Fall Color Reflected

[slejhamer]

We've had very little Fall color this year, but one tree in my yard is showing some nice yellow/orange. In our mini-van's windows it appeared distorted and much more prominent than it really is.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Failed experiment?

http://members.cox.net/mschlesinger/fall_trees.jpg

[Leighow]

MITCH

This is a tough one, and I am afarid that I have no better solution to offer. Never thought of this idea. Does the car have those dark tinted windows?

At first I was drawn to the reflection, and thought that I was looking at water! The colors are fabulous.. this deep blue sky and complementary orange leaves, and the greens.. and the obviously sunlite scene. Plus, the color and framing of the paint and windows reminded me of CONK's Fall photo frames.

So, given the concept. I find it hard to alter or improve. The only question seems to me to be framing.

* My first idea was to try to get the car's body to become the frame and so eliminate the roof rails. But that fails because of the curves involved (Note that the Kodak tip site did not have to worry about this in their post of a view THROUGH a wrecked car's window, because that view (beyond the window frame) joined up with the overalll scene.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/pictureTaking/top10/10TipsMain.shtml

* I debated about moving the car or camera to a diferent position, to allow the left side of the frame to be aligned to the glass split. But I didn't know what that would do to the image (e.g. angular distortion, etc).

* Then I wondered about Eland's recent post-with-2-views and whether aligning (optical distortions permitting) this reflection onto a matching direct-on shot of the trees would lead anywhere.

On close, I guess that I would try to frame tighter to the vehicle's body with subject more concentated on one window, then black-edge the image.

Great idea. Great color. Great execution.

HOWIE

[Conk]

I think it's pretty cool. I would like to see the same shot without the van showing but just the distorted image in the glass.

[slejhamer]

Thanks Howie and Colin. Positioning was tough; I had very limited space in which to place the tripod (needed a long exposure at small aperture) and couldn't move the van to a better location without taking out a retaining wall by my hilly driveway... I will see if nature grants me another opportunity this week.

Tx,

[Leighow]

MITCH

You have beautiful shot. Maybe it is perfect the way it is. The sky is amazinging blue.

HOWIE

[slejhamer]

Leighow wrote:
The sky is amazinging blue.


Circular polarizer made a huge difference. I think the dark windows (not quite black) added to the contrast and color saturation. Thanks again!

[henkbos]

No way. Like this one. Might have even been better if you canget rid of the frame of the car.