimes that darned light is so beautiful we have to run off the road, or we scare our driver witless yelling at them to stop. I see what attracted you here. You could actually probably get a share thread out of such a concept. I bet a lot of us landscape folks are familiar with the phenomenon you are describing.

Of course it is hard to take a picture of light, and harder still to process it properly, but it looks like you've done pretty well here.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Its a very scene beautifully captured indeed.
But a question is raised in how do you think a camera can record light? The human eye is a supreme piece of engineering the camera sensor is a very crude device when compared. The sensor registers and reacts to the brightness of a scene surely? This is stored as a series of numbers in a Raw file which Camera Raw or similar translate it into an image. Generally the image is then subjected to more software operations and the "light" is adjusted in each stage. Light can be introduced or controlled with software.
So in these days of exceptionally clever software packages cameras with increased dynamic range you can take a shot like this at any time you like and make it look as if it was taken at a totally different time of day.
So who is kidding who when they claim to "take pictures of light" or worse still think the camera can actually
"capture light".
Good light makes getting a good snap easier but in no way will it exactly mimic what you saw. That's why God gave us Photoshop or similar.
None of this takes away from the fact you have posted a very fine snap that anyone would be proud of.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Cool idea! What do you think, Rich? Up for it? :) I can think of several folks on UHH who have produced stunning images where light was the star of the show.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Even better if we get em to adjust the light in software to suit circumstances or various times of day using filters etc.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Yes, the yellow is a bit different but then when you click on a "download" things do get better.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Billy, at this point in my life my camera's sensor most likely does a much better job than my eyes :) Still, I try to capture (going along for the moment with your thought) the 'effects of the light' and process using another of God's gifts, what my mental impression of the scene was.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I could be but, what is a shared thread and what would I need to be up for?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

LOL - sounds like you have experience with asking pertinent questions prior to volunteering :)

We've been using "share thread" as shorthand for themed topics that invite participation (photos and discussion) from other members. My "thinking in black and white" series and the recent one on flowers are examples.

But we don't host it alone; these are collaborations with other members so that there are several folks available with expertise, to help offer feedback.

I'll pm you with more info. Also, I noticed that next week's book club has a "pay attention to the light" theme, so that could bring some ideas.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I am not seeing the light before the trees. To explain, there is so much going on in this image that it obscures the intent and distracts. I believe you could have captured the light and still composed the image. You might have found a foreground element and shot from a different perspective other than eye level and simplified.

I did notice a blue spot/color cast in the top left. Not sure if that was a polarizer or not but it is there.

Linda's image is so much different in many aspects, soft light, simple imagery.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Confused again. I cannot see the light before the trees either but please someone show me an image where I can see the light?
And how does one capture it?
Im looking out of my windows at home into searingly bright tropical light. Im sure you would enjoy some so just let me know how I capture it and Ill send it right along. Plastic bag or screw top jar maybe?