Karl Leck
March 2023 - Dancing Oak Leaf
About the Image(s)
This month I offer a less controversial K.I.S. image of a dancing oak leaf after a snow storm. The leaf was stuck in the snow by its stem. I just cloned away part of the stem to create the illusion of floating above the snow. The leaf was lightened a little since the exposure was for texture in the snow.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted
Karl_ More proof that less is more. Great composition with a nice, simplified subject. I never thought of cutting the stem to give the illusion of the leaf falling. I was wondering how the leaf would look with more variations in tonality. I took the liberty of trying with a soft brush @ 9% fill. I also added a touch of grain in Topaz Sharpen AI. I am not certain that the leaf shadow is natural, but it works. Posted: 03/04/2023 15:38:49
Karl, Could you post the original? I would like to see how long the stem was and how it was positioned, and I would like to see the original shadow. I am having trouble imagining the leaf to be floating. A wider crop might have helped.
Also, what camera, lens, filter and settings did you use. Your snow is beautifully white. The diagonal positions of the leaf and shadow are pleasing. That leaf is dancing while singing an operatic area. Posted: 03/09/2023 13:08:12
Also, what camera, lens, filter and settings did you use. Your snow is beautifully white. The diagonal positions of the leaf and shadow are pleasing. That leaf is dancing while singing an operatic area. Posted: 03/09/2023 13:08:12
Hi Judith, The original is shown here. As you can see I only removed a small part of the stem. I then imagined the leaf to be suspended just above the ground. The shadow is real. The image was made with a Sony a6000 mirrorless camera with 16-70mm f/4 lens at 51mm. Exposure was ISO 400, 1/250 second at f/16. I believe the scene was pretty quiet so there was only a visual aria. Karl Posted: 03/10/2023 09:11:50
While the original is striking, I think Peter's soft brush does add interest to the leaf. The composition gives a very pleasing balance to the image.
Posted: 03/16/2023 22:01:25
Posted: 03/16/2023 22:01:25
Karl
I like the cloning trick to give the floating illusion; very effective and I am glad you explained it since I was puzzled as to how you could capture the falling leaf so well. The veins of the leaf stand out well for me, and its corruption adds to its interest ( I do not think a perfect leaf would have worked).
I was tempted to burn (mid range) the snow and shadow a little, the former for texture and the latter for emphasis. Posted: 03/17/2023 20:11:53
I like the cloning trick to give the floating illusion; very effective and I am glad you explained it since I was puzzled as to how you could capture the falling leaf so well. The veins of the leaf stand out well for me, and its corruption adds to its interest ( I do not think a perfect leaf would have worked).
I was tempted to burn (mid range) the snow and shadow a little, the former for texture and the latter for emphasis. Posted: 03/17/2023 20:11:53