Raymond Tice
August 2026 - Our Path To The Viewpoint
Original
About the Image(s)
A few weeks ago, we spent a lovely week at a VRBO located on a 3700 ft elevation ridge literally located on the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, with great views east (into NC) and west (into TN). I had with me my Nikon D810 camera converted to IR (720 nm), which I have seldom used but finally decided to spend more time seeing what kind of photos I might get. The settings were 24mm f/1.8 lens, ISO 64, 1/200 sec at f/8, handheld. The raw image was processed in LR Classic using a series of masks to adjust the sky, vegetation, walkway, and chairs, along with about a 50% crop to make the chairs more prominent.
9 comments posted
Ray - I don't do IR, never have; nonetheless this image has a surreal, dreamlike quality. You did a nice job of capturing the story of the winding path leading to the two empty chairs that raise a question or questions in the viewer's mind, that I think creates a bit of intrigue - nice job with that.
I don't feel qualified to comment on the technical aspects of IR, but I will say the image looks pretty darn good to me :-)
Compositionally, I think you have several items competing with each other for attention - the leading line, the chairs, the bright textured clouds, the bright tree leaves on the left, the foliage under the tree and the rock. So, I flipped the image horizontally hoping to bring more cohesiveness and keep the eye from jumping around.
I would like your thoughts on my suggested flip.
Posted: 08/01/2026 14:48:55
I don't feel qualified to comment on the technical aspects of IR, but I will say the image looks pretty darn good to me :-)
Compositionally, I think you have several items competing with each other for attention - the leading line, the chairs, the bright textured clouds, the bright tree leaves on the left, the foliage under the tree and the rock. So, I flipped the image horizontally hoping to bring more cohesiveness and keep the eye from jumping around.
I would like your thoughts on my suggested flip.
Posted: 08/01/2026 14:48:55
Butch - I did not think of doing that and I do like the image better, but for anyone not familiar with the location. Thanks for thinking of that. Ray Posted: 08/01/2026 15:00:22
Ray, this is a matter photographers have debated for years.
If photographing Half Dome, Delicate Arch, the Golden Gate Bridge, or the Chicago skyline, I wouldn't even suggest it. For documentary work, I think flipping crosses a line.
If the goal is artistic expression rather than documentation, that's a different matter. And here I took my cue from your title. I viewed it as a local city park that could have been anywhere, so I didn't give it a second thought; painters have been rearranging mountains, rivers, clouds, and buildings for centuries.
You and I had very different perspectives - I focused on artistry not accurate documentation so I had an option you may not have had.
Posted: 08/02/2026 14:02:18
If photographing Half Dome, Delicate Arch, the Golden Gate Bridge, or the Chicago skyline, I wouldn't even suggest it. For documentary work, I think flipping crosses a line.
If the goal is artistic expression rather than documentation, that's a different matter. And here I took my cue from your title. I viewed it as a local city park that could have been anywhere, so I didn't give it a second thought; painters have been rearranging mountains, rivers, clouds, and buildings for centuries.
You and I had very different perspectives - I focused on artistry not accurate documentation so I had an option you may not have had.
Posted: 08/02/2026 14:02:18
One of my favorite genres Ray, is IR. Congratulations on a very strong image. The IR nature of this image has behaved exactly as it should, regarding the clouds, sky and foliage. Compositionally, you have included the right of elements to provide a well balanced image. The path coming either from left or right doesn't bother me one little bit. As Butch says, it's merely an artistic thing. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing some more B&W or IR images appear now and then. Don't be shy about visiting group 35 and leaving some comments there. Great job here Ray. Posted: 08/09/2026 05:14:45
Thanks Ian and I did visit group 35 but am shy/reserved, unsure about just leaving comments, Is it possible to join that group as well or is it filled up - would be a good way to get experience. Ray Posted: 08/11/2026 01:04:36
Never feel worried about commenting on images of other groups Ray. That is all part of the dialogue groups. I'm not the admin for group 35 so I can't say there's a vacancy for you. But having said that, never hesitate in visiting the group and commenting on my, or any other images, you will not be the first to do so, nor will you be the last. I always welcome your comments. Posted: 08/21/2026 08:25:15
RAay, I too, I have never taken an IR image so I'll leave that to those who know more. But the image itself is well composed I love the leading path into the Chairs....it took my eye immediately to that spot, then I perused the remaining landscape. I suspect that my lack of knowledge of IR hinders me some, but my eye flowed into the image and I enjoyed my finds as I moved through it. I really enjoy the variety that landscapes provide. And the area you stayed at is in Appalachian Mountains area? I've traveled Rt 40 and love the vistas....and the chairs put a homey touch to the scene. Posted: 08/10/2026 20:33:34
Thanks Sherry - the mts are part of the Blue Ridge MTs which are part of the Appalachians - in addition to the usual landscape photos of valleys and mts, its a great place to take time-lapse photos of clouds streaming most often from TN into NC. Ray Posted: 08/11/2026 01:11:05
Ray, the image first stuck me as being well balanced from foreground, mid, and background. I like the pathway to the chairs and feel that the image tells a story about place. The clouds on the right add drama and also balance to the tree on the left side. Very nice composure and work in Post. Posted: 08/21/2026 19:10:51