Summer Serenity

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 8, 2010267 views19 comments

Sometimes the simplest things are the most powerful. You wouldn’t believe the aggravation this file was causing me. I think this is a really pretty scene (if I’m wrong, let me know). However, the contrast was very low, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t get the image to go in the direction I wanted. I had about 20 adjustment layers going and 3-4 RAW files blended. Still, nothing was working. Then, I read Sean Bagshaw’s itsy bitsy softlight tip. What a huge difference it made. It was exactly what this file needed, and it immediately got the file going in the direction I wanted. I’m not going to tell you about it here. If you want to learn about it, go over to the Gang of 6’s new website (photocascadia.com) and click on the blog; Sean posted it there. I know this saved me hours of aggravation and profanity. Thanks Sean!

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on March 8, 2010 at 10:47 AM

This is very beautiful scene. I love the blue,cold tones and the shimmer of "pink" in the sky. The layers of fog are really nice here and the comp is great. The processing is excellent.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on March 8, 2010 at 11:01 AM

The fog and the cool tones make this quite interesting. I might crop about 1/8th off the bottom and maybe just tone down the purple a tad. This really does have a serene mood to it.

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 8, 2010 at 11:15 AM

Beautiful scene. I love mornings like this - there's nothing more satisfying than being outside to see the sun come up and watch the earth awaken. Thanks for the note about Sean's tip too.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on March 8, 2010 at 11:23 AM

Such a fantastic mood capture Ron!

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Richins on March 8, 2010 at 11:24 AM

Rick, thanks for the comment. I too was wondering about perhaps cropping some of the grasses from the bottom. I'll keep it in mind.

Registered on March 6, 2008, 113 Posts, 1009 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on March 8, 2010 at 11:39 AM

Just gorgeous Ron, I don't think I'd touch the grasses other than a tad as they really help solidify this and create contrast. Love it!

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on March 8, 2010 at 12:15 PM

Beautiful image. Great mood and color. As for the foreground grasses, they anchor the scene and provide interest, but I personally find them a bit much. I'd crop a little.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on March 8, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Lovely image Ron, great soft light and colors, and wonderful atmosphere.
Very enjoyable scene, great work.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on March 8, 2010 at 1:42 PM

Layers, light and mood captured here are beautiful. Your persistence has paid off... good stuff!

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on March 8, 2010 at 2:07 PM

This is a real winner, Ron. I love all the depth provided by those layers.

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on March 8, 2010 at 2:43 PM

I like the amount of grass. It adds a solid anchor and depth to the scene. Very nice capture.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on March 8, 2010 at 3:37 PM

Great mood Ron!. I think its worth the work you have put in.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on March 8, 2010 at 5:49 PM

What a peaceful scene Ron, just lovely! I like it even more with some of the bottom cropped out.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on March 8, 2010 at 6:23 PM

What a lovely and peaceful image, Ron. Great color palette and mood. Nice!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on March 8, 2010 at 7:35 PM

Wow Ron, this is absolutely GORGEOUS. You obviously composed a beautiful image to start with, but if Sean's techniques had something to do with it, you can bet I am going to read about it. Thanks for the tip.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 8, 2010 at 9:31 PM

This looks good, Ron. Soft Light can be so cool.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on March 8, 2010 at 9:37 PM

Beautiful scene.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on March 8, 2010 at 10:49 PM

I'm loving this image. Great job! Looks like it was a beautiful morning.

Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Johnson on March 12, 2010 at 7:34 PM

Ron,
Greta scene love the blue color & the mist. Composition looks great!

Ken Johnson
Rogers, Arkansas

Registered on March 7, 2010, 71 Posts, 272 Comments