Sylvia Williams
November 2024 - Miniature Landscape
About the Image(s)
This is another photo from Mushroomageddon 2024. I took this at a nearby state park. It is hard for me to tell by looking at the back of my camera how sharp my photos are. Often it is not until I get home and view them on my computer screen that I see that the settings I used should have been modified. I was using a new lens for the first time and while I typically like a shallow depth of field, this lens seems more shallow than my other lenses.
In any case, I love this little mushroom in this setting but not crazy about my shot. I have played with different crops, exposures and filters. I am looking forward to your thoughts.
Nikon Z7ii
Nikkor 70-180 mm
Focal length 180mm
f/3.2
1/400
iso 640
10 comments posted
Sylvia, The fact that the whole image is not sharp adds to its beauty. The white mushroom against the brown twigs are quite sharp. My only suggestion would be to remove the soft line in the bottom left corner. Great shot. How did your other mushroom do in competition? Posted: 11/13/2024 13:29:25
I am going to try your suggestions.
The mushroom challenge is actually not until May :) I thought it was sooner than that. Posted: 11/14/2024 22:22:22
The mushroom challenge is actually not until May :) I thought it was sooner than that. Posted: 11/14/2024 22:22:22
Sylvia, Let us know the results. Good luck! Posted: 11/17/2024 19:32:34
Sylvia, the blurred background gives the scene a pleasant ethereal feeling that I like. The mushroom and twigs in the focus plane are sharp creating separation from the foreground and background. Colors are great. Together the image creates a very interesting story.
I cropping your image into a 4x6 format that I think brings more focus to the main subject which is the mushroom. What do you think?
Posted: 11/13/2024 14:22:49
I cropping your image into a 4x6 format that I think brings more focus to the main subject which is the mushroom. What do you think?
Posted: 11/13/2024 14:22:49
Thank you for taking the time to crop it. I am not sure what I like better. I think I will need to download your photo, and Sabine's and go back and forth between them!
But for sure I am going to look at a few different crops.
Posted: 11/14/2024 22:20:42
But for sure I am going to look at a few different crops.
Posted: 11/14/2024 22:20:42
Sylvia, I really love your image. This fairy-tale atmosphere only exists in autumn when the sun is low and the colors are wonderfully bright.
Your composition - lines ascending from left to right - makes it clear how small the mushroom is. The impression is further enhanced by the crumbs of earth - you know the mushroom must have just come out of the ground. The light on the mushroom's head brings it even more into focus.
To make the atmosphere even more mystical, I reduced the brightness a little in Photoshop (-40) and increased the contrast (+70). So, what do you think?
Posted: 11/14/2024 09:39:18
Your composition - lines ascending from left to right - makes it clear how small the mushroom is. The impression is further enhanced by the crumbs of earth - you know the mushroom must have just come out of the ground. The light on the mushroom's head brings it even more into focus.
To make the atmosphere even more mystical, I reduced the brightness a little in Photoshop (-40) and increased the contrast (+70). So, what do you think?
Posted: 11/14/2024 09:39:18
I do like the more mystical feel! thank you Posted: 11/14/2024 22:21:14
One of the things I value about this group is when folks try their hand at modifying and manipulating images. Both Sylvia and Jim's alternatives are a creative take on the original. My only input was that the mushroom seemed a little lost with all of the background and I liked cropping the photo to give more space to the main event! Posted: 11/17/2024 19:56:38
This is a nice image of the mushroom. I like your use of a shallow depth of field and the soft lighting and colors add to it, as well. As mentioned by others, a slight crop my help put more prominence on the mushroom.
On my Nikon dslr, I have a button set up that will zoom the image I am reviewing on the back of the camera to 100% so I can check focus a little easier in the field. I would image your camera would have this capability, as well. You may know this already, but thought I would mention it just in case you weren't aware of that. Posted: 11/17/2024 22:41:44
On my Nikon dslr, I have a button set up that will zoom the image I am reviewing on the back of the camera to 100% so I can check focus a little easier in the field. I would image your camera would have this capability, as well. You may know this already, but thought I would mention it just in case you weren't aware of that. Posted: 11/17/2024 22:41:44
Sylvia, The background has such a beautiful, whimsical feel that really captures the mood of a fall landscape. At first, I didn't immediately notice the mushroom as the main subject, but once I read the title and description, it all came together for me. The soft focus adds a dreamy quality, and I like how it complements the mysterious atmosphere of the scene. Posted: 11/19/2024 21:50:30