Charles Walker
October 2026 - Path Across the Common
Original
About the Image(s)
For a university located in a crowed metro area, the University of Maryland has an unusually spacious campus with a lot of open spaces, malls and commons. There are many opportunities for IR shots here, like this curvy path across one of the commons.
To render the final image, using PS 2026, Nik Efex Pro, and Topaz Photo, I cropped the image slightly, removed distractions, increased highlights in the center of the image, and darkened the edges.
Camera data: Nikon D7000, f/14, 1/60, 30mm, ISO=400.
5 comments posted
Hi Charles. I feel like almost repeating my comment to Melanie. You also have a perfect scene for IR photography, and you handled it nicely. The shape of the dark pavement leads us through the scene. I know it's subjective, but I would be a bit lighter on the vignette. I miss the tonal separation between the trees and the background in the top corners. I do like the way it keeps us along the path. Posted: 10/01/2026 14:21:23
I agree, the vignette is a tad too heavy. The foreground loses too much detail. Thank you. Posted: 10/01/2026 15:14:37
Charles,
Wonderful IR composition. You are fortunate to have such an idyllic place to shoot.
I will be the outlier. I like the darker foreground. The story is in depth of the frame where the path splits and heads off to the tree-lined background. The vignette brings your eye there. If you decide you want it softer go for it
Regards
Emil Posted: 10/02/2026 15:42:47
Wonderful IR composition. You are fortunate to have such an idyllic place to shoot.
I will be the outlier. I like the darker foreground. The story is in depth of the frame where the path splits and heads off to the tree-lined background. The vignette brings your eye there. If you decide you want it softer go for it
Regards
Emil Posted: 10/02/2026 15:42:47
I didn't "notice" the vignette until Arik mentioned it. I agree with Emil, keep it as is. I do like how the path splits at the end. Have you considered flipping the image on the horizontal? That way, the viewer would follow more naturally left to right. Posted: 10/02/2026 18:31:49
Hi Chuck, I've said it before - You are the king of the curve. This is perfect for IR. Your composition is lovely and it is perfectly processed. Posted: 10/04/2026 17:44:59