LuAnn Thatcher
October 2018 - Lone Cypress
Original
About the Image(s)
I edited this in LR with very basic adjustments – cropping and lens correction.
In Photoshop cc I used brightness, curves, and levels to enhance the foreground and make it pop more from the background. I think I over edit my landscapes sometimes so I thought I would stop here. I look forward to everyone’s critiques.
Camera settings: Nikon D7000, ISO 1600, Aperture f/5.6, shutter 1/8000, spot metered, Nikon 18-200mm lens, focal length 48mm
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
Hi LuAnn - I like the way your foreground is nice and sharp and contrasty - the small rocks and shadows lead right up to the cypress while the background remains soft and distant - my impression is that the subject tends to pop toward the viewer - nice effect. If I had any recommendation, it would be to try a portrait composition giving the cypress even a little more attention. After all, he is pretty lonely. I actually saw him around 1986 and took a 35mm film shot (maybe two) - I need to recover that picture. Thanks for reminding me. Posted: 10/06/2018 11:30:36
LuAnn, this picture blows me away. I completely agree with Gary that the image appears very 3D. I think that's due to your use of the dark cypress against the lighter and blurrier background. Excellent!
I tried making this into a vertical but didn't like what I came up with. It will be interesting to see what Gary can do with a portrait orientation if he can find the negatives. (Good luck, Gary!)
Posted: 10/14/2018 10:52:13
I tried making this into a vertical but didn't like what I came up with. It will be interesting to see what Gary can do with a portrait orientation if he can find the negatives. (Good luck, Gary!)
Posted: 10/14/2018 10:52:13
There is something wrong with this photo, can anyone see the problem?
I am ok at having it used as an example of camera technique.
LuAnn Posted: 10/14/2018 13:02:46
I am ok at having it used as an example of camera technique.
LuAnn Posted: 10/14/2018 13:02:46
Personally, I am not picking up any issues with technique. However, I'm intrigued by your assertion that there's a problem.
When I studied your image a bit closer, I realized that the edge of the cypress on the left of the picture is a distraction and I think it would be good to clone it out. Nonetheless, I'm sure this isn't the "problem".... which I'm eager to hear about.
Posted: 10/14/2018 16:48:43
When I studied your image a bit closer, I realized that the edge of the cypress on the left of the picture is a distraction and I think it would be good to clone it out. Nonetheless, I'm sure this isn't the "problem".... which I'm eager to hear about.
Posted: 10/14/2018 16:48:43
Perfect, Oliver! I did not even notice that cypress on the left edge of the frame.
So in addition to that, there are blown out highlights in the water just to the right of that piece of cypress branch, and on the edges of the wall near the base of the tree. Things I never noticed till someone pointed it out to me.
I think this is a great exercise to develop a critical eye when looking at images. This is an area I have a great interest in though it may not interest all.
The other thing that is good about this exercise is, I have learned that the blown highlights come from my camera settings. My ISO is too high and I have no idea what I was thinking with the shutter speed I chose.
All this gives me things to think about the next time I go out to shoot a landscape. I try hard to be vigilant to know what my camera settings are and to think before clicking to improve my captures each time I am out.
I hope this information is helpful to members of this group and those that come to visit. I love photography with a passion and love the learning journey it is taking me on.
Have a great day my friends!
LuAnn
Posted: 10/16/2018 08:03:12
So in addition to that, there are blown out highlights in the water just to the right of that piece of cypress branch, and on the edges of the wall near the base of the tree. Things I never noticed till someone pointed it out to me.
I think this is a great exercise to develop a critical eye when looking at images. This is an area I have a great interest in though it may not interest all.
The other thing that is good about this exercise is, I have learned that the blown highlights come from my camera settings. My ISO is too high and I have no idea what I was thinking with the shutter speed I chose.
All this gives me things to think about the next time I go out to shoot a landscape. I try hard to be vigilant to know what my camera settings are and to think before clicking to improve my captures each time I am out.
I hope this information is helpful to members of this group and those that come to visit. I love photography with a passion and love the learning journey it is taking me on.
Have a great day my friends!
LuAnn
Posted: 10/16/2018 08:03:12
You've done a quite respectable job with an iconic subject. Being a Northern California resident, I've gotten to see many versions of this subject over the years.
Comparing the photo with the original, monochrome offers a much stronger image and serves to make use of the fog almost like bokeh in the background while increasing the emphasis on the main subject of the photo. Nicely done. Posted: 10/15/2018 21:10:28
Comparing the photo with the original, monochrome offers a much stronger image and serves to make use of the fog almost like bokeh in the background while increasing the emphasis on the main subject of the photo. Nicely done. Posted: 10/15/2018 21:10:28
Thank you, Paul, for your comments. How lucky you are to live in such a beautiful state!
I agree I love the monochrome version as well. And again, I did not notice the fog-silly me! I have to add taking better notice of my surroundings and the atmosphere to my bucket list.
Thanks for your help,
LuAnn Posted: 10/16/2018 08:05:51
I agree I love the monochrome version as well. And again, I did not notice the fog-silly me! I have to add taking better notice of my surroundings and the atmosphere to my bucket list.
Thanks for your help,
LuAnn Posted: 10/16/2018 08:05:51
This is a strong image and you did cropped out some distraction on the edge. I cropped a slightly wider version: leave more space on the left and top, but less at the bottom.
The rock converted very nicely. One thing about your conversion is the tree that I think it's all black, while the background is much brighter (the water, sky, rocks on the left side. I attached a my version and here is what I did:
- crop a bit wider (wish I can make it 16x10 but the tree would be too centered)
- when converting, I first add a green filter, this would make the tree not completely black, more naturally light up due to where the sun came from.
- with the color slider, tune down left side rocks, but kept the wave nice and bright to balance out the bright part of the rock at the front
- tune down the water and the mountain in the back, the wave stands out but not distracted
- added vignetting
(I might have making it a bit too dark, but the low res image is quite hard to tell) Posted: 10/23/2018 00:05:26
The rock converted very nicely. One thing about your conversion is the tree that I think it's all black, while the background is much brighter (the water, sky, rocks on the left side. I attached a my version and here is what I did:
- crop a bit wider (wish I can make it 16x10 but the tree would be too centered)
- when converting, I first add a green filter, this would make the tree not completely black, more naturally light up due to where the sun came from.
- with the color slider, tune down left side rocks, but kept the wave nice and bright to balance out the bright part of the rock at the front
- tune down the water and the mountain in the back, the wave stands out but not distracted
- added vignetting
(I might have making it a bit too dark, but the low res image is quite hard to tell) Posted: 10/23/2018 00:05:26
Nice option, Hattie I like what you did. I did not think about using a filter but I have been experimenting with them more in PS.
There are many ways to edit this photo I see. Thanks for the tips and sample images.
LuAnn Posted: 10/25/2018 16:59:05
There are many ways to edit this photo I see. Thanks for the tips and sample images.
LuAnn Posted: 10/25/2018 16:59:05