Mark Burgess
July 2026 - Nelson Falls Track
Original
About the Image(s)
This claimed my attention during a short walk into Nelson Falls in Southern Tasmania, Australia. As you can see the trees were backlit from some dappled sun and the moss on the trees created the fringing of the sunlight. I like the natural looking track and the way it acted as a leading line.
Light processing: just a vignette and brightening of the central area of the image.
16 comments posted
Mark, I love images like this. There's a feeling of mystery and adventure every time I look at it. I like your thoughts of adding a vignette and brightening the center. In Camera Raw I tried to take your ideas even further, making the "end of the path" even brighter. (I know the path curves, but I brightened the distant area anyway. lol) What do you think?
Posted: 07/05/2026 20:42:48
Posted: 07/05/2026 20:42:48
Thanks Pete, I think it depends on where we see the focal point. As submitted it's more about an island of light within a darker larger area, which was literally the case. Pushing the focal point forward is another interpretation. TBH I don't know which is more powerful. Thanks for starting the dialog. Posted: 07/05/2026 22:16:19
Mark, I agree. Each version has its strengths. In any event, yours was VERY well done! Posted: 07/05/2026 22:31:54
I really like the direction of the edit and agree that the path should be the visual destination. Pete's suggestion, however, feels a bit too strong for my taste-the brighter tree trunks begin to compete with the path and the scene loses some of its natural mood. I would suggest something between the two versions: keep the subtle vignette, tone down the brightness of the trunks, and add just a touch more light at the end of the path to gently draw the viewer into the forest. Posted: 07/06/2026 01:21:53
Thanks Sophia. I think this is an elegant solution
Posted: 07/06/2026 05:14:10
Posted: 07/06/2026 05:14:10
Hi Mark. I love the soft greens and textures. Personally I find the tree fern on the right a little dominate. I've cropped the image in a bit to bring the focus more onto the path and the light. I didn't make any other adjustments. So there's another option for you to consider! I completely understand what attracted you to the scene. Posted: 07/06/2026 04:04:14
Thanks Suzanne. Interesting point. For that crop I think it should have been shot more from the left Posted: 07/06/2026 05:12:20
Yes I think you're right. Posted: 07/06/2026 06:46:05
Hello Mark, I like this image. For some reason, when I first looked at this photo, I thought of "The Hobbit". I agree with Suzanne's comment about the dominance of the tree fern; it makes me feel like stepping to the left by a foot or two. That said, cropping out the whole right side of the image reduces the overall impact. I agree with Sophia's assessment of this image. Posted: 07/11/2026 15:02:45
Thanks Richard Posted: 07/11/2026 20:04:01
Mark, it's magnificent photo!
It reminded Richard of a book about hobbits, but I think this shot would make an excellent illustration for a book on paleontology - the chapter about dinosaurs. The giant ferns are their contemporaries.
For example, a velociraptor would look very natural and organic on this path ;-) Posted: 07/13/2026 08:31:37
It reminded Richard of a book about hobbits, but I think this shot would make an excellent illustration for a book on paleontology - the chapter about dinosaurs. The giant ferns are their contemporaries.
For example, a velociraptor would look very natural and organic on this path ;-) Posted: 07/13/2026 08:31:37
Thanks Natalia, I like your imagination Posted: 07/13/2026 23:56:21
Natalia, sometimes it's hard to resist playing!
Posted: 07/14/2026 00:28:26
Posted: 07/14/2026 00:28:26
I'm pleased it's running away. Posted: 07/14/2026 00:38:20
I didn't want to frighten anyone. Posted: 07/14/2026 01:28:47
Sad that Sam Neill actor in Jurassic Park died Posted: 07/14/2026 02:13:51