Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: James Clark on October 10, 2015, 06:05:52 pm

Title: A Walk in the Woods
Post by: James Clark on October 10, 2015, 06:05:52 pm
A bit of fall color in the Santa Fe National Forest.
Title: Re: A Walk in the Woods
Post by: Tony Jay on October 10, 2015, 06:21:32 pm
James, I like the subject matter and the composition, but for me something has gone awry with either the original exposure or the post-processing, or both.
To me there is very little contrast in the foreground yet the yellow foliage in the background seems blown and also lacking definition.
I don't know for sure but a relook in Lightroom could almost certainly address these issues.

I would be very interested to see what others think.

Tony Jay
Title: Re: A Walk in the Woods
Post by: stamper on October 11, 2015, 03:54:38 am
Agreed.
Title: Re: A Walk in the Woods
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 11, 2015, 09:04:19 am
Agreed.
+1.

I think a bit lower overall contrast, with increased local contrast ("clarity") in the lighter areas would help.
Title: Re: A Walk in the Woods
Post by: DwayneOakes on October 11, 2015, 09:23:21 pm
The colors are over saturated but that is just me. Comp is very nice, love the evergreens they really
make the image and break up the color.

Dwayne Oakes
Title: Re: A Walk in the Woods
Post by: James Clark on October 13, 2015, 02:22:15 pm
Thanks for the feedback everyone - This was a laptop edit and I can see that its not working for some.. or anyone ;)   

What I was attempting was more of a painterly look, but I can see how the highlight in the gold leaves is just too much and perhaps the negative clarity applied to the foliage killed all the contrast.

I'll give this another go when I get back to my production computer.


Title: Re: A Walk in the Woods
Post by: Arlen on October 13, 2015, 03:40:14 pm
James, I think you did achieve a painterly look, which I like. Assuming that's still what you want, rather than abandoning that approach altogether, I would tone down the center highlight area somewhat as others have suggested, and maybe reduce the contrast in a few other areas. And for me, I think lightening the dark clothes of the two people and applying some more negative clarity there might enhance the mood that you are going for.