Swamp Music/Spring Concert (Page 2): Thanks Erik, that is why I like shooting on this side, it is less cluttered. But swamps are challenging . Do you follow the work of David Chauvin?

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Erik_H wrote:

Beautiful job Min, I never can seem to get any descent swamp shots. They always look too cluttered.

Thanks Erik, that is why I like shooting on this side, it is less cluttered. But swamps are challenging . Do you follow the work of David Chauvin? He is my favorite swamp photographer, I think he's from around LaPlace. His work is just about perfect to me.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Billyspad wrote:

Love the processing min. For me a little more impact and interest is required so probably I'm in the bring in an egret crowd. Getting any impact from a bunch of trees and a pond is extremely difficult but you do it better than most that's for sure.

I may get an egret in there. But hey, what can I say, swamp is what I've got, so I try to make do. I did have to add my dam bird project for variety, and may capture one of them to bring over here.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

minniev wrote:

Thanks Erik, that is why I like shooting on this side, it is less cluttered. But swamps are challenging . Do you follow the work of David Chauvin? He is my favorite swamp photographer, I think he's from around LaPlace. His work is just about perfect to me.

Thanks for the link. I can see why you like his work.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

The image is wonderfully lit and nicely processed. I would have considered a foreground element. The tree on the left, which is too close to the edge, creating tension, could be that element. I would consider having it move to the right and up front. It also contains the brightest part of the image which is always where our eyes are drawn too. That being said, I would have ideally placed the brightest part of the image along the right side so that our eyes move clear across the image for a full experience. Again that would be ideal but may not have been possible.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

minniev wrote:

Thanks Erik, that is why I like shooting on this side, it is less cluttered. But swamps are challenging . Do you follow the work of David Chauvin? He is my favorite swamp photographer, I think he's from around LaPlace. His work is just about perfect to me.

Min, I took a look at Mr. Chauvins' work and it's stunning to say the least. Thanks for the tip! I guess i really need to get back out there and work on my swamp technique :)

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

minniev wrote:

I don't think I could stand one in a tree though, the feet would be a real trick. Frank, now, might could do that...

You have done well with the composition minniev. The diagonal of trunks meeting water from left to right along with use of darker to brighter light from left to right draws the eye thought the entire frame. I would consider a crop up from the bottom to strengthen the diagonal trunks but understand your wanting the blue sky reflection. I feel your Lars treatment could be a bit stronger if possible. Since my name was mentioned I borrowed a pirogue from the net.

(Download)

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Consider eliminating the tree on the left. I know, it is hard but in doing that you will bring the boat into focus. You will create an immediate draw to the right side and the boat which becomes the point/mid ground. The two trees surrounding the boat will provide foreground and a good frame.

As composed, the boat is almost lost. You might want to consider some creative techniques to brighten the boat. All very interesting.

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

Me inserting objects is sorta of an old inside joke from a while back. I did not want the boat to stand out actually, and darkened it a bit to try and match the light back there. Thank you very much Mark for your concern and well thought out critique. minniev would not mind seeing your version at all, so have at it. Welcome to the section.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Here is my thoughts ...

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

Is there such a thing as a pretty swamp...I guess there is!
Nicely done..

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Mark7829 wrote:

Here is my thoughts ...

Mark's version is serene and intimate. Amazing how different it looks without the large tree on left.

Unfortunately, the intimacy is also a little claustrophobic for me, so I did a quick crop of Minnie's original, to see how looks with tree removed (and a bit shaved from foreground), but height in background retained.

Looking forward to hearing Minnie's responses to all. Good to see you in the forum, Mark!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

minniev wrote:

Thank you RG, it was wonderful late day light, but I used the heck out of Photoshop to get more from it.

It's taken me till now (better late than never) to realise that you seem to have softened the background and left the closer stuff un-softened and detailed - much in the style that we discussed previously.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

minniev wrote:

Anybody remember my feverish work on figuring out ... (show quote)

Hi, Min...
I do like this, as well as essentially all of your swamp images. There is good depth back beyond the trees supplied by the brighter BG.

With or without birds, turtles, snakes, or gators, I'd really like to see a real panorama effort maintaining this height of view...you up for that? I'm thinking that close as you are to the trees a hand-held pano probably would run into parallax problems.

Dave

Dave

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Mark7829 wrote:

The image is wonderfully lit and nicely processed.... (show quote)

Hi and welcome to FYC. Thanks a bunch for the thoughtful feedback and I look forward to hearing from you more! Those ideas about using the light to lead the eye through the image are very helpful and I'll give it a whirl. I also have others from this shoot that may be a bit more like that with the big tree better placed.I actually was trying to match the composition to the one that is linked from winter, but I guessed wrong on site. I wanted a matched pair and missed it:(.

Lots of my images come from this same swamp and it may help you help me if you know something about it - This is taken from a long low footbridge where I can move in an E-W direction but nothing else.The best afternoon light is looking north. The larger tree on the left edge is shortly after I get onto the bridge. Best foreground elements (cool cypress knees) are in the portion looking south, where light is best early AM. If you hang around here, you'll get sick of the swamp pictures, I get stuck on favorite areas and work them to death.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Erik_H wrote:

Min, I took a look at Mr. Chauvins' work and it's stunning to say the least. Thanks for the tip! I guess i really need to get back out there and work on my swamp technique :)

And come back & share your photos!