About the Image(s)
Arik will easily remember his trip to scenic Parke County just over a year ago now. Unfortunately, I was unable to join him.
I went over just a few weeks ago while the trees still had their leaves and took several images in both color and infrared. It's very difficult,
in my view, to capture a 'unique' and 'high impact' covered bridge image...they all can look so cliche' or appear as good record shots.
I went into the dry creek bed for this one at Mansfield, IN, and shot directly into the sun. I took care to allow the sun to 'flare' by shooting it partially
obscured by the foliage and using a small f-stop. Post processing in NIK Silver Efex Pro and reducing brightness gave me the qualitites of Black & White
that I was looking for. I welcome and appreciate your views as always.
Emil Davidzuk
Gary,
You broke away from routine covered bridge photos and put your spin on it.
I like the composition, the diffuse sun light, and the Sun itself pushing through the leaves.
Do you think a slight drop in exposure would enhance it a bit?
Regards
Emil Posted: 11/01/2024 19:04:09
Gary Potts
Good suggestion, Emil. For a print, I'll do precisely as you suggested. Thanks for the feedback. Posted: 11/06/2024 13:54:09
Jack Florence Jr
It's beautiful, Gary. What's striking to me is how well you handled the exposure. We're looking into the sun, and yet there is no glare or over exposed areas. The only very minor issue I might have, is that I'm divided between two images, one on the left and and one on the right. I think the sun being so compelling and placed to the right of the main tree, takes my eye over there. Posted: 11/04/2024 02:00:41
Gary Potts
Thanks for the feedback, Jack. For me, the tree adds symmetry, and having the bridge, then the starburst, separate from one another is not an issue compositionally. Just my view. Posted: 11/06/2024 13:55:24
Arik Gorban
Hi Gary. Very nicely done. The light and your composition made it special. I agree that there are many snapshots of covered bridges. They are rarely interesting, unless you do something creative, as you did here. Following your recommendations, I spent a whole day driving around Parke County and photographing the landscapes, towns, and bridges. The stormy weather that day worked to my advantage. Well done. Posted: 11/04/2024 17:53:01
Gary Potts
Thanks, Arik...if you're back out this way again, we'll head back together to Parke County! Posted: 11/06/2024 13:56:08
Henry Heerschap
Beautiful image, Gary. I'm impressed with the quality of your sunstar as I find IR sun flare to be pretty extreme when I'm pointing the camera that way. Overall, the composition is interesting and the quality of processing is your usual high quality. Posted: 11/04/2024 21:00:57
Gary Potts
Thanks, Henry. I agree...I have SOOOOOOOO many IR's with large, blown out sections due to lens flare...guess it can happen with regular shots too. I took great care to see in the viewfinder and select the exact spot for it not to flare. The smaller aperture helped as well. Posted: 11/06/2024 13:57:48
Henry Heerschap
Good tips. I almost always wear a Tilly hat when I'm out shooting, especially IR. It makes a great sun shield! Posted: 11/06/2024 16:30:02
Melanie Hurwitz
Gary, You are so right. I'm always excited to photograph covered bridges and am less than enthused when viewing them once downloaded. So well done on doing it differently. The sun flare is perfect and well thought out. It does appear somewhat darker than I like. There is lots of detail to be found in the shadows. Posted: 11/10/2024 18:29:50
