Topic: Autumn Rays (Read 2497 times)

northern chris · « **on:** November 21, 2013, 11:08:43 pm »

I haven't posted on this forum before, but lets see how this goes. This image taken on a mid-November morning as a light fog cleared. A bit of contrast enhancement was applied. Any suggestions for improving the image/composition or potential post-processing enhancements?

degrub · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2013, 11:26:07 pm »

The halos on the two tree trunks (light and dark ) are bothersome on screen. Don't know if they show on print, though. Otherwise, very nice composition, i think.

Frank

Ed Blagden · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2013, 01:42:27 am »

Nice shot.

If it was my shot I would probably fiddle about with the adjustment brush to bring out the shadows a little on the nearby tree - at the moment the tree looks too heavy for what is otherwise an ethereal scene. But then again having fiddled about I might very well decide to leave it as it is!

wolfnowl · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2013, 02:26:09 am »

Both excellent suggestions for an image with great potential.

Mike.

Harald L · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2013, 03:35:31 am »

The halo around the tree trunk is the only thing I have to criticize but this can be fixed as easily as it was created. Nice composition which expresses the mood of that scene very effective.

Harald

Jeremy Roussak · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2013, 03:52:07 am »

It's a little difficult to tell whether the light halo around the trunk on the left is an artefact or a feature of the backlighting and mist. Either way, it doesn't bother me much. I agree with Ed that lightening the tree might well improve the shot: as it stands it's a rather dark, looming presence. I like the image very much, though, even as it is.

Jeremy

northern chris · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2013, 03:53:31 am »

Thanks for the suggestions. I've attached updated images with the two suggestions incorporated.

Christoph C. Feldhaim · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2013, 04:08:04 am »

I think the second one really does it.
Since you sacrificed the shadows in it, the image really starts to breathe.
And there are still enough small dark places in it to have these tones represented.
Well done!

Rob C · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2013, 04:33:59 am »

I think the original was perfect.

You can change anything forever - it doesn't mean it always improves something, and as is often the case, first ideas can tell the emotional truth.

Rob C

Christoph C. Feldhaim · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2013, 04:46:59 am »

In the first image the tree trunk was so dark, it worked basically as a frame for the rays.
In the two edits, the tree starts having a right of its own - the texture shows up.
From a pure graphical and simplified perspective, the original might be stronger,
but I find the edits open up a differentiation beyond the simple "WOW it pops" impression I had from the first,
which to my eye now adds something of higher value.
Of course - like always - we are now in the realm of elaborated subjectivisms.

Cheers
~Chris

northern chris · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2013, 08:53:18 am »

Thanks for the comments, it is usually the subtle things that can make a difference.

RSL · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2013, 09:58:59 am »

Quote from: Rob C on November 22, 2013, 04:33:59 am

I think the original was perfect.

You can change anything forever - it doesn't mean it always improves something, and as is often the case, first ideas can tell the emotional truth.

Rob C

+1. But I don't know what Chris was seeing when he tripped the shutter. Was he seeing the tree as a frame or as a tree? In either case it's a splendid shot. But like Rob, I always tend to stick with the original image -- the one that made you trip the shutter.

ned.ward · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2013, 02:41:12 pm »

You are a tough crew, there isn't the depth of a cherubs indiscretion between them in my view. I liked the first rendering but what then became interesting was the views expressed.

Now I like them both, but the brighter one gives a slight feeling of the mother ship approaching? Although I haven't been in the woods that early or late for a while to judge properly.

Ned

davidh202 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2013, 08:44:33 pm »

I really like the B version. It still allows the tree to become somewhat of a frame, but softens it.
What I really like overall is the composition. My eye is immediately attracted to the shapes of the gnarly roots at the base of the tree, travels upward along the curve, stops only briefly to explore the two hulking trunks in the background, but continues upward in the curve to be caught by the light rays and then brought back to earth by the beams of light ...excellent
David

northern chris · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2013, 11:30:41 pm »

What made me trip the shutter were the "rays of light" (glowing water vapour) and there just happened to be trees there to provide the visual boundaries. Thanks for the comments as I believe the image is now improved.

Jeremy Roussak · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2013, 12:30:19 pm »

Quote from: northern chris on November 22, 2013, 11:30:41 pm

What made me trip the shutter were the "rays of light" (glowing water vapour) and there just happened to be trees there to provide the visual boundaries. Thanks for the comments as I believe the image is now improved.

FWIW, so do I.

Jeremy

wolfnowl · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2013, 02:02:49 am »

Me too. The bottom of the three images is excellent.

Mike.

RSL · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2013, 07:40:45 am »

Quote from: kikashi on November 23, 2013, 12:30:19 pm

FWIW, so do I.

+1

Dave (Isle of Skye) · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2013, 07:23:08 pm »

How odd, I commented on this image when it was first posted, but checking back now my post has disappeared, or perhaps never appeared, who knows, but anyway, great shot and excellent use of the available light.

I did mention the halos in my previous post, but now you have even fixed that small nitpick in the updated image, so all I can do is reiterate by saying once again - great shot!

Dave

northern chris · « **Reply #19 on:** November 25, 2013, 10:33:59 am »

Many thanks, it was a good suggestions.

Author Topic: Autumn Rays (Read 2497 times)