Brad Ashbrook
About the Image(s)
This was photographed during a fall foliage trip to North Carolina in October. We has some very nice color at different locations but wasn't very consistent. This on the road from Franklin to Highlands and I pulled off and climbed down to the river. This is a 3 image focus stack since I was very close to the foreground and there was a lot of depth in the scene. The stack was done in Photoshop CC, some cleaning up along the edges and some other bright spots. Used NIK Color Efex 4 to help with the color and contrast and a luminosity mask to done down the highlights and help with the mid tones.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
13 comments posted
Renee Schaefer
Lovely fall colors. I like the soft flowing water in the front. That one tree trunk about 2/3 into the image bothers me a little. It is very light and my eyes keep going back to it. Maybe you can add some leaves to that trunk.   Posted: 01/06/2022 16:08:38
Renee Schaefer
No, but I do like the second one better. The trunk that was catching my eye is the one with the white bark. In the second image it is less obvious and is fine.   Posted: 01/09/2022 15:32:39
Jon Allanson
I like the autumn colours of the trees in the background and the way that the stream leads us into the picture. To me the light coloured water at the base draws my eye away from the trees, so I would suggest cropping off up to the rock on the left.   Posted: 01/08/2022 03:05:17
Jon Allanson
I prefer the second of your 2 versions, they both remove the very bright area, but the second retains more foreground interest.   Posted: 01/08/2022 10:41:08
Brad Ashbrook
I do as well.. wasn't sure which rock you referring to when you said crop in your original comments.   Posted: 01/10/2022 08:13:11
Becca Cambridge
I am late to this discussion but I agree with Jon about the second of your 2 versions. I also agree and see what is distracting Renee. There is a tree almost on the left third vertical line. At first glance, it almost looks like a crease in the photo because the trunk color is so white against the green foliage.
I like the photo stacking. How much difference between photo stacking and a long term exposure using filters on the water's movement? Haven't tried either, inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks for sharing a great photo.
  Posted: 01/13/2022 11:03:23
I like the photo stacking. How much difference between photo stacking and a long term exposure using filters on the water's movement? Haven't tried either, inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks for sharing a great photo.
  Posted: 01/13/2022 11:03:23
Brad Ashbrook
Yes, that tree! It could easily be removed.
The focus stacking was done at f11 and I focussed near, middle and far. I might have been able to get away with 2 since the foreground wasn't crazy close.
I used 0.8 secs for the exposure time for some smoothing of the water.
Did that answer your questions?   Posted: 01/13/2022 11:21:20
The focus stacking was done at f11 and I focussed near, middle and far. I might have been able to get away with 2 since the foreground wasn't crazy close.
I used 0.8 secs for the exposure time for some smoothing of the water.
Did that answer your questions?   Posted: 01/13/2022 11:21:20
Becca Cambridge
Yup
  Posted: 01/24/2022 13:36:58
  Posted: 01/24/2022 13:36:58
Jan van Leijenhorst
This is a beautiful image of the fall colors. I like the soft flow of the water in the foreground and mid section. The tree colors seem a little flat but not disturbingly so. The overall composition is strong and it brings out very well the feeling of autumn. Removing a little branch or rock here and there does not much to improve that overall atmosphere.   Posted: 01/17/2022 16:32:34
Danny Dunne
I like the version with bottom bright area cropped off. it keeps my attention on the wonderful autumn colours and the meandering river.   Posted: 01/29/2022 22:47:24