Bob Wills
October 2026 - Acadia NP Pond
About the Image(s)
I took this image in September 23, 2013 at 9 am, after the PSA conference in Portland ME. We drove up to Bar Harbor for a week, and visited Acadia NP for a week. Lobster rolls for me every day!
I am not sure which pond this is, or where the image was shot from. If I were starting on my photo journey now, I would catalog where I was exactly, but alas...
I had a Nikon D800, 24-70 mm f2.8 lens and a tripod. Shot in manual mode, spot metering, 26 mm, ISO 100, 1/15 sec @ f10.
I processed this raw image in LR and PS. In LR I maked each layer (Atlantic Ocean, mountains, pond and foreground,) then adjusted the tone, color, clarity and texture of each. In PS I mainly adjusted globally for warmth and depth using ACR as a smart filter.
I liked the similar curves of the mountains and the forest below the pond, the rich fall colors and the distant ocean. I'm interested in your opinion of a landscape like this. Without a pond there isn't a center of attention, but I think it allows eye movement. Let me know if it captures your interest.
8 comments posted
Bob,
You've captured a beautiful scene, and the layers are what make it especially engaging for me. My eye moves from the autumn color in the foreground, across the lake, and up to the mountain and distant landscape. There's a real sense of depth, and the image is very easy to spend time with.
The lake naturally draws my eye because it's the brightest part of the scene. I wondered whether a little less brightness there might let my eye travel more freely through those wonderful layers. I also tried a crop that removes the bright grasses at the bottom and some of the sky, then made small adjustments to the brightness, contrast, and color. I've included my version so you can see what I had in mind. These are personal choices, of course-I think you created a lovely photograph.
Posted: 10/01/2026 20:58:49
You've captured a beautiful scene, and the layers are what make it especially engaging for me. My eye moves from the autumn color in the foreground, across the lake, and up to the mountain and distant landscape. There's a real sense of depth, and the image is very easy to spend time with.
The lake naturally draws my eye because it's the brightest part of the scene. I wondered whether a little less brightness there might let my eye travel more freely through those wonderful layers. I also tried a crop that removes the bright grasses at the bottom and some of the sky, then made small adjustments to the brightness, contrast, and color. I've included my version so you can see what I had in mind. These are personal choices, of course-I think you created a lovely photograph.
Posted: 10/01/2026 20:58:49
Thanks, Butch.
As Kathy has a better memory, more trips under her belt, and was nice enough to fill us in, I think that bright patch at the bottom is the last bit of rocky Cadillac Mountain. I left it in mostly to help with the flow of the image. Your crop works well, though. I had considered that too, but I usually wait until all the comments are in before making any changes.
The fall colors are just how I remember them-they really took our breath away. The lake may have reflected more of the distant mountain than the sky from where I was standing, but honestly, I'm not sure. Posted: 10/06/2026 20:07:52
As Kathy has a better memory, more trips under her belt, and was nice enough to fill us in, I think that bright patch at the bottom is the last bit of rocky Cadillac Mountain. I left it in mostly to help with the flow of the image. Your crop works well, though. I had considered that too, but I usually wait until all the comments are in before making any changes.
The fall colors are just how I remember them-they really took our breath away. The lake may have reflected more of the distant mountain than the sky from where I was standing, but honestly, I'm not sure. Posted: 10/06/2026 20:07:52
You have captured a spectacular image of Eagle Lake taken on Park Loop Road just down from the Cadillac Mountain entrance in Arcadia National Park. I have been there many times, but only during the summer months. I felt your yellow and orange foliage was a bit strong, so I reduced the yellows and this brought the color of the lake down too. I also darkened the center lower area. Perhaps you took the image when the whole area was bathed in the warm sunlight. Your image has excellent detail, depth, and scenic appeal. Posted: 10/04/2026 13:24:54
Thank you, Kathy.
I actually had a separate folder for Park Loop Road at one time, but after all the culling, I've lost some of my images and memory of 2013. I would never have guessed Eagle Lake or Cadillac Mountain. Thanks again for helping me fill in the blanks.
As far as the colors go, I actually reduced the vibrance a little. At least that fall, the colors were everything we could have hoped for. Not all of PSA conference trips worked out as well as Portland, ME, but we were truly awed by Acadia and Maine in general.
I just wish I had more photography skills at the time. I've been in the Northeast during summer, though, and your version would certainly be accurate for that time of year. Posted: 10/06/2026 20:21:32
I actually had a separate folder for Park Loop Road at one time, but after all the culling, I've lost some of my images and memory of 2013. I would never have guessed Eagle Lake or Cadillac Mountain. Thanks again for helping me fill in the blanks.
As far as the colors go, I actually reduced the vibrance a little. At least that fall, the colors were everything we could have hoped for. Not all of PSA conference trips worked out as well as Portland, ME, but we were truly awed by Acadia and Maine in general.
I just wish I had more photography skills at the time. I've been in the Northeast during summer, though, and your version would certainly be accurate for that time of year. Posted: 10/06/2026 20:21:32
The only word I can think of for this scene is "spectacular". I love the color and the layers: the composition, the depth and detail are so pleasing. I might agree with Kathy's color suggestions. You have done a wonderful job capturing this awesome place. Posted: 10/04/2026 19:20:37
Thank you, Maryellen.
I really appreciate your thoughts and the different perspective. I've always tended to prefer more colorful images.
I think my love of Van Gogh, which started when I was a teenager, probably had something to do with that. I've always been drawn to more dramatic images and tend to push my colors a little most of the time.
But I really enjoy hearing how other people see an image, and I certainly understand that we all have different tastes. Posted: 10/06/2026 20:27:43
I really appreciate your thoughts and the different perspective. I've always tended to prefer more colorful images.
I think my love of Van Gogh, which started when I was a teenager, probably had something to do with that. I've always been drawn to more dramatic images and tend to push my colors a little most of the time.
But I really enjoy hearing how other people see an image, and I certainly understand that we all have different tastes. Posted: 10/06/2026 20:27:43
Hello Bob, I think this is a great image. I love the layers and the colors. I don't think the colors are too much, I was in that area a few years ago and the golds and reds unreal. I do like the image better with the bright area a the bottom cropped out. Posted: 10/06/2026 21:50:41
Thanks, Lou. I was torn between cropping and leaving the bottom, but I may just clone out the bottom so I can keep that red maple in the lower right.
Our maples here in Washington are mostly Bigleaf and Japanese (not native), rather than Red or Sugar Maples. They may be different, but they're still my favorite bit of color in a green climate like ours. Posted: 10/07/2026 14:25:31
Our maples here in Washington are mostly Bigleaf and Japanese (not native), rather than Red or Sugar Maples. They may be different, but they're still my favorite bit of color in a green climate like ours. Posted: 10/07/2026 14:25:31