"Untitled" - C&C welcome

[masayako]

"Untitled" - C&C welcome


http://joseph.smugmug.com/Nature/2008-09-21-Hidden-Sands/2145653980059246994/699144448_oRGTD-L.jpg (http://joseph.smugmug.com/Nature/2008-09-21-Hidden-Sands/10161434_2KESb/1/#699144448_oRGTD-A-LB)

[Living Daylight]

I love it. Definitely beyond my ability to critique.

It would be great to have a few more details (time of day, camera settings, etc.)

[Mikeroscope]

I really like it. The water looks like fog around the rocks. How long of an exposure was this? Reminds me of one of those motivational posters that has a word then a saying under it.

Something about the horizon bothers me. Maybe there is not enough sky to balance out the water. It distracts me from the rocks which is the cool part of the photo. I actually think its the black border thats bugging me. Was this cropped? Is it possible to include more sky?

[Hannya]

Hi. I love this too. But I agree about the sky and horizon. Either more of the sky or cut it out altogether. I think this would look great printed large.

[Flo]

I really like it. The water looks like fog around the rocks. How long of an exposure was this? Reminds me of one of those motivational posters that has a word then a saying under it.

Something about the horizon bothers me. Maybe there is not enough sky to balance out the water. It distracts me from the rocks which is the cool part of the photo. I actually think its the black border thats bugging me. Was this cropped? Is it possible to include more sky?

I also agree with this.

[AlexMoPhotography]

Great look and colors, although I don't really like how all the darkness bleeds into your borders.

[saglik]

Great capture.
Well done.

[masayako]

Thank you all. When I get home, I will remove the black frame from the background.

[AWGD8]

Thank you all. When I get home, I will remove the black frame from the background.

Nice long exposure capture. Did you also convert this to single RAW HDR?

[aebrown]

Love the colors with this one! Nicely done. However, I do agree with others about the horizon, maybe we could see more of it? If not, oh well, no image is perfect!

[Benji]

There are several things that keep this "nice" and not "wow." First of all the back side of most of the rocks is jet black with no detail. Secondly the most interesting rock (the large one with the reflection) is dead center.

Benji

[scorpio_e]

Crop it a bit differently and it is a killer shot. Well done:)

[airfrogusmc]

I'll go against the grain here. I think Adams said and I'm paraphrasing that if detail helps the visual statement then make sure its there other wise don't sweet it. I don't think the rocks need a lot of shadow detail because I think this image is about the light. It actually reminds me of a Wynn Bullock image. I do think it would be better as a B&W. I really like the composition and if you notice the hottest rock is in a very good spot. The way that the rocks lead your eye into the image (if the rock in the front center were brighter it would hold your eye there) and lead it to the horizon is VERY WELL DONE.

Heres a couple of images that I've seen the actual prints. These images on the web don't do the prints justice but there is detail in the areas Adams wanted and needed detail in and where the detail is insignificant he let it go.

http://marlett-choi.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/22/ansel_adams_river_2.jpg

http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/41129-large.jpg

http://photography-now.net/listings/images/stories/users/ansel_adams_01.jpg

masayako this is a very nice image. Try it as a B&W, its spectacular.

I would loose the borders.

[masayako]

airfrogusmc,

Thank you for the detailed reply. I will go home and make a few adjustments (B&W, Loose the border etc) and see if looks more visually interesting.

I appreciate the responses.

Masayako

I'll go against the grain here. I think Adams said and I'm paraphrasing that if detail helps the visual statement then make sure its there other wise don't sweet it. I don't think the rocks need a lot of shadow detail because I think this image is about the light. It actually reminds me of a Wynn Bullock image. I do think it would be better as a B&W. I really like the composition and if you notice the hottest rock is in a very good spot. The way that the rocks lead your eye into the image (if the rock in the front center were brighter it would hold your eye there) and lead it to the horizon is VERY WELL DONE.

Heres a couple of images that I've seen the actual prints. These images on the web don't do the prints justice but there is detail in the areas Adams wanted and needed detail in and where the detail is insignificant he let it go.

http://marlett-choi.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/22/ansel_adams_river_2.jpg

http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/41129-large.jpg

http://photography-now.net/listings/images/stories/users/ansel_adams_01.jpg

masayako this is a very nice image. Try it as a B&W, its spectacular.

I would loose the borders.

[OdiN1701]

The only thing that I notice are that there appears to be a bit of a ghost effect on the edges of some of the rocks. Not sure what that is from and if it is something that was introduced in the PP or if it's just one of those optical tricks on the eyes. Can't tell with this small of a photo.

Other than that, frame it and hang it!

[airfrogusmc]

airfrogusmc,

Thank you for the detailed reply. I will go home and make a few adjustments (B&W, Loose the border etc) and see if looks more visually interesting.

I appreciate the responses.

Masayako

Try it in B&W. Its your decision but it would be a killer in B&W. I really like this image. Great job. I wouldn't touch the crop at all on this I think its composed beautifully. And the subject in this image in my opinion is the light as well as the shore. In a good deal of Adams work light was usually as much the subject as the landscape.

For some inspiration check out the work of Wynn Bullock and Minor White if you haven't already. Good job and keep up the beautiful work.

[masayako]

Here is a Black & White version: (Click image for full resolution)
http://joseph.smugmug.com/Nature/2008-09-21-Hidden-Sands/stones2BW/703796411_pnLtU-M.jpg (http://joseph.smugmug.com/Nature/2008-09-21-Hidden-Sands/10161434_2KESb/1/#703796411_pnLtU-A-LB)

[airfrogusmc]

Here is a Black & White version: (Click image for full resolution)
http://joseph.smugmug.com/Nature/2008-09-21-Hidden-Sands/stones2BW/703796411_pnLtU-M.jpg (http://joseph.smugmug.com/Nature/2008-09-21-Hidden-Sands/10161434_2KESb/1/#703796411_pnLtU-A-LB)

You shouldn't have cropped it. I think your original vision was right on because the darker sky helped balance the dark area on the bottom so I think you should leave in the horizon. It looks great otherwise.

[chauncey]

Joseph, I took a moment to peruse your images in your gallery...the "moment" was considerably longer than I originally intended. You do good work my friend. ;)
Gotta agree with my marine friend , a lot of them would make killer B&W images.

[masayako]

Chauncey,

Thank you for the kind words & encouragement. I really enjoy the photog experience, the process. The end result is just a bonus. The feeling of being in the right place, at the right time with the rigth perspective in front of me is just amazing. Once the moment is gone, it's gone forever. No two photos are exactly the same.

In regards to this stone photo, I personally perfer the original color version as well. The blue makes me ponder and imagine a bit more. Hope you understand what I mean. Drop me a note, add me as friend in Smugmug. Keep in touch, my friends.

-Joseph

Joseph, I took a moment to peruse your images in your gallery...the "moment" was considerably longer than I originally intended. You do good work my friend. ;)
Gotta agree with my marine friend , a lot of them would make killer B&W images.

[airfrogusmc]

Chauncey,

Thank you for the kind words & encouragement. I really enjoy the photog experience, the process. The end result is just a bonus. The feeling of being in the right place, at the right time with the rigth perspective in front of me is just amazing. Once the moment is gone, it's gone forever. No two photos are exactly the same.

In regards to this stone photo, I personally perfer the original color version as well. The blue makes me ponder and imagine a bit more. Hope you understand what I mean. Drop me a note, add me as friend in Smugmug. Keep in touch, my friends.

-Joseph

If you're going to go color I say go back to the original crop. ;) You're the artist bro its your image. I say good either way.

[chauncey]

FWIW...your work reminds me of John Paul... http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/

[airfrogusmc]

FWIW...your work reminds me of John Paul... http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/
And a touch of Wynn Bullock
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Potx4fnuRaU/Rm-W4lkQUtI/AAAAAAAAB0I/dd2e6KwipZA/s400/wynn+bullock+stark+tree.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/1579065155_2f2fe962bf.jpg?v=0

And let the dark areas go dark like Wynn did in this image.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/1936443642_f6f3f24049.jpg?v=0