Henry Heerschap  


Disrupting the Pattern by Henry Heerschap

October 2024 - Disrupting the Pattern

October 2024 - Henry Heerschap

Original

About the Image(s)

I was in the Palouse region of Washington State at the beginning of September. My wife and I were there for a night photography workshop, but we took time during the day as well. By early September, most of the wheat and other crops in this area have been harvested leaving all kinds
of interesting patterns and textures in the hills. The soil peaking through the stubble of the fields really stands out when shooting IR. I liked this trio of trees and the way the lines and curves flowed around them.
I did the b&w conversion in Lightroom Classic using the B&W06 profile, then did some basic exposure adjustments. I then took it into Photoshop and cleaned up the power pole and a few other elements. I also replaced the blah sky with one of many skies I loaded into PS's Sky Replacement
tool. I used the Nik Color Efex Pro Detail Extractor and finished it with On1 Effects Dynamic Contrast along with a slight vignette.
Sony A7R IV (full spectrum conversion), 720nm filter, Sony 100-400 lens. ISO 200, 196mm, f/11, 1/200 second. Shot handheld


This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted




Jack Florence Jr   Jack Florence Jr
Your image brings back fond memories for me, Henry. But I have never visited outside of the popular June-July period, so here, the soil and the stubble add some interesting texture, as you mention. The tree grouping is just what the image needs, to provide even a nominal subject for that interesting background; I like how there are three, and in different stages of "disrepair" as it were.   Posted: 10/02/2024 21:55:32
Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
Thanks, Jack.   Posted: 10/03/2024 15:54:14



Gary Potts   Gary Potts
Hi Henry,

A magical place, and a splendid composition. The 3 trees are perfectly placed, and the image screams of texture and lines. What I personally find missing is contrast. You have the Levels set just fine, but I darkened the image 14% and added a touch of contrast. I didn't want to lose any detail in the stubble and earth. Here's my adjusted version just as an alternative. Wish I could make it back here one day...   Posted: 10/03/2024 15:02:23
Comment Image
Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
It occurred to me after submitting my entry that I should have done a little "what would Gary do?" processing first just to see if I liked it. What I came up with was very similar to your version and I have to admit that I preferred the higher contrast approach. You're rubbing off on me, Gary!   Posted: 10/03/2024 15:57:36



Arik Gorban   Arik Gorban
I love the patterns in the rolling hills and the few tree anchoring the viewers' eyes. Beautifully composed and handled.   Posted: 10/06/2024 16:11:28



Charles Walker   Charles Walker
Henry, I can see why photographers are attracted to this place. Yours is the first IR photo I have seen. It is magnificent. The curving patterns and the simplicity of the 3 trees makes for a very strong, artful, composition.   Posted: 10/09/2024 01:41:14
Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
Thanks, Charles. It is an outstanding place for IR. I have one friend (Thibault Roland) who leads workshops out there every year with IR as one of his key themes.   Posted: 10/09/2024 02:49:25



Melanie Hurwitz   Melanie Hurwitz
Henry, This is lovely. As I have not yet visited the Palouse region, it reminds me of Tuscany. It's not just a photograph of a group of trees, the surrounding hills are beautifully rendered. My brain does say that you should add more contrast. It would accentuate the V shape around the trees as shown in the original.   Posted: 10/11/2024 17:57:37
Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
Thanks, Melanie. I've seen many photo workshops advertise the area as the "Tuscany of North America." It makes me chuckle since instead of Italian villas, you have old barns and trucks, but the terrain does compare favorably. It's sort of in our backyard (i.e. a five hour drive) so we do find it easy to get over that way every year or two.
I totally agree with you about the contrast. I've submitted a version processed similarly to Gary's version to a regional photo competition. We'll see how it does.   Posted: 10/11/2024 18:05:31



Emil Davidzuk   Emil Davidzuk
Henry

There is something unmistakable about the Palouse as far as imagery goes for me. I have been there a couple of times and it is such a photo rich area.

Love your take of the harvest there with the trees for accent.

Well done

Emil   Posted: 10/11/2024 18:42:15
Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
Thanks, Emil!   Posted: 10/11/2024 20:53:25