Aerial Abstract

[bobtowery]

I really enjoy creating abstracts.  I went flying yesterday and when I saw this scene come into view I thought it would make a good abstract.  After cropping to get rid of the wing, and some rotation, I have this image.  Shot in California, between Napa and Sacramento.   I'm always trying to improve my "photographic eye" hoping that someday I will come close to Michael R, this image seems like a step in the right direction.

Bob Towery
http://bobtowery.typepad.com

[walter.sk]

I really enjoy creating abstracts.  I went flying yesterday and when I saw this scene come into view I thought it would make a good abstract.  After cropping to get rid of the wing, and some rotation, I have this image.  Shot in California, between Napa and Sacramento.   I'm always trying to improve my "photographic eye" hoping that someday I will come close to Michael R, this image seems like a step in the right direction.

Bob Towery
http://bobtowery.typepad.com

Nice!  It is reminiscent of the veins in a leaf, and it is not immediately clear as to what is being seen.  Good composition.  Were you piloting the airplane as well as shooting?

[bobtowery]

Nice!  It is reminiscent of the veins in a leaf, and it is not immediately clear as to what is being seen.  Good composition.  Were you piloting the airplane as well as shooting?

Actually, the autopilot was flying at the time!  We were doing an instrument flight simulation.  But in any case, I was not the pilot.  It's a good friend, I go about once every six weeks or so with him.

Thanks for the compliment on the composition.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Very nice indeed, Bob!

[Colorwave]

Awesome composition.  Love the colors, too.  These are rice fields, right?  What are the lighter shapes in the upper right quarter of the shot?  Is it tule fog?  Reflections?  Unusual shapes that don't seem very cloud like.  I think it would also make a strong image if you cropped the top and a tiny snip from the bottom, leaving the remainder as a perfect square format.

[bobtowery]

Thanks Eric and Ron for your comments.  I'm really happy with this composition too!


The ghosting in the upper right is in fact a reflection on the plexiglass I'm shooting through.  I thought about trying to deal with it, but to be honest I try to not spend so much time in post anymore.  In the past, I haven't been that successful with the reflections.  Maybe I'll play with it.

But it's easy to give the square format a try as you suggested:



Just for fun, here is the original, as I saw it from the plane:



Between the haze and the plexiglass, the untouched colors in the image were not too exciting.

Bob T
http://bobtowery.typepad.com

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

The "ghosting" reminds me of my one ride in a glider a few years back. The pilot was wearing a zebra-striped shirt, and the reflection showed up in every single shot I took.  Aaaargh!!!

[Jeremy Roussak]

Thanks Eric and Ron for your comments.  I'm really happy with this composition too!
Just for fun, here is the original, as I saw it from the plane:

I think you can feel very pleased with yourself for spotting the image that was lying in wait inside the original!

Jeremy