Water adds a splash of interest
Jan 14, 2019 21:18:06 #
Winter in the Pine Barrens can be pretty bleak. Despite the name, there are a lot of leafy trees that are just bare in the winter. Because the water level was high and there was a lot of foam on the water, I decided to use a 4 second exposure (used a 6 stop ND filter). That blurred the foam on the water and gives the composition some "movement". In order to maximize a feeling of depth, I lightened the center of the photo and let the edges be a bit darker. That seemed to make it pop a bit more than the flat original. All comments are always welcome.
Nikon FM
Swema 64 black and white film rated at ASA 64
Erich
Nikon FM
Swema 64 black and white film rated at ASA 64
Erich
Jan 14, 2019 21:24:17 #
I am usually not a fan of silky water in a photo, but I think in this case it works well. I think going with B&W was the correct decision.
Jan 15, 2019 05:34:42 #
NJFrank wrote:
I am usually not a fan of silky water in a photo, but I think in this case it works well. I think going with B&W was the correct decision.
Thanks for the opinion. I agree that this subject works in black and white. Maybe in the spring, with vibrant green leaves, color would be the way to go. Thanks.
Erich
Jan 15, 2019 06:00:56 #
Black and White is good, but I think exposure might be a little to long. This could easily be seen as an icy road, and I think a second or two of the exposure might take some of the smoothness out of the flow.
Jan 15, 2019 06:21:56 #
ebrunner wrote:
.....In order to maximize a feeling of depth, I lightened the center of the photo and let the edges be a bit darker.......
Doing that reinforces the attention-channelling effect of the stream. If you'd made the far away part of the stream the brightest and most contrasty part it would have reinforced that area's role as an attention attractor.
Jan 15, 2019 08:05:33 #
I enjoyed reading the discussion of using dark and light areas to direct our eye or keep them in the frame more generally. As we know, Graham Smith is a master of dodge and burn, and probably often we're not even aware. We just feel the impact.
Erich, I had a short moment similar to John's that this could be a road - until you look carefully at the stream's edges. So for this image I'm not 100% in love with the exposure time, but I do very much like the bleak winter mood, the curve of the stream heading out of view, and your use of the darkened edges.
Erich, I had a short moment similar to John's that this could be a road - until you look carefully at the stream's edges. So for this image I'm not 100% in love with the exposure time, but I do very much like the bleak winter mood, the curve of the stream heading out of view, and your use of the darkened edges.
Jan 15, 2019 09:30:23 #
I don't love the left side. I much prefer the composition as a 4x3 to the right, and possibly with not such a heavy vignette. Aside from that, I like it a lot
Jan 15, 2019 16:25:36 #
John N wrote:
Black and White is good, but I think exposure might be a little to long. This could easily be seen as an icy road, and I think a second or two of the exposure might take some of the smoothness out of the flow.
Any time you make a long exposure, the primary concern is: What will the motion look like? You make an interesting point and I think I will be making more exposures this winter in this spot since I walk there often. Thanks.
Erich
Jan 15, 2019 16:27:08 #
R.G. wrote:
Doing that reinforces the attention-channelling effect of the stream. If you'd made the far away part of the stream the brightest and most contrasty part it would have reinforced that area's role as an attention attractor.
That is a detail that I never thought of. I do understand what you are saying. Good point.
Erich
Jan 15, 2019 16:29:50 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
I enjoyed reading the discussion of using dark and... (show quote)
I get it and it gives me a different way of looking at the photo. Glad that I go here often. I think I'll be shooting this in the late afternoon quite often this winter. The water level has dropped and it will be interesting to see what it looks like when there is not so much foam and 'stuff" on the surface. Stay tuned....
Erich
Jan 15, 2019 16:33:46 #
fergmark wrote:
I don't love the left side. I much prefer the composition as a 4x3 to the right, and possibly with not such a heavy vignette. Aside from that, I like it a lot
If I get you right, then you would want to see the photo with the curve closer to the left frame border? Is this what you are thinking?
Jan 15, 2019 17:43:44 #
Very nice work, Erich. I tend to vignette every one of my photographs to draw attention to the portion of the scene I want to feature. Your doing the same, but in reverse. It works very well.
--Bob
--Bob
ebrunner wrote:
Winter in the Pine Barrens can be pretty bleak. D... (show quote)
Jan 15, 2019 17:44:29 #
ebrunner wrote:
If I get you right, then you would want to see the photo with the curve closer to the left frame border? Is this what you are thinking?
Well, I had not cropped down from the top. Just the left. I had changed the ratio to 4x3.
Jan 15, 2019 17:58:47 #
fergmark wrote:
Well, I had not cropped down from the top. Just the left. I had changed the ratio to 4x3.
That clarifies things. As I was doing it, I was wondering if that was really what you had in mind. It occurred to me that I was keeping the aspect ratio the same if I cropped from the top corner. Sliding it over and keeping the height in the composition does make more sense. Thanks.
Erich
Jan 16, 2019 13:08:48 #
Hi, Erich,
I think Mark’s idea worked well.
Bottom line...I.M.O. you captured the mood of a waterway in the Pines at this time of year very well.
Took me back!
Puts me in mind of the outflow from a cedar swamp near Lakehurst near where I had a campsite in the 50s.
I do enjoy your images from the Pine Barrens !
Dave
I think Mark’s idea worked well.
Bottom line...I.M.O. you captured the mood of a waterway in the Pines at this time of year very well.
Took me back!
Puts me in mind of the outflow from a cedar swamp near Lakehurst near where I had a campsite in the 50s.
I do enjoy your images from the Pine Barrens !
Dave
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