outside the fall color box

the light hasn't been the best when I've ventured out in search of fall color landscapes. so, I've been forced to try something different than the grand vistas i've been in search of. I suspect this won't be for everybody, but, I wonder what people think.

thanks for looking.

ryan

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I love it... well done! very minamalistic, but, without a shadow of doubt, gets the message across

I think it's a cool shot. It looks like it could be one of those inspirational posters with the quotes across the bottom. Question...did you place the leaf or find it there? Just curious.

I really like it too! Isn't it crazy how something most of us would have overlooked while in search of "grand vistas" turns out to be an awesome picture?

discdawg09 wrote in post #6419986
I think it's a cool shot. It looks like it could be one of those inspirational posters with the quotes across the bottom. Question...did you place the leaf or find it there? Just curious.

I found the leaf a few feet away from this spot and moved to more "attractive" mud. thanks for the comment.

By the way, I sort of prefer the uninspirational posters . . . such as the one with the leaning tower of pisa that reads:

"mediocrity: it takes a lot less time and most people won't notice until it's too late."

those kill me.

Cdeming wrote in post #6420558
I really like it too! Isn't it crazy how something most of us would have overlooked while in search of "grand vistas" turns out to be an awesome picture?

I feel like I probably pass up shots like this constantly and really try to force myself to pay attention to less obvious opportunities.

thanks,

ryan

Hey Ryan,
I've done shots like this as well that I've really liked and usually they meet with a negative response, so I'm glad you're getting some favorable comments here. I do like the composition here but the one thing I might have done differently is that I think the ground under the leaf is too dark. The ground there looks like it has some very interesting texture to it, but especially around the bottom of the image it gets completely lost in the blackness. I would suggest maybe playing around with the Shadow/Highlight tool in PS and see if you could bring that up a little.

Just my $.02,
Jim

I am the opposite if Jim:p I love the dark BG, but I feel the leaf could use a slight light to it?

Walczak Photo wrote in post #6423181
Hey Ryan,
I've done shots like this as well that I've really liked and usually they meet with a negative response, so I'm glad you're getting some favorable comments here. I do like the composition here but the one thing I might have done differently is that I think the ground under the leaf is too dark. The ground there looks like it has some very interesting texture to it, but especially around the bottom of the image it gets completely lost in the blackness. I would suggest maybe playing around with the Shadow/Highlight tool in PS and see if you could bring that up a little.

Just my $.02,
Jim

the darkness of the ground was actually enhanced through PS. I thought that although the leaf isn't particularly vibrant, the very dark background added a nice contrast. and the darkness on the bottom part of the image is from the vignetting that I applied.

I thought about brightening up the leaf too, but, I thought that the brightness (or lack thereof) went along with the overall feeling of the photo.

thank you for your comments. I may go back and visit the levels again. Anyone else think the tones are off?

ryan

Its a great photo regardless of our nits

I personally like the contrast. My eyes, obviously, are drawn to the leaf immediately, then wander around the page following the crevices in the mud. What would be cool is a series of 3 maybe, with the green leaf to the left and an orange/reddish in the middle and finally brown to the right.

I think this was well executed. No changes to the background needed... if you up the lighting or contrast on the ground, it would just compete with the leaf and I don't think you want to do that. I thought about this being an imperfect leaf with the darker, dirty portions of the left side of the leaf blending too much into the background... but then again, who wants a perfect leaf?

This photo is solid.

Reign wrote in post #6425422
I think this was well executed. No changes to the background needed... if you up the lighting or contrast on the ground, it would just compete with the leaf and I don't think you want to do that. I thought about this being an imperfect leaf with the darker, dirty portions of the left side of the leaf blending too much into the background... but then again, who wants a perfect leaf?

This photo is solid.

yeah, I briefly had wished that it was a perfect/pristine leaf. Then, I decided I like it just the way it is. I think it adds a certain something.

thanks for the comments.

ryan

You made a shot out of nothing. I like your take on uninsp. posters. It does look nice though.

minimalistic...hmm...n​ice leaf

Cool shot. Perspective.