Mark Winter  


Majestic by Mark Winter

October 2019 - Majestic

October 2019 - Mark Winter

Original

About the Image(s)

Acadia Lookout
Deion: While traveling in Acadia National Park in September, I knew this general area (Otter Point) and it looked like the clouds would cooperate after sunset. What I was envisioning was a serene setting, with both color and waves, and wanting the viewer to imagine what was around the cliffs. I used a longer exposure to smooth water and waves, and highlight the wave crests. I shot for the highlights while watching my histogram. The color continued to
Equipment and Settings:
- Nikon D810, 16-35mm F4 lens, No filters
- manual mode, RAW, ISO 125, 25mm, F11, 15 second exposure
Processing Steps: (Lightroom only)
- Temp cooled to 7595K
- +.25 stop on exposure
- Highlights -93
- Shadows +79
- Whites +67
- Clarity +8
- Brought Lights adjustment curve to +8
- Cropped slightly
- Used 2 gradient masks. One from the top, lowering exposure slightly. One from the left, bringing exposure down slightly


This round’s discussion is now closed!
4 comments posted




Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
While I was in Acadia NP I took in this same scene and thus felt a nostalgic tug on my heart strings while enjoying this image. I think you came up with a solid composition that certainly enhanced your stated objective. It is a pleasure to find a photographer who also exposes for the highlights in their work. I feel this technique makes for more dramatic images and this is certainly one. I like your use of diagonal lines to impart motion and drama to the image as the created leading lines move the viewer through the image.

It may be my eye playing tricks but I feel the horizon is not quite level and could be adjusted easily in Lightroom. For me the entire image feels a bit soft and there seems to be a lot of blur in the foliage on the right. I would say this is the result of the long exposure however the rocks on the left are also a bit soft. Was it windy and perhaps that shook your tripod? I had a real problem with the wind in Acadia and had to wedge my tripod into the rocks to keep it still.

It is also a pleasure to see that you really use the tools of Lightroom to enhance your images. The double use of gradient masks shows your critical eye and creative impulse. This is really a fine image.   Posted: 10/04/2019 19:20:02



 
Hello Mark and welcome to the group! Acadia is one of the parks on my National Park Bucket list. I think you have captured this scene exquisitely and with the layering and light, have brought in a 3D aspect.

Your point of view and composition are truly in symmetry with one another and you have captured some gorgeous colors to boot.

To me, the horizon is horizontal and level. It could be the way the colors blend together between the sky and the water, and there is truly a defining line between the two. Your post-process is spot on for color, light and luminosity. Sharp foreground and it appears to throughout the whole image.

Looking forward to seeing more.
  Posted: 10/07/2019 19:00:27



 
Larry, Todd,

I really appreciate the feedback on my image and am very excited to be part of this group! First, on the technical side, Larry, I took a closer look and you were correct on the horizon. I just missed it. It was slightly off, around -.45. And when I really zoomed in, there is a slight softness, which is a little confusing to me. It really wasn't windy. I am wondering if I manually refocused as the evening went on and maybe took the focus point out too far. It could say that it adds to the dreamy feel of the image :-). I will check my others in the sequence to see if they are similar. I'm glad you both liked the composition. I sometimes struggle when shooting getting that correct in camera.
On Acadia in general, one of our favorite places to go, although, Todd, we spend quite a bit of time in CO both in summer and winter.
  Posted: 10/08/2019 12:32:28



Michael Weatherford   Michael Weatherford
Welcome to the group, Mark. I like the soft pastel colors of this dreamy landscape. The focus is soft but that works well with the overall image. Good job!   Posted: 10/08/2019 21:44:59