i like the first one. i would fix the leveling on it, it looks like its leaning a bit to the left and then maybe play with the contrast a bit. it looks a bit flat. the composition is pretty nice though
I like the second I think the comp is perfect the line of the creek draws my eye into the mountain range. My only critique would be a boost in contrast on the highlights or possibly just using selective color the white channel to black a little. Thats all great shot and welcome to FM
I also like the composition of the second and think it could use some more contrast. I think I'd darken the foreground grasses in the process to get the mountains and their reflection to pop more. It is a neat shot and I think is open to a lot of different interpretations in post processing - keep playing with it!
As for the first I think it is an interesting composition but it is some how a bit too cluttered for my eyes. To many elements drawing them one way or another. I really don't know how to improve it as I suspect if I was out there I would have tried this same composition and can't think of a better one! Only thing I've got, which I just tried in the browser window, is a tight crop in the vertical of the rack which results in a rather narrow aspect landscape panorama framing. This cuts off the clouds at the top which sort of suck my eye out of the frame and the immediate foreground which isn't adding much.
Nice way to introduce yourself. I do like the scene in that second image - very nice reflections with the low steam rising off the creek as it meanders through the meadow. It would benefit from some tweaks in the contrast but you have a lot to work with in this one.
Welcome to FM Landscape! You have some really cool shots here. I like your creativity in #1 and I really like the composition in #2. B&W is a great choice for #2.
I look forward to seeing more of your shots in the future.
Fine opening shots. Welcome to FM Landscapes.
I like 'em both but I'm partial to the 2nd. I love the soft contrast in this scene, feels very natural. I'd prolly like it with deeper contrast, too, but this works beautifully.
Welcome to FM Landscape. Great introduction. I like both shots. I love finding shed antlers while out hiking. Do you have any other compositions using the antler? I agree with others on the second one, it could use some more contrast.
I've got several shots of some of the bigger sheds we found while we were out. I will post them tonight. We cover about 20miles or so over 3 days. It was amazing all the sheds that are out there in areas where people can't scavenge them.
The reprocessed version is fine, and I am sure that many prefer the extra contrast punch, but I find the subtle light very nice in the first B&W shot as well.
Jon
Jfarmer wrote:
The reprocessed version is fine, and I am sure that many prefer the extra contrast punch, but I find the subtle light very nice in the first B&W shot as well.
Jon
I was going to write something similar and then decided to let it go. There is no right answer to the how much is too much question, but when you increase contrast you can easily sacrifice some of the atmospheric subtleties if you aren't careful.
A friend who knew him once told me that A. Adams has said that it is easier to add contrast than to give it up after adding it - and counseled some caution about going too far, too fast.
I'm not saying that this example necessarily went too far, but the higher contrast version does result in a very different interpretation of the scene.
Take care,
Dan
It is also important to be careful about reflections, particularly when they end up brighter than the sky and mountains they reflect...
I like the first two very much. As Dan stated some of the fog coming off the water is not visible on the revision, changes the mood some. Great first post!
Nice shots and a great way to start. That is a tough one on the BnW, on one hand I like the soft tones of the first version, but then I like the sharp look of the second....if I had to chose I would go with the second version. Looks like you are shed hunting already...
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the input from all, I think I may get both printed and choose from there.
We found countless sheds in the back country, some were quite large, they are illegal to remove from federal grounds so they stayed in the wild for all the wild things to enjoy
Sometime a key to BW processing that preserves some of the subtlety and makes things more full of light involves some of the following:
1. Work with curves.
2. Work separately on sections of the image rather than on the whole thing or big parts of it.
3. Always (almost) work towards lightening things, but don't lose the dark tones where they are needed.
4. Be careful about sacrificing beautiful, subtle gradations as you do all of this.
] Looking forward to some C&C.