Cheryl LaLonde  


Foggy Sunrise by Cheryl LaLonde

October 2020 - Foggy Sunrise

October 2020 - Cheryl LaLonde

Original

About the Image(s)

It was taken with a Fujifilm GFX 50S camera using a 32-64mm lens.

It is a panorama of 4 portrait orientation HDR images.

I merged the images to HDR images first then into a panorama.

I performed basic editing of exposure in Lightroom, used photoshop to clone and heal the foreground elements, NIK to add contrast, and back to lightroom for enhancing the light with radiant circles and using the gradient tool to darken the top and bottom of the image a little.

The image was taken at sunrise on a cool calm morning. I was actually hoping that the day would be clear and calm but there was fog on the water as well as a cloud that moved right over the water. I ended up being kind of excited about the mix of what I had here. Usually the Sun would burn off the fog when rising so to have this combination of Sunrise and Fog is not common. At least I haven’t seen it before. When editing this image I struggled with how much clarity I should add to the foggy area. I wanted to keep the mood but was not sure there was enough detail in the foggy areas to keep the viewers interest. I also removed some of the foreground elements because I thought it looked too busy. Should I have removed more? … or maybe less?

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts on this image.


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




Robert Atkins   Robert Atkins
I really love both the light and the mood created by the fog in this image. I think you were rightfully excited about the conditions. The clouds seem like they were very cooperative in the way they radially extend from the mountain.

I agree with your removal of the foreground elements in the original, which to me just add clutter. I'd also prefer it if the fallen tree (branch?) on the left wasn't there as I find it wants to pull my eye out of the frame. Similarly, I wish the rock on the bottom right (which I like) was all the way into the frame vs. sitting on the boundary. Finally, I wish the grass tufts on the right side (which I also like) sat below the reflection of the mountain vs. straddling the edge of it.

Your image has got to have a truly massive amount of megapixels! I am definitely envious of your GFX 50S - your stitched pano has got to have more detail than I can get from a 4x5 sheet (with much less of the headache of setting up a 4x5). You could print this REALLY big! Great image!
  Posted: 10/06/2020 18:51:54
Cheryl LaLonde   Cheryl LaLonde
I agree with all your comments! I may try to remove all the objects..... Photoshop here I come!!

P.S. I thought I was going to get a ton of flack from my Husband for buying the 50S (was a little worried about telling him). I did get it on sale and he wasn't as upset as I thought. I guess after 29 years of marriage the man knows me...LOL. This is a hobby (or maybe I should say obsession) for me, so to spend that kind of money was a little crazy. I do like the camera though. If you ever get a chance at a good price and can afford it I would definitely recommend it.   Posted: 10/17/2020 18:52:20



Dan Mottaz   Dan Mottaz
I'm happy to see that we can still make nice images despite the restrictions of the pandemic.
Cheryl, beautiful capture of that mountain with the patchy fog surrounding the base. You portray the early morning scene wonderfully and you processed it expertly.
If I can go a little beyond Robert's insightful review, 'Separation' and 'Simplicity' would be my words of suggestion here. The debris in the foreground is too distracting to my eyes and takes away from the real show, which is the mountain. If you are inclined, you could clone it all out.
As I see it, you are obviously an advanced imagemaker and are very good with processing. My advice - which you probably already know - would be to take a variety of shots at different perspectives. When viewing on a large, calibrated monitor, choose which one best represents your vision.   Posted: 10/14/2020 19:58:20
Cheryl LaLonde   Cheryl LaLonde
Thanks Dan. Yes I am going to try to clone out the foreground and simplify the image.   Posted: 10/17/2020 18:53:52



 
Cheryl, wow - this is a gorgeous image. You seamlessly stitched together 4 images to create one spectacular shot. I like how you were able to lighten up the image so that the ripples on the water, the texture of the mountains, the bright reflection of the mountain summits, and the fog/mist are all clear and crisp. Amazing job and great work. All your hard work really paid off.   Posted: 10/16/2020 12:45:26
Cheryl LaLonde   Cheryl LaLonde
Thanks Emily!   Posted: 10/17/2020 18:54:25



Gerard Blair   Gerard Blair
(Group 79)
I think this is beautiful. My favorite part is the light on the peaks AND (contrary to others) the foreground features in the lower corners. While I agree they initially distract, I see them as pointers to the center, a sort of Greek chorus grabbing attention but only to highlight the main characters.

Since I like the foreground, I would prefer the water to be less dark (did you burn it?): I think the smooth water would still serve as a border while opening up the image.

Question for my learning: are these hand-held or did you swivel on a tripod?   Posted: 10/17/2020 09:57:27
Cheryl LaLonde   Cheryl LaLonde
I actually don't recall if I burned the water. I will have to look back. I am going to remove the foreground elements and compare the two versions to see which I like best. I am not totally convinced that the foreground elements should be totally removed, it may not feel grounded with them all removed. The only way to know is to try it out.

I took all the images on my tripod. I have two tripod heads, a Really Right stuff pano head to take multi row panoramas and a fluid head set up similar to the one Hudson Henry recommends here- https://www.hudsonhenry.com/blog/fluidheads.

I have been using my fluid head much more often than the RRS pano head because it is more compact and easier to travel with.   Posted: 10/17/2020 19:01:42



Dale Yates   Dale Yates
(Group 87)
This is a great image! Well composed, "stitched" together very well, and excellent use of HDR. The fog is well handled and adds to the mystery of the photo. As far as the foreground elements, I agree with cropping out the tree limbs on the left side. However I would leave the remainder of the foreground elements as they are. In my opinion, having the foreground elements provides depth and dimension to an image, which is evident in your photo. Very nice work!   Posted: 10/19/2020 15:38:19