Morning Rocks

b.van_der_dylan · 16-02-2008, 02:20

I'd be interested in comments on this sunrise

**Dabhand16** · 16-02-2008, 08:37

For me there is the appearance of something not quite right here. I think that the shadows around the rock are causing my confusion. On the LHS it looks as if there is a shadow being cast from light coming over your right shoulder - although I suspect it is really the shadow from the high central part of the rock. Nevertheless, it gives me the impression of it being added. The grass behind it is adding to the illusion as it has got different lighting to the mid ground of the picuture.

From a composition point of view, I don't like the way the horizon is at the same level as the top of the ravine. I think a lower viewpoint would have cured both of these issues.

The sky looks great

and I think it would benefit from some work to reduce the brightness.

Foxesbrew · 16-02-2008, 09:17

For me the bottom half of the shot is not helping.crop it away and i think there is a very good picture trying to get out.

Whipspeed · 16-02-2008, 10:57

Now I like the rock in the foreground, but agree with Graham that the horizon between the ravine is not best placed, but understand that you can're really move it. A grad filter would have kept more detail in the sky where it is a bit bright on the right hand side, and I would have toned down the yellow colour in the grass behind the rock.
Lovely view though, where is it?

JMitchell · 16-02-2008, 11:49

I really like the exposure for the grass and sky, but as said the left of the sky is too light, but the 'unnatural-ness' doesn't bother me really, although I can understand the points being made.
Sarah I think he did use a grad

Les Meehan · 16-02-2008, 13:00

This is definitely my kind of composition and mood, I like it a lot!

I do agree with several of the points made; the horizon line could easily have been lowered by a slightly lower viewpoint as Graham suggests without killing the overall composition, the colours do look 'punchy', did you increase saturation for the foreground?

Difficult to see on small image but is that dark edge Graham has mentioned a bit of a 'dodgey' selection? I get the impression that maybe you have combined two images to cope with the contrast (was the rock very dark?) and this dark edge might be caused by the selection used to reveal the detail. Can it be eliminated by adjusting the layer mask and/or feathering it so it blends better? Just a guess, give us more info!

Cheers

Rob Barron · 16-02-2008, 17:57

Although I like HDR to a limited extent, where it gives the picture more depth, I am not a big fan of this type where the tones all feel a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, the dynamic range is clearly there from full white to full black but the tones are so even that it lacks bite. As I say though, this is typical of a lot of landscape HDR shots so is really a matter of personal preference.

I have a feeling that your eyes saw a greater, more dynamic scene than we are seeing here B.

Cheers,
Rob

JMitchell · 16-02-2008, 18:00

Guys I am pretty sure this isn't HDR...judging by his other shots, he just used an ND grad.....
We await the answer from the perpetrator.

b.van_der_dylan · 16-02-2008, 19:17

thanks all , great posts above and a lot to take in.

this shot was neither hdr or nd grad and this could be one of the problems. I just checked out the original raw and the fg and sky are exposed pretty well but the middle ground in the valley is very dark. I probably tweaked the curves ( in wrong direction to normal contrast tweaking) too much which could have lead to the flat look mention by Rob

Going to read the excellent posts above again and post shortly. thanks to everyone

b.van_der_dylan · 17-02-2008, 07:28

Graham. lighting is a bit strange but no additions in that respect. Comp wise I agree hundred percent , lower would have been better- thanks

Whipspeed this was pre ND grad for me and agree if I took it today ND grad would be the way to go and agree with other comments sky too light.This was taken at near Durban,S Africa

Photography is a steep learning curve. When I took this I was happy with it but recently I am changing my mind due to seeing other peoples shots,other comments and learning more on pp side.

thanks for all comments really appreciate it cheers
Andrew

Les Meehan · 17-02-2008, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.van_der_dylan

Photography is a steep learning curve. When I took this I was happy with it but recently I am changing my mind due to seeing other peoples shots,other comments and learning more on pp side.
Andrew

Don't be disappointed with this image!

There is nothing 'wrong' with it! What you are hearing are simply different opinions about the image, none of which are 'right' and none are 'wrong' just different opinions from people with different vision (in the artistic sense).

I for one would be more than happy to have this image in my portfolio! (if you really don't want it

my email is...)

Sure we learn from others views but don't let those views necessarily put you off an image. Yes, use any ideas for modification that you feel fit with your personal vision, but not simply because they come from people that have more knowledge/experience.

If you keep producing images this good I'm afraid I'll have to put in a request with the Crew that you, along with that MonkeyDave guy and his studio portraits, get thrown out of here for being too flippin' good!!

Just my tuppence worth...

Cheers

b.van_der_dylan · 17-02-2008, 11:13

you right Les, what I meant to say and I didn't put it across well, was I still like this image its just not one of my favourites any more,unlike when I first took it.

lol at your post though, if you going to put it that request in I can add a lot more names to your list

Les Meehan · 17-02-2008, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.van_der_dylan

you right Les, what I meant to say and I didn't put it across well, was I still like this image its just not one of my favourites any more,unlike when I first took it.

lol at your post though, if you going to put it that request in I can add a lot more names to your list

Whipspeed · 17-02-2008, 11:52

Agree with Les, I'd also be happy for this to be in my portfolio, you do have an eye for landscape, which is something that to be truthful I lack, only critiques have been minor ways to improve on what is a good shot.
We're all on that steep learning curve, and it's bloody slippy as well, I sometimes seem to keep sliding back down.

16-02-2008, 02:20	#1 (permalink)
b.van_der_dylan Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 739	Morning Rocks I'd be interested in comments on this sunrise

16-02-2008, 08:37	#2 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 9,643	Re: Morning Rocks For me there is the appearance of something not quite right here. I think that the shadows around the rock are causing my confusion. On the LHS it looks as if there is a shadow being cast from light coming over your right shoulder - although I suspect it is really the shadow from the high central part of the rock. Nevertheless, it gives me the impression of it being added. The grass behind it is adding to the illusion as it has got different lighting to the mid ground of the picuture. From a composition point of view, I don't like the way the horizon is at the same level as the top of the ravine. I think a lower viewpoint would have cured both of these issues. The sky looks great and I think it would benefit from some work to reduce the brightness. __________________ Graham

16-02-2008, 09:17	#3 (permalink)
Foxesbrew Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: west sussex Posts: 1,131	Re: Morning Rocks For me the bottom half of the shot is not helping.crop it away and i think there is a very good picture trying to get out.

16-02-2008, 10:57	#4 (permalink)
Whipspeed Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 1,442	Re: Morning Rocks Now I like the rock in the foreground, but agree with Graham that the horizon between the ravine is not best placed, but understand that you can're really move it. A grad filter would have kept more detail in the sky where it is a bit bright on the right hand side, and I would have toned down the yellow colour in the grass behind the rock. Lovely view though, where is it?

16-02-2008, 11:49	#5 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,660	Re: Morning Rocks I really like the exposure for the grass and sky, but as said the left of the sky is too light, but the 'unnatural-ness' doesn't bother me really, although I can understand the points being made. Sarah I think he did use a grad

16-02-2008, 13:00	#6 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 782	Re: Morning Rocks This is definitely my kind of composition and mood, I like it a lot! I do agree with several of the points made; the horizon line could easily have been lowered by a slightly lower viewpoint as Graham suggests without killing the overall composition, the colours do look 'punchy', did you increase saturation for the foreground? Difficult to see on small image but is that dark edge Graham has mentioned a bit of a 'dodgey' selection? I get the impression that maybe you have combined two images to cope with the contrast (was the rock very dark?) and this dark edge might be caused by the selection used to reveal the detail. Can it be eliminated by adjusting the layer mask and/or feathering it so it blends better? Just a guess, give us more info! Cheers __________________ Les Meehan www.zone2tone.co.uk www.creativeinsightworkshops.com

16-02-2008, 17:57	#7 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,386	Re: Morning Rocks Although I like HDR to a limited extent, where it gives the picture more depth, I am not a big fan of this type where the tones all feel a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, the dynamic range is clearly there from full white to full black but the tones are so even that it lacks bite. As I say though, this is typical of a lot of landscape HDR shots so is really a matter of personal preference. I have a feeling that your eyes saw a greater, more dynamic scene than we are seeing here B. Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

16-02-2008, 18:00	#8 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,660	Re: Morning Rocks Guys I am pretty sure this isn't HDR...judging by his other shots, he just used an ND grad..... We await the answer from the perpetrator.

16-02-2008, 19:17	#9 (permalink)
b.van_der_dylan Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 739	Re: Morning Rocks thanks all , great posts above and a lot to take in. this shot was neither hdr or nd grad and this could be one of the problems. I just checked out the original raw and the fg and sky are exposed pretty well but the middle ground in the valley is very dark. I probably tweaked the curves ( in wrong direction to normal contrast tweaking) too much which could have lead to the flat look mention by Rob Going to read the excellent posts above again and post shortly. thanks to everyone

17-02-2008, 07:28	#10 (permalink)
b.van_der_dylan Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 739	Re: Morning Rocks Graham. lighting is a bit strange but no additions in that respect. Comp wise I agree hundred percent , lower would have been better- thanks Whipspeed this was pre ND grad for me and agree if I took it today ND grad would be the way to go and agree with other comments sky too light.This was taken at near Durban,S Africa Photography is a steep learning curve. When I took this I was happy with it but recently I am changing my mind due to seeing other peoples shots,other comments and learning more on pp side. thanks for all comments really appreciate it cheers Andrew

17-02-2008, 11:13	#12 (permalink)
b.van_der_dylan Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 739	Re: Morning Rocks you right Les, what I meant to say and I didn't put it across well, was I still like this image its just not one of my favourites any more,unlike when I first took it. lol at your post though, if you going to put it that request in I can add a lot more names to your list

17-02-2008, 11:52	#14 (permalink)
Whipspeed Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 1,442	Re: Morning Rocks Agree with Les, I'd also be happy for this to be in my portfolio, you do have an eye for landscape, which is something that to be truthful I lack, only critiques have been minor ways to improve on what is a good shot. We're all on that steep learning curve, and it's bloody slippy as well, I sometimes seem to keep sliding back down.

17-02-2008, 17:59	#15 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,386