Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: ckelly49 on July 28, 2014, 01:19:37 pm

Title: Nature's Shag Carpeting
Post by: ckelly49 on July 28, 2014, 01:19:37 pm
First post from a long time lurker.  This is a section of Lake Tiorati Brook in Harriman State Park.
Title: Re: Nature's Shag Carpeting
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on July 29, 2014, 04:05:43 am
Seems like a wonderful place to hike. To me, the photo does not work very well. I want to see more of the distant small waterfall, more trees, and fewer rocks. I think that the foreground dominates the shot too much, it ends up being a shot of the rocks.
Title: Re: Nature's Shag Carpeting
Post by: luxborealis on July 29, 2014, 07:47:49 am
Seems like a wonderful place to hike. To me, the photo does not work very well. I want to see more of the distant small waterfall, more trees, and fewer rocks. I think that the foreground dominates the shot too much, it ends up being a shot of the rocks.

I think that's the point, given the title, Paul.

I like this photograph. To me, the concept is good (although composed on a diagonal would strengthen the movement), and could be further strengthened in post-capture processing. For example, the many visual distractions disrupting the harmony of the hummocky, moss-laden rocks could be "cleaned up": the small bits of near-white rock showing through where moss has been knocked off, and the bits of white sky.  Unless they are part if the photographer's "statement", I would clone those back to moss and canopy.

Also, try brightening (slightly) and adding "micro-contrast" (Clarity in LR) to the moss-covered rocks to give them more life, whilst reducing the brightness the the canopy.

This could also make a great B&W.

Just a few ideas.
Title: Re: Nature's Shag Carpeting
Post by: ckelly49 on July 29, 2014, 12:58:08 pm
Thank you both for the replies.

Paulo:  It is a very nice and relaxing place to hike.  As lux mentions it is more about the moss covered rocks in the foreground than the waterfall and trees in the background.

lux:  I like your ideas about replacing some of the moss as well as brightening the fore and dialing the background back a bit to get the rocks to pop.
Title: Re: Nature's Shag Carpeting
Post by: David Anderson on July 29, 2014, 09:00:47 pm
Nice - very peaceful.

Being picky, on my screen it's a little murky and cold in the processing.
Still a great picture.
Title: Re: Nature's Shag Carpeting
Post by: maddogmurph on July 30, 2014, 06:04:39 pm
Meh, probably not going to make friends, but I don't care.  Boring for me.  I think the primary reason is that I'm still beneath the trees in this photograph and the reflection adds a distracting angle in the center of my vision.  The carpet is nice, and I understand what you were trying to capture.  If you could accomplish introducing the sky through the reflection more closely, and the carpet surrounding this you'd have my interest.  Please be critical of me when I post, and I'll keep my comments honest :)