John Roach
June 2018 - A Scene at Occoneechee State Park, North Carolina.
About the Image(s)
How I did It: I captured this image on a mostly overcast drizzly mid-April day on my trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. I made the image with my Nikon D750 with 24-120mm f4 at 24mm, ISO 500, 1/30s, f/13, -0.7 EV, Aperture Priority, Lightroom. This would be the view out the back of the plantation home if it was still standing. The only thing left of the original plantation are low surface foundation stones. As a State Park, the path is different from the 18th and 19th century walk, but the description indicates it pretty much kept to the original extension of the walk way that vanishing nicely in the dense trees. This State Park is located near Clarksville, Virginia near the North Carolina border. I attempted to capture the bright and darks as my eye saw it.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
15 comments posted
What a magical place. The path provides a wonderful leading line that beckons. Upon enlargement the image is somewhat soft, but you have captured the feeling of an early and rainy Spring day. The wildflower display is lovely. Posted: 06/05/2018 11:26:53
(Group 95)
You can never go wrong with a path for a leading line. This is a soothing, pleasant image, with nice composition. It looks sharp to me, but since again, it seems dark on my screen, I think it is my monitor that needs adjusting, not your image. Otherwise, maybe use luminousity on the greens, reds and yellows?
Posted: 06/05/2018 17:08:04
Posted: 06/05/2018 17:08:04
I agree with the other comments. Opening the shadows a bit might be worth trying. I can imagine all types of subjects. What's interesting to me is that the image makes me imagine someone walking away from the camera, down the path. I wonder if most people would imagine that or coming toward the point of view. It's that missing subject that works for me with this image as it causes me to interact with the image and not just look at it. Posted: 06/06/2018 17:24:51
I felt a personal connection to your image, John. Spring is my favorite season, and finding a path through a forest is a delight. The myriad flowers along the path call for attention. The path takes my eye through the image. Your colors seem true to nature. Opening shadows a small amount would keep your rainy feeling while showing the tree trunks a bit more. I think the rainy day feeling would not be compromised. Posted: 06/10/2018 06:31:44
(Group 64)
Thanks for the thoughts! So the question is, if one wants to be true to the scene, put their artistry to it with certain digital darkroom techniques, is it that important to open shadows that even the eye couldn't see? Just asking.
BTW, I opened shadows about as far as I wanted to go in what I submitted. From my perspective doing it more starts to make the scene look unnatural (i.e., tree trunks that are deep in the woods dark that are totally in shade)....so where does one leave off and satisfy all or should I just satisfy myself.
Such is our dilemma; such is my dilemma. When it gets to finessing images to certain points I start to find the discussion hard to participate in and I don't know what to say, so don't do it often, as you may notice. I am even thinking of opting out of the entire process. I am in three study groups, facilitate two of them and am starting to wonder if all of this really matters (isn't amazing how we go full circle), because everyone will do it different and because it is a study group there is an expectation to say something that demonstrates that even if in the long haul, it doesn't matter. Thoughts? Posted: 06/10/2018 08:09:05
BTW, I opened shadows about as far as I wanted to go in what I submitted. From my perspective doing it more starts to make the scene look unnatural (i.e., tree trunks that are deep in the woods dark that are totally in shade)....so where does one leave off and satisfy all or should I just satisfy myself.
Such is our dilemma; such is my dilemma. When it gets to finessing images to certain points I start to find the discussion hard to participate in and I don't know what to say, so don't do it often, as you may notice. I am even thinking of opting out of the entire process. I am in three study groups, facilitate two of them and am starting to wonder if all of this really matters (isn't amazing how we go full circle), because everyone will do it different and because it is a study group there is an expectation to say something that demonstrates that even if in the long haul, it doesn't matter. Thoughts? Posted: 06/10/2018 08:09:05
I find your reply interesting. When I lived in TX, our camera club strictly followed the PSA guidelines for nature. Now that I am in MD, our club is quite relaxed about them as is this discussion group. Over time I have realized that you like true to nature landscapes while Mike is happy with few rules. Sharon likes a box crop for a flower among other crops. I look forward to fish from FL, glorious landscapes from OR, and flowers/leaves from DE. Judith also uses the same camera and lens as I do so I look to see what she has captured. From all of you, I have gained insights. I will often try a suggestion. Sometimes I like the result; other times I like mine better. Yet I am always curious what I will hear from all of you.
You tried to keep your image as close to the scene as you could yet you still used some of the sliders. As you said, you took the shadows as far as you wanted to go. Possibly your true scene had darker trunks yet as I saw it, it seemed to me that a bit of increase in shadows would still look natural and perhaps improve your scene. Without being there I gave a suggestion based on what I thought might be natural. Otherwise I thought it a splendid image. So, your choice is to say hmmm, perhaps or no, I don't agree. If over time you find that you disagree with most of what we think, then perhaps we are not the group for you, although I would miss your input on my images.
Posted: 06/10/2018 14:55:10
You tried to keep your image as close to the scene as you could yet you still used some of the sliders. As you said, you took the shadows as far as you wanted to go. Possibly your true scene had darker trunks yet as I saw it, it seemed to me that a bit of increase in shadows would still look natural and perhaps improve your scene. Without being there I gave a suggestion based on what I thought might be natural. Otherwise I thought it a splendid image. So, your choice is to say hmmm, perhaps or no, I don't agree. If over time you find that you disagree with most of what we think, then perhaps we are not the group for you, although I would miss your input on my images.
Posted: 06/10/2018 14:55:10
(Group 64)
Lisa, thanks for the response and comments. I am pondering the study group process because I find sometimes the PSA rules and their influence on folks less desirable then I care for. I am going through that in another group where the review comments frequently relate to some PDJ or PTD or XYZ photo category. I pay no attention to those and only follow my artistic sense and like feedback based on what others artists think work. I get a lot of helpful comments here, I just at times wonder if there isn't a tendency to get stuck in some rule or some style and then it limits being open to see in new ways. I do not pretend to know anything about this art form for each day I see in a new way and just keep trying to follow my vision as I have seen many other do who also didn't care about a lot of rules. Regardless, It is always good to get feedback. I just wonder what drives that sometimes. It could be that I need a break from the "giving and receiving" of the critiquing side of this artistic adventure. I am sorting that out. Posted: 06/18/2018 11:45:56
I find this scene calming and the walkway leads my eye to the back of the image. I wonder what I would find if I continued down this path. I think, as I indicated in Lisa's image, that what you do with this in post processing has a lot to do with your final intentions for the image. If you are considering this for a gallery show, in my opinion it needs some selective dodge and burn to add a sense of depth and dimension. If you intend it for your own wall, I think you should try to preserve it the way you remember it.
Now, having said all of that, I want to share one of my current photographic interests: I recently became enamored of the work of Eliot Porter, specifically his "intimate landscapes." One of my summer goals is to look for those type of shots. Often I find that there are compositions within compositions. Maybe this scene has more possibilities if you have enough pixels to try some other crops. Just a thought - I often try to concentrate on something like that just to keep the creativity flowing. Posted: 06/17/2018 11:42:34
Now, having said all of that, I want to share one of my current photographic interests: I recently became enamored of the work of Eliot Porter, specifically his "intimate landscapes." One of my summer goals is to look for those type of shots. Often I find that there are compositions within compositions. Maybe this scene has more possibilities if you have enough pixels to try some other crops. Just a thought - I often try to concentrate on something like that just to keep the creativity flowing. Posted: 06/17/2018 11:42:34
(Group 64)
Thanks for the comment about Eliot Porter. He has a unique style which is copied by some photographic artists that I know. However, he did tend to be a little tonally flat and almost single dimension at times. While I like some of his work, he does remove shadows more then I think would be best in some scenes, but then again he was a masterful artist with a unique style.
Regarding the image, I appreciate your comments. On further look, I see a couple of places that could be selectively dodged very slightly. I don't think any burning will add the image, but I will look some more.
What do you mean by Gallery Show and why would that make a difference in your opinion, Sharon? Be mindful, if you are referring to some PSA image presentation vehicle, I do not ever submit in PSA Exhibits and/or Competitions and follow the various rules that I couldn't even begin to tell you about, since I abhor PSA rules.
I have entered other exhibits and competitions that are not directly affliated with PSA, though. Posted: 06/18/2018 11:28:53
Regarding the image, I appreciate your comments. On further look, I see a couple of places that could be selectively dodged very slightly. I don't think any burning will add the image, but I will look some more.
What do you mean by Gallery Show and why would that make a difference in your opinion, Sharon? Be mindful, if you are referring to some PSA image presentation vehicle, I do not ever submit in PSA Exhibits and/or Competitions and follow the various rules that I couldn't even begin to tell you about, since I abhor PSA rules.
I have entered other exhibits and competitions that are not directly affliated with PSA, though. Posted: 06/18/2018 11:28:53
So glad to find someone in the group is familiar with Porter. I agree with the assessment that he is sometimes tonally flat. My inspiration taken from him though is more the notion that after I look at the big picture I need to look closer.
I was not referring to competition. I exhibit in a couple of galleries and I had the idea that you did also. My experience has been that there is a difference between what might sell and what I would hang on my own wall. Then, of course, there is an even bigger difference between what I might hang on my wall or what might sell, and what a competition judge might like. So it sort of depends in my opinion on who the audience is. I do compete in PSA, but once I get that PPSA (soon I hope) I am done with that rat race. Posted: 06/18/2018 11:50:11
I was not referring to competition. I exhibit in a couple of galleries and I had the idea that you did also. My experience has been that there is a difference between what might sell and what I would hang on my own wall. Then, of course, there is an even bigger difference between what I might hang on my wall or what might sell, and what a competition judge might like. So it sort of depends in my opinion on who the audience is. I do compete in PSA, but once I get that PPSA (soon I hope) I am done with that rat race. Posted: 06/18/2018 11:50:11
(Group 64)
Thanks for the clarification. I do gallery exhibits and fairs (previously in Milwaukee, and now here in the Richmond area). I haven't gotten the pulse of Richmond yet. When I was in Milwaukee, I had success with my landscapes and cityscape in garnering some interest, but then again, it is few and far between, because folks rarely buy photographic art. But you comment is probably on target since I have a friend in Peoria that put a lot of "Pop" in his images always within reason, but more then I want to do and seems to be successful in selling. The problem for me is I can't do that. I have no desire to pander to what folks want. They either like or don't like it. Unfortunately, I have no right to that attitude probably since I am far from established and my name is definitely not Picasso, but my artist whim still keeps me from just doing what might sell. I do what I do because I like it.
BTW, I don't pursue PPSA (it doesn't interest me), but congratulate you on your efforts in that area. Posted: 06/18/2018 12:04:27
BTW, I don't pursue PPSA (it doesn't interest me), but congratulate you on your efforts in that area. Posted: 06/18/2018 12:04:27
My best sellers have been landscapes that could be anywhere. People think it looks like someplace else in the US where they have been or somewhere that they grew up. Some of my florals have been successful too - mostly ones I would not consider putting on my own wall - they buy because the color goes with their decor. Go figure. If I make enough to buy a new lens each year I am happy. Posted: 06/18/2018 13:16:15
I like the image as presented. The path leading into the darker shadowed woods makes me wonder what is beyond. The small yellow flowers and various shades of green are splendid making me wanting to travel farther down the pathway. I find this very pleasing as it is. Great job. Posted: 06/17/2018 14:55:03
(Group 64)
Thanks, Tom. Posted: 06/18/2018 12:06:09
Just a side note to you. We are headed to Europe in a couple of days spending a lot of time in the Alps and Alps countries. I can't wait to finally have some beautiful landscapes to shoot. I will finally be able to put all I have learned from your comments, how I did it settings and pictures to put into practical use. I'm just hoping I learned enough to even come close to your images. We shall see with August images hopefully. Posted: 06/18/2018 14:28:25