The View from the Path: I recently discovered that Glen Muick (don't let the name put you off) is a hub for hillwalkers, and it's an access point for a network of paths leading through...

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I recently discovered that Glen Muick (don't let the name put you off) is a hub for hillwalkers, and it's an access point for a network of paths leading through some of the hills in the Cairngorm area.

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Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

A beautiful setting but it looks like it would be rugged walking much of the way!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Cwilson341 wrote:

A beautiful setting but it looks like it would be rugged walking much of the way!

Thanks for commenting, CW. Some of the paths literally go up the side of the hills and others are much rougher than what you can see here. If you look closely you should be able to see a path going steeply up out of the glen. It's about a quarter of the way in from the left. According to a hillwalker that I met, it's called the Streak of Lightning (or something like that). The white line about a third of the way in from the right is a river.

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

A scene wonderfully rendered R.G. The foreground left leading in and right frames to take you all the way through the image, from path, to birds, to home owner in front of the house, then up the river canyon, and out the hilltops to exit, makes for great composition.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I agree with Frank that the composition is wonderful: the hill on left and the tree on right make a very nice frame to lead us into this gentle, understated scene.

However, the first thing that caught my eye was the ultra-bright foreground puddles - and coming back for a second look, they still trouble me, lol.

Andrea.Jarrell Loc: Mount Airy, NC

I too like the overall composition of this image but I think what stood out the most for me is the muted colors. Even though I know it is very rugged country I still find it to be rather peaceful looking.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Thirds rule works well for me on this. Typical Scotland, a little bit of sun playing on the heather would make this unrecognisable, but the muted colours show it as most of us see it. I take it recently discovered meant before midge season.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

This is a wonderful day and it is beautiful. But the composition lacks a focal point and a foreground element for an anchor. The tree to the right could serve as the focal point and foreground but it is cropped. It could serve as a frame but to what, I am not sure. The rocks on the right could but they are non-descriptive. The path could serve as a lead but disappears too quickly to the left. The colors are quite muted and the image a bit over sharpened as there are halos on the mountain ridges. Sorry, I think there is a shot here but this one is not it. Just my opinion.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Frank2013 wrote:

A scene wonderfully rendered R.G. The foreground left leading in and right frames to take you all the way through the image, from path, to birds, to home owner in front of the house, then up the river canyon, and out the hilltops to exit, makes for great composition.

Thank you Frank. I think your rambling approach is just right for this kind of image. I think you'd have done well to spot the house, never mind the person out front

.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Linda From Maine wrote:

I agree with Frank that the composition is wonderful: the hill on left and the tree on right make a very nice frame to lead us into this gentle, understated scene.

However, the first thing that caught my eye was the ultra-bright foreground puddles - and coming back for a second look, they still trouble me, lol.

Thank you Linda. The framing is what the composition was all about. That and having the path leading out into open space. The puddles are probably the only part of the image that didn't get any processing. You're right - they are bright, but I knew from experience that almost any attempt to subdue them would have them looking processed (and not in a good way). I like to get my processing in under the radar as much as possible.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Andrea.Jarrell wrote:

I too like the overall composition of this image but I think what stood out the most for me is the muted colors. Even though I know it is very rugged country I still find it to be rather peaceful looking.

Thank you Andrea. I'm glad I can post to people who appreciate the occasional need for restrained processing. You're right - there is a peaceful side to the atmosphere at times like this, and processing with a light hand is the best way to bring that out.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

John N wrote:

Thirds rule works well for me on this. Typical Scotland, a little bit of sun playing on the heather would make this unrecognisable, but the muted colours show it as most of us see it.

Thanks for commenting, John. I've been told several times in the past that grey skies and subdued colouring are what's expected from Scottish landscapes. I'm glad it's seen that way

. It's very much how artists in the past have portrayed Scotland and the Lake District.

John N wrote:

I take it recently discovered meant before midge season.

Somebody forgot to tell the midges about "midge season" lol. They weren't too bad beside the loch, but later I photographed a waterfall and word got out about the free lunch on offer. Maybe they know that when they see a tripod the photographer's going to be around for a while

.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

R.G. wrote:

... I like to get my processing in under the radar as much as possible.

I respect your subtlety and your viewpoint, R.G.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Mark7829 wrote:

This is a wonderful day and it is beautiful. But ... (show quote)

Glad you found it beautiful, Mark. There have been various discussions in the past about whether landscape shots need a focus point or a main subject. I'm of the opinion that the scenery as a whole is the main subject, and I was quite happy to have a bit of framing and a suggestion of a leading line (the path and beyond that the shore of the loch), leaving the viewer to find their own way around. I didn't notice the halo till you mentioned it, and even then I had to zoom in on it a bit. I think it's probably a result of my brush work rather than over-sharpening.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Linda From Maine wrote:

I respect your subtlety and your viewpoint, R.G.

I'm glad you didn't point out that I don't always succeed in getting it in under the radar

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