Jason Kravitz
January 2021 - One Fine Summer Day
About the Image(s)
Deion
I was staying at a working ranch for a weekend and spotted these longhorn cattle hanging out. The scene was very peaceful and I liked the way the 3 cows were each a little different looking and doing their own thing in different parts of the frame. I created an edit where I upped the saturation/contrast and straightened a little, but sharing the original out of camera for your ideas.
EXIF
Panasonic DC-G9 1/3200 second F/3.7 ISO 200 127 mm
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
Nice.
Try little straightening and some crop and touch up. Posted: 01/04/2021 20:24:42
Try little straightening and some crop and touch up. Posted: 01/04/2021 20:24:42
A good idea to straighten and crop. Thanks Sunil. Posted: 01/06/2021 17:13:30
Quite a pastoral scene! There is a nose on the left sticking out into the frame that could be erased. Sunil's straightening does change the energy of the photo, but does make it more serene and peaceful, and fits your good title, if that is your goal.
For a finishing touch, you might consider lightening the clouds a bit to make them a bigger part of the scene and echo the shape of the white cow, especially. Posted: 01/04/2021 20:37:37
For a finishing touch, you might consider lightening the clouds a bit to make them a bigger part of the scene and echo the shape of the white cow, especially. Posted: 01/04/2021 20:37:37
Thanks Brenda. I didn't even see that nose on the left, good catch!
I'd be interested to see a quick edit with the clouds as you envision them. Posted: 01/06/2021 17:14:24
I'd be interested to see a quick edit with the clouds as you envision them. Posted: 01/06/2021 17:14:24
Jason, I did this with my finger on my laptop and its really meant to be done with a Wacom tablet. I made a layer for light and made it soft light. Then I painted a bit more white with a soft brush. Then I made a dark layer and painted with some gray/mauve on the edges of the clouds with a slightly more definition. Then I used some Gaussian blur to soften the clouds. I don't think these look great, but you at least get the idea of a bit more cloud to lend to the pastoral scene. Posted: 01/06/2021 18:29:32
That is helpful to get an idea of the technique. Thanks Brenda! Posted: 01/08/2021 13:20:01
I like Sunil's crop, and just added a curve layer and hit auto, then brought down the highlight on the nose, to get a bit more punch.
Posted: 01/09/2021 12:59:13
Posted: 01/09/2021 12:59:13
I like the image but like others I felt the horizon should be straightened (even though the original may be more accurate). I also added a little saturation to the image and I blurred the grasses behind the front cow. I also cropped some off the grass in the foreground and some from the right side and top and I also reduced some of the noise in the sky. Posted: 01/15/2021 09:32:22
I like your ideas, thanks Jim. The foreground crop and blur brings the eye to the first cow. Posted: 01/25/2021 20:40:41
(Groups 36 & 67)
Hi Jason
I think you have captured an image that perfectly fits your title. The sheer simplicity of the image is one of the things that gives it appeal. Effectively you are using a minimalist approach and there is much to be said for this type of photography.
You have nicely placed the two main subject on the appropriate crash points thus creating a pleasing composition. What are your thoughts on this matter? I'd love to hear your opinion.
My suggestion for improvement is slightly radical but please consider my rational for doing so. In any image the eye of the viewer is automatically drawn to the lightest and the brightest part of the frame. In your original image this is the white cow at the top. When you consider that the cow is also out of focus my suggestion is to clone the cow out of the frame--as per my edited photo attached. When you have a simple a image such as this it is best to remove as many distractions as possible. Posted: 01/26/2021 18:36:44
I think you have captured an image that perfectly fits your title. The sheer simplicity of the image is one of the things that gives it appeal. Effectively you are using a minimalist approach and there is much to be said for this type of photography.
You have nicely placed the two main subject on the appropriate crash points thus creating a pleasing composition. What are your thoughts on this matter? I'd love to hear your opinion.
My suggestion for improvement is slightly radical but please consider my rational for doing so. In any image the eye of the viewer is automatically drawn to the lightest and the brightest part of the frame. In your original image this is the white cow at the top. When you consider that the cow is also out of focus my suggestion is to clone the cow out of the frame--as per my edited photo attached. When you have a simple a image such as this it is best to remove as many distractions as possible. Posted: 01/26/2021 18:36:44
Larry, what a brilliant suggestion. Yes, it is much calmer and serene now. We appreciate all your input this month! Posted: 01/27/2021 18:40:00
Hi Larry. Thank you for dropping in and for your insights.
It is a bold idea to remove the white cow but you are right about the eye going to the bright spots and it does give a different kind of balance to the image like this.
It is a creative idea, thanks! Posted: 01/27/2021 21:40:26
It is a bold idea to remove the white cow but you are right about the eye going to the bright spots and it does give a different kind of balance to the image like this.
It is a creative idea, thanks! Posted: 01/27/2021 21:40:26