Shari Garnsey
July 2026 - Amber Silhouette (aka Foggy Tree)
Original
About the Image(s)
A fog enshrouded tree in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains. I wanted to capture the tree and was thinking it would be great in monochrome but I really liked how the pop of color in the grass set some contrast.
I tightened the composition and straightened the horizon and then played a little with contrast, highlights, shadows, whites and blacks in Camera Raw to pull out the tree.
I like this image but it still feels a little flat ??“ any thoughts on what might give it a little more depth?
Camera: Nikon Z8, Lens: NIKKOR 16??“80 mm f/6 ??“ 4E, Settings: 38mm for 1/80 sec at f/4, ISO 80
8 comments posted
Hi Shari, I do like your coloured version and think you have done a great job of cropping and making the grass stand out. I think the coloured grass adds extra interest to the image. There seems to be just the right amount of fog. Posted: 07/01/2026 09:34:21
Thanks Julie Posted: 07/02/2026 13:13:35
Hi Shari, I agree with Julie. I like seeing some of the green grass in the original. It adds more depth and interest. You did a nice job of cropping out the branch at the top right and putting the tree off-center. Well done! Posted: 07/02/2026 17:08:13
Thanks Janice Posted: 07/13/2026 19:47:53
Hi, Shari. There is something about fog! I think keeping the color of the grass is good. I don't think you can pull out the tree and keep the feeling of the fog. It's one thing I struggle with when I take these types of shots. The beauty is in the otherworldly feel. Posted: 07/03/2026 18:58:57
Thanks Elaine - that's what I thought too. Appreciate the perspective Posted: 07/13/2026 19:48:56
Hey Shari. Nice shot. I love shooting in the fog. As long as I can find where I parked when I am done. I am not sure what else could be done here. My question was... did you want the tree to be in the fog, like the original, or did you want to bring out the tree a little. You could increase Texture and Dehaze, but not like you normally would. I like it, and I like the composition. Posted: 07/13/2026 19:46:22
So right Don - keep one foot near the car so I can find it again LOL. The fog was super dense that day. I (think?) I brought the tree out a little, but you are right. When I played with the Texture and Dehaze, it lost the depth so I played with the tones as if it was black and white; I also used the sharpening brush in PS and hit just the trunk and large branches a little. Appreciate the feedback. Posted: 07/13/2026 19:52:38