Jerry Snyder
June 2018 - Perilous Perch
About the Image(s)
This image was made at Ramon Crater in Israel’s Negev Desert. I noticed a single green plant making a living on the edge of an outcrop overlooking the crater. I laid flat on my stomach and found an angle that would include the plant and rock on the left in the foreground while showing the chasm and clouds in the background. I wanted to emphasize the contrast between the rough rocks and smooth leaves of the plant. I used a wide angle (18mm) and stopped down to f/9 to keep the background in focus. The image was taken with a Canon 50D and a 17-55 f/2 lens.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted
I love the cloud layer and would attempt some further work on these clouds to "bring them out" with a little contrast and darkening. The foreground elements are very sharp and convey your message of a desert scene. Posted: 06/09/2018 16:29:27
I envy your ability to get in your preferred position for this composition. Very interesting! Perhaps the leaves could be enhanced some by opening up the shadows.
My preference is also to crop the top to just above the bottom layer of clouds. That would help my eye focus on your main subject. I think I would also appreciate the crater more if it had increased local contrast.
Posted: 06/09/2018 17:21:27
My preference is also to crop the top to just above the bottom layer of clouds. That would help my eye focus on your main subject. I think I would also appreciate the crater more if it had increased local contrast.
Posted: 06/09/2018 17:21:27
I like you image for tonal presentation, but have to agree with Jerry that the top of the image doesn't give us much for the story and subject focus. I also agree that the background needs to be sharper (add slight clarity and contrast, too). In that way, the scene will be far richer to the observer and be an enhancing element to your subject. Posted: 06/10/2018 08:36:45
I like the sharp foreground and soft background which holds you in the foreground. I have mixed emotions about the sky crop. I like the sky and suspect you wanted to show the top of the rock. It does seem stronger cropped however, perhaps the top of the rock pulls us into that corner. I would work that sky independently and get the sky darker and the clouds more dramatic. NIK Control points would work wonders to accomplish this. I can't help but wonder what selectively returning color to the plant would do. it wouldn't be a mono anymore, but it might be pretty dramatic color image. Posted: 06/10/2018 22:31:21
I like this picture for its depth and texture. Alas they aren't the subject, the plant is. I'd like to bring its importance out. For mono I suppose the only recourse is lightening its dark shadows as Jerry suggests.
I also like single colour splashes in monos, but yes, then it's no longer a mono image. Also I find that this rarely floats the boat of judges. But hey, we do this because we like the results, not just to please others, so go for it.
I'm wondering if an extreme wide angle and being closer to the plant would have improved it? 18mm on full frame is pretty wide. But even wider would have emphasised the plant and the environment. Posted: 06/18/2018 02:03:31
I also like single colour splashes in monos, but yes, then it's no longer a mono image. Also I find that this rarely floats the boat of judges. But hey, we do this because we like the results, not just to please others, so go for it.
I'm wondering if an extreme wide angle and being closer to the plant would have improved it? 18mm on full frame is pretty wide. But even wider would have emphasised the plant and the environment. Posted: 06/18/2018 02:03:31