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Fishermen's Paradise
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Fishermen's Paradise

by Dean Sauskojus

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 23, 2010608 views36 comments
I posted an image similar to this some time ago. Some of you may remember. This image has a totally different sky but taken in the same area. A couple of things I would like an opinion on is whether you think the sky is a distraction in the ULC. I thinks its somewhat bright but I don't have the skills to correct it. The other thing I don't like is the bare ground in the LRC. Am I being to critical? What do you think?

Thanks

Repost below.

Comments

36 comments
Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on August 23, 2010 at 2:42 AM
Your critiques don't bother me. The sky and spot on the right look fine to me. What I notice is the brightened distant hills, perhaps evidence of a grad?
Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 23, 2010 at 2:52 AM
Yes, this is a one shot image and I did use a 2 stop gnd over the sky. Unfortunately its hard to hide that line. I'm hoping to get better at blending. Right now my heads about ready to blow up with so much learning to do on the computer.

Thanks for the comment Ben.
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Andrew Finlayson on August 23, 2010 at 4:40 AM
I like this shot. It seems balanced and the sky is great. Nice work.
Registered on July 29, 2010, 26 Posts, 404 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Gin on August 23, 2010 at 5:16 AM
Very nice shot, love the colours and reflections. The only thing is I feel it's too tight at the bottom - would like to see more of the river and reflections.A vertical stitch might work well here.
Registered on October 13, 2008, 6 Posts, 43 Comments
Comment posted by Greg Maklae on August 23, 2010 at 5:53 AM
I think you are being over critical. I really like this image, the flow of the water, the colors of the sky, the reflections. It has it all. If I had one minor thought, it would be the bright spot in the sky, just above the peak, near the left edge.
Registered on November 18, 2008, 170 Posts, 759 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Pelton on August 23, 2010 at 6:54 AM
I think its a beauty, Dean. You could tone down the bright spot a little, but its pretty minor. Bare spot is hardly noticeable and not objectional.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Pancier on August 23, 2010 at 7:07 AM
beautifully composed. If you pick up Nik Viveza II, you can make those minor adjustments in a heartbeat. To me the left corner could go a tad darker. Beautiful scene.
Registered on October 19, 2007, 36 Posts, 56 Comments
Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on August 23, 2010 at 7:52 AM
every thing is fine with me
you are right about the bare ground. However, it still beautiful

All the best :wavey:
Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 23, 2010 at 8:01 AM
Very pretty scene, Dean. I like this! Nice color and I like the comp just fine. I could see the upper L side a little darker, but the sun is the reason and it is probably pretty natural looking. I don't have the skills to fix it either, so know your feelings. Looks like a wonderful place to spend some time.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Maile on August 23, 2010 at 8:07 AM
Just a beautiful scenic Dean, wish I could sit there right now. I agree w/ you on the bright sky, perhaps a pano-ish comp for comparison?? I too know the feeling of being unable to spot-fix elements I'd like to.
Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 23, 2010 at 8:17 AM
This looks just fine to me. You can nit pick any image to death for nature is seldom perfect. IMO you are being a little over critical. This is a lovely image, and a pleasure to view.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on August 23, 2010 at 8:42 AM
Beautiful light Dean, comp is very clean too. Great work.
Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments
Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on August 23, 2010 at 9:39 AM
I think this is fantastic Dean. I personally don't mind the bare spot at all, it looks like a fantastic place to sit down relax and enjoy the show. :toast:
Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments
Comment posted by Michael R Reynolds on August 23, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Dean, this is a beautiful image. Great sky and clouds. Wonderful reflection. For the brightness in the sky on the upper left, I would try using the gradiant tool in photoshop, with a curves layer. I didn't find the small ground area in the lower right corner particularly distracting, but if you think it is, I would just create a small curves section and darken it just a touch. I think this is a very pleasing image as is. Best Regards.
Registered on February 26, 2008, 54 Posts, 812 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Richins on August 23, 2010 at 10:48 AM
This is very nice. You've captured some beautiful shots of Yellowstone (I'm assuming this is Yellowstone). The ULC doesn't bother me at all; I like it a lot. However, I did notice the bare patch of ground. That's only because I usually find comps with bare ground as well, and it always bugs me too. But, it's only a minor portion.
Registered on March 6, 2008, 113 Posts, 1009 Comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on August 23, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Hi Dean,

I knew this was yours as soon as I saw the thumbnail. Lovely composition and wonderful conditions. I have no issues with either of the aforementioned "issues"...I do think a slight crop down on the sky, maybe 1/16 of inch, would do the trick there and focus the attention a little better. Also IMO, I think I would prefer about a 3 - 5% reduction in saturation of the image. (Greens in grassy bank on left and blues in sky) Overall, I love all your captures of Yellowstone. It is such a fascnating place and this a well seen representation of the world's first national park.

Michael :wavey:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by David W. Kelly on August 23, 2010 at 12:30 PM
I think the image is beautiful as is and a few tweaks will put it over the top.
Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 23, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Its hard to tell unless these are side by side, but I darkened both the ULC and the LRC. And took 10 points of saturation out of the overall image. If I darken the ULC anymore the clouds start to look funky. It would have been nice to include more of the river but then I would have included more of the bank without vegetation. I also cropped the sky and the left side just slightly.

Thanks for all your comments. Thanks for taking the time.
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Martin Bartsch on August 23, 2010 at 1:44 PM
OMG paradise indeed. Those colors are amazing!! The composition is superb! Killer shot Dean!! Thanks for sharing this one. :eek:
Registered on December 1, 2003, 80 Posts, 354 Comments
Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on August 23, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Amazing scene Dean. I think it is good that you stay so critcial with your own work, but none of the issues you mentioned are a problem for me. Actually, I find the upper right corner a tad too dark - I think it makes the composition a bit heavy on that side - but that's a nit.
Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments
Comment posted by Jeremy Cram on August 23, 2010 at 2:15 PM
It feel real natural to me. Great color and lines. Seems like a peaceful place. Well done.
Registered on June 4, 2006, 204 Posts, 818 Comments
Comment posted by István Molnár on August 23, 2010 at 2:24 PM
Wonderfull composition,nice work!
Congrats:István :toast:
Registered on January 7, 2010, 114 Posts, 704 Comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on August 23, 2010 at 2:37 PM
Your repost is much better IMO Dean. Awesome work!

Michael
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by Karsten Wrobel on August 23, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Beautiful colours and comp, Dean. the repost looks even better to me... more natural and balanced
Registered on November 1, 2008, 117 Posts, 851 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on August 23, 2010 at 3:50 PM
Colors and comp are both excellent, no issues at all with ulc or lrc. Very slight issue with the grad on the hills but this is a really soothing and beautiful image!
Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on August 23, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Except for the blue in the sky, I liked the original saturation. I do prefer the darkened corners though; that takes care of the bare area handily. Great shot Dean!
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments
Comment posted by Patrick Nixon on August 23, 2010 at 5:28 PM
There must be a BIG trout concealed in there somewhere.
Registered on June 26, 2006, 68 Posts, 154 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on August 23, 2010 at 8:26 PM
This looks like a painting. The color and composition work beautifully.

- Dan.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 23, 2010 at 9:53 PM
Yes, you are too critical!!!!! It's a beautiful image, and I would not have thought of either one of your own critiques about the processing. I do agree with Ben's comments about the distant hills. I like the light balance in the sky just fine in the original, but think the adjustment is good. I would keep the brightness adjustments you made and add back at least some of the saturation.

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Dayton on August 23, 2010 at 10:46 PM
The lighting is spectacular here, Dean! In my opinion, Bbth of your concerns
are minor.
Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on August 23, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Dean, I like the desaturation in the repost as the green was originally too bright, imo. Nice composition and wish I was there with a 3 weight on the meandering creek to experince this fine image in person.
Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments
Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on August 24, 2010 at 12:14 AM
I think you're being hard on yourself Dean, but if you want to lighten that section of sky, try a dodge and burn layer. Photoshop's dodge and burn is useless but Tony Kuyper's action for that is a ripper. Start with a large, soft brush, a low opacity, like maybe 5 or 10, and finetune it with the opacity slider in the Layers panel. Good luck.
Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments
Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on August 24, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Wow, gorgeous shot Dean. Looks good to me as is. That's an awesome s curve you have going on.
Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 24, 2010 at 3:02 AM
Thanks for the tip Barry, I'll give it a try.

Thanks all for your comments. Very helpful. :smile:
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Adamus on August 25, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Awesome Dean. What a beautifully composed, captured and processed scene. Simply great work here.
Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments
Comment posted by Shaun Mazurek on September 4, 2010 at 12:36 AM
I think you are being too critical. The image is amazing. The sky is very interesting. If you clipped detail in the upper left hand corner it is not noticable. I would not have thought twice about the lower right hand corner as my eyes cant stay away from your excellent Scurve leading me in the sky drama.
Registered on June 12, 2010, 21 Posts, 162 Comments