A few years ago, I was in Yellowstone. We went to Mammoth Terraces which is most famous for its travertine terraces - numerous tiny, shallow pools along ledges of many different levels. It was getting dark and was windy and cold. Thus, this particular terrace looked like it had monster veins. After removing distractions, I processed in Color Efex to pump up the color, then in Silver Efex. Next, I used curves and the Brush tool to darken and lighten areas to bring the mineral veins out more. Color Efex has a wonderful Vignette tool that I’ve recently discovered and used here. I couldn’t decide if I should crop to feature the terraces alone. Finally, I decided they should be shown in context.
Shot with Olympus mirrorless. F/13, 1/6 sec., at ISO 1600.
7 comments posted
Peter Hornbostel
Darlene, congrat for a steady hand! shutter speed 1/6 without tripod, chapeau! I had some trouble to recognize the scene. But with your explanation I can see your story. You wanted to picture the terraces more than the landscape? Did you try to crop only the terraces?
I any case, a great conversion of the picture into monochrome. Big shot! Posted: 11/11/2024 09:01:38
Darlene Elwin
Peter - LOL - My hand is not THAT steady! Full disclosure - there was a rail that I rested the camera on. Yes, in my explanation I said that, "I couldn't decide if I should crop to feature that terraces alone." Your comments help (after the fact) make that decision! Thanks! Posted: 11/12/2024 16:10:07
Jim Hagan
The terrace veins are very interesting but, to me, I don't quite see how they relate very well to the background. In my revision I emphasized the veins but now am wondering if the image should be nothing but the veins. Posted: 11/12/2024 15:03:28
Jim Hagan
Mayb e something like the following Posted: 11/12/2024 15:07:21
Darlene Elwin
Thanks, Jim - I did play with the cropping and see now that I SHOULD have cropped as in your second example. It's a much stronger image that way. Thanks for your example! Posted: 11/12/2024 16:13:02
Henry Heerschap
Darlene,
I like your rendering a lot - it's a lovely landscape image with terrific leading lines. I do, however, have to admit that I am really drawn to Jim's second treatment. It becomes a much more mysterious abstract image. Either way, you did a terrific job.
Posted: 11/15/2024 17:47:05
Darlene Elwin
Thank you, Henry. I totally agree with you on Jim's 2nd rendering of my image. Judges often say to focus on the SUBJECT - often everything else is unnecessary. Posted: 11/16/2024 17:35:26
