Chris Reinhold
January 2025 - Peeking Out at the First Snow
Original
About the Image(s)
Was out on a walk in a local nature preserve when I came across this mushroom popping out of a log. Looked like the mushroom was popping out to take a look at the first snow of the season. Setup my camera on a tripod for this image and used focus bracketing to capture 50 images. Using Helicon, I choose 20 images and combined them for this image. I then used Photoshop and camera raw to adjust the image and convert into monochrome. I did use the Focus Blur Gallery tool in Photoshop to blur the foreground and the background more.
Canon R5
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro
1/30 sec at f/7.1, ISO 640
6 comments posted
(Groups 83 & 87)
Hi Chris, and Happy New Year!
Was passing by and saw this intriguing image ... your featured work is very intriguing, indeed, as you bring us down to where the insects and animals enjoy an alternative perspective from humans. Lovely Work!!
Upon seeing the Original, I love that even more! Why?
"Points to Ponder"
I will suggest, one of the key attributes to the original is the variety of shapes and textures across this amazing frame. Alternatively, the Featured work has omitted most, thus, revealing less, than the original.
Both are stellar compositions, but one, enjoys the benefit of a larger/wider Stage, and thus (perhaps)a better overall performance is enjoyed by the actors, and perhaps creating more staying power with spectators.
(I took the liberty to edit the original as a comparison within a B&W aesthetic using a (Green Filter) during the conversion from the color original).
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Global B&W Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director
lance.visualizingart@gmail.com
Posted: 01/02/2025 19:12:44
Was passing by and saw this intriguing image ... your featured work is very intriguing, indeed, as you bring us down to where the insects and animals enjoy an alternative perspective from humans. Lovely Work!!
Upon seeing the Original, I love that even more! Why?
"Points to Ponder"
I will suggest, one of the key attributes to the original is the variety of shapes and textures across this amazing frame. Alternatively, the Featured work has omitted most, thus, revealing less, than the original.
Both are stellar compositions, but one, enjoys the benefit of a larger/wider Stage, and thus (perhaps)a better overall performance is enjoyed by the actors, and perhaps creating more staying power with spectators.
(I took the liberty to edit the original as a comparison within a B&W aesthetic using a (Green Filter) during the conversion from the color original).
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Global B&W Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director
lance.visualizingart@gmail.com
Posted: 01/02/2025 19:12:44
Lance, Thanks for your feedback on the cropping of the image. I definitely appreciate your thoughts on the wider (original) crop of the image. Posted: 01/06/2025 02:33:14
(Groups 83 & 87)
My pleasure, Chris!! Posted: 01/07/2025 22:18:51
Michael Laezza
Chris - I was drawn into the image by the small mushroom that somehow managed to thrive in a small hole in a decayed log. I go for long walks in conservation areas and, as you, find amazing subjects ( plants and animals ) to photograph in decaying logs/roots. I particularly like to focus close as the smallest subjects are the most interesting. With this bias in mind I cropped your image to satisfy more my interest - as your image is excellent as is. Posted: 01/15/2025 03:20:56
Hi Chris - very well spotted and implemented. Congratulations. It is a particular challenge to document the relation between two items in a way that the viewers get it. You did a great job to highlight the surprising combination of snow and mushrooms.
My alternative version would remove the out of focus area in the front, darken the foreground with a linear gradient and darkeining everything except snow and mushroom. Posted: 01/15/2025 09:42:12
My alternative version would remove the out of focus area in the front, darken the foreground with a linear gradient and darkeining everything except snow and mushroom. Posted: 01/15/2025 09:42:12
Chris
The iconic mushroom growing in decaying matter is a nice shot and then with the snow in the frame it raises the ante.
The rough texture of the log, compared to the smooth lines of the mushroom and the snow crystals bring nature to the viewer in a unique way.
Well seen
Emil Posted: 01/15/2025 15:08:45
The iconic mushroom growing in decaying matter is a nice shot and then with the snow in the frame it raises the ante.
The rough texture of the log, compared to the smooth lines of the mushroom and the snow crystals bring nature to the viewer in a unique way.
Well seen
Emil Posted: 01/15/2025 15:08:45