Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Bob_B on April 05, 2015, 08:52:12 am

Title: Pine cones on forest floor
Post by: Bob_B on April 05, 2015, 08:52:12 am

I had a chance to take a brief hike a week ago in the Soldiers Delight serpendine grasslands reserve in Baltimore county. (http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/soldiersdelight.aspx). While spring had yet to arrive, here's one image from that trek. C&C welcomed.

Bob

Title: Re: Pine cones on forest floor
Post by: maddogmurph on April 06, 2015, 03:46:05 pm

So I like the photo, but have no idea where you'd use it and for what. But I can think of a marketing team that might be able to make a play on the pine cone theme, and it's a good composition.

Title: Re: Pine cones on forest floor
Post by: Bob_B on April 07, 2015, 09:19:03 am

Maddogmurph: Thanks for commenting. I was thinking of printing it 3x5 ft and hanging it in a nearby squirrel sanctuary ;D Just kiddin'; I don't have great aspirations for this one.

Title: Re: Pine cones on forest floor
Post by: Rory on April 07, 2015, 09:34:28 am

I really like ground scapes like this one Bob. Some thoughts on your image:

I find the composition a little disconcerting, with empty space in the upper right. I would prefer more balance in this type of shot.
I think this type of image works better in softer light, as parts of the surface of the pine cone and dead wood are a bleached white and parts of the needles and leaves are blown out.
If the image has a main subject then selective focus works, but for an image like this I prefer to see more DOF. Part of the left cone and the dead wood are out of focus.

I think what it comes down to is that (for me) this is a still life, and that implies precision and care. Your image has a snap shot look to it. Sorry if this sounds harsh, and it will be interesting to see if anyone else agrees with me.

Title: Re: Pine cones on forest floor
Post by: Bob_B on April 07, 2015, 09:44:02 am

Thanks Rory. I appreciate your comments and suggestions for improvement. They are not at all harsh, and I'll keep them in mind the next time I'm on the forest floor.

Title: Re: Pine cones on forest floor
Post by: spidermike on April 07, 2015, 10:33:57 am

It is a tricky one to call for me.
The one thing that keeps dragging my eye is the pine needle in the middle of the cone on the right - can you clone it out?

Also, I think a bit of split toning would help the cones to stand out a bit more without having to increase contrast - there is no fixed recipe but playing around until it 'works'.