Pink Lake, Framed, On A Gloomy Day: Another technique I experimented with in Quebec was using trees, plants, weeds and anything else I could as framing devices. This was a matter of...

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Another technique I experimented with in Quebec was using trees, plants, weeds and anything else I could as framing devices. This was a matter of self defense, as I seldom found a clean shot of any body of water, and some other areas were stubborn too about yielding up open vistas. This was complicated by my limited ability to scramble as I usually do.

So tell me what you think of how this one came out, and of this kind of framing in general.

(Download)

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

A pleasant scene...I could go two ways here, clone a bit across the top or clone it away...something about the one clump of leaves top. For me I think each image has to be looked at on it's own, some natural framing such as you have here works fine while others distract from the subject...

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I think you need to be wary of having the framing too attention-grabbing. If it's too much quantity-wise or too vivid it'll compete with the scene beyond.

Despite the fact that I've used natural framing a lot, I'm a long way from feeling that I've exhausted the possibilities. Like leading lines and the like, it's a useful composition element that isn't going out of fashion any time soon.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Frank2013 wrote:

A pleasant scene...I could go two ways here, clone a bit across the top or clone it away...something about the one clump of leaves top. For me I think each image has to be looked at on it's own, some natural framing such as you have here works fine while others distract from the subject...

Thanks Frank. That's kind of a spindly clump at the top, you may be right.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

R.G. wrote:

I think you need to be wary of having the framing too attention-grabbing. If it's too much quantity-wise or too vivid it'll compete with the scene beyond.

Despite the fact that I've used natural framing a lot, I'm a long way from feeling that I've exhausted the possibilities. Like leading lines and the like, it's a useful composition element that isn't going out of fashion any time soon.

I had a bit of practice at it on the trip, sometimes for lack of any other option. Before I'm done with these, you'll see some more worrisome than this one!

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I like all the bright colors and the framing but I feel that the clouds and water are too dark and not cohesive in respect of brightness and color. I took your picture and brightened your sky and added a bit of blue. For the Lake I did the same but with a smaller amount. For me it brought the picture all together without looking over processed. I will post if you would like to see the results.
--Jim

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Jim-Pops wrote:

I like all the bright colors and the framing but I feel that the clouds and water are too dark and not cohesive in respect of brightness and color. I took your picture and brightened your sky and added a bit of blue. For the Lake I did the same but with a smaller amount. For me it brought the picture all together without looking over processed. I will post if you would like to see the results.
--Jim

I'm always interested in seeing edits. Post away!

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

minniev wrote:

I'm always interested in seeing edits. Post away!

Here it is. What do you think?
--Jim

(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

minniev wrote:

Another technique I experimented with in Quebec was using trees, plants, weeds and anything else I could as framing devices. This was a matter of self defense, as I seldom found a clean shot of any body of water, and some other areas were stubborn too about yielding up open vistas. This was complicated by my limited ability to scramble as I usually do.

So tell me what you think of how this one came out, and of this kind of framing in general.

I think the sky and the reflections are very nice. The framing on the left, bottom and most of the right side works very nicely and looks great. The top right corner to me looks disjointed. We can't really tell what those branches are attached to and I think They could be cloned out. You are definitely on the right track using natural framing for shots like these. I think it "finishes" a photo and is more appealing than just the water and the background. That, of course, is completely subjective.
Erich

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Jim-Pops wrote:

Here it is. What do you think?
--Jim

For me the benefit is in the stronger colours in the lake and trees. The distant scene needed a boost to compete with the vivid framing elements of the foreground.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Jim-Pops wrote:

Here it is. What do you think?
--Jim

Quite nice and a little less ominous..

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

ebrunner wrote:

I think the sky and the reflections are very nice.... (show quote)

Thanks Erich. Frank had suggested adding some foliage up there to fill in the empty spot, either option may work. There's gonna be more of this type. Last time I was in this area I was flummoxed by not being able to get to the shore so this time I tried framing as a different solution.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

R.G. wrote:

For me the benefit is in the stronger colours in the lake and trees. The distant scene needed a boost to compete with the vivid framing elements of the foreground.

Agree about the colors. I wished for a nice bright red maple on the distant shore but no, none available.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I love to frame a shot when possible, but it's very hard to get it just right. I like your framing here, good separation, in focus, nice and balanced for the scene in my opinion. Just a few quirks, the framing is richer in color which steals your eyes from the intended target, and I wouldn't want to see it washed out. It's also a tad brighter,( some parts are) again pulling your eye away. If you darken the edges just a tad, that tends to saturated these colors more, maybe tone down just a hair and then bring the intended target up to the same level at least. Even making the clouds a tad whiter and brighter should draw you in.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

martinfisherphoto wrote:

I love to frame a shot when possible, but it's ver... (show quote)

Those are all good ideas, thanks!The fog impacted a lot of what you're seeing, and I had that trouble with all the images that day. I was glad when it lifted enough for me to see the other sides of the lakes, but I still had the effect of the fog on the distant foliage and discrepancies between water and sky. I did some mitigating but maybe should have gone further. I try to be careful because I'm prone to overdo at times.