Autumn Vista

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 15, 2010253 views11 comments

After climbing a modest hill in the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish highlands (which is not so modest for a city guy from a very flat country

) a great scene enfolded before our eyes. On the climb up it was grey and gloomy, but once atop the hill the sky broke and we had some great light over the autumn landscape. Soon after the sky closed back in and the wind was trying to blow us off the bloody thing again but it was well worth it.

This was my first try at handblending exposures (3) and while I'm quite satisfied any pointers here are welcome. I'm not 100% sold on the sky personally, should I crop it or leae as is?

C&C welcome, thanks for looking!

Please view large!

Canon 7d, 40mm. PP with ps and TK's actions

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on December 15, 2010 at 10:09 AM

I found the Cairngorms to be one of the more difficult locations in autumn. This is a very nice view. I like the dappled light and wouldn't crop.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Jake Case on December 15, 2010 at 10:13 AM

This is a really nice, well put together image. I think the composition is really strong. The sky looks really dramatic especially with the light rays, the mist in the hills makes an excellent middle ground, and the trees in the foreground are gorgeous. Personally, I love the sky! Looks like the highlights in the clouds might still be clipped, which may bother others, but does not both me. I would not crop this a bit. The one nit I have is the dark haloing on the hills, I assume that resulted from the hand blend. I would go in and dodge those out. Otherwise I think this is an excellent image!

Registered on December 13, 2010, 38 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 15, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Real pretty scene, Jorne! The comp looks good to me, i wouldnt change it. Maybe just a bit more contrast--richer darks to be exact--so that the glowing trees stand out more. Otherwise, looks great!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on December 15, 2010 at 10:41 AM

Thanks guys!

Kah: yes, the cairngorms are quite difficult, but very beautiful. I ahd the help of 2 pro-photographers (Peter Cairns & Mark Hamblin) who both live there so they knew the right spots. Also went to Skye and I admit that it was way easier there.

Jake: Thanks for the suggestion, those areas need to be cleared up indeed!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Lori Kincaid on December 15, 2010 at 10:57 AM

Very beautiful and atmospheric--the light on the line of trees is fantastic. I like this as is, but also like a panaroma crop without the sky and a little less foreground.

Lori

Registered on November 15, 2003, 90 Posts, 2033 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 15, 2010 at 11:30 AM

A very pretty view. The light on the trees is really nice, along with the layers going back in to the scene. This is very nice.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on December 15, 2010 at 12:42 PM

Gorgeous shot- great job on exposure and composition- also beautiful sky (I wouldn't crop it and I 'd leave the contrast of the image as is)- well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Rui Vieira on December 15, 2010 at 3:45 PM

A very pretty view with great light and colors.

Registered on September 11, 2008, 39 Posts, 246 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on December 15, 2010 at 8:13 PM

The sky is fantastic! I particularly enjoy the light rays in the URHC.
Wonderful backlighting on the trees
The dark hills and clouds are perfect for the mood
No crop required.
A+

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on December 15, 2010 at 8:41 PM

I love those glowing trees. Nice image.

- Dan.

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

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on December 16, 2010 at 8:23 AM

Nicely seen and executed - like the layering and the colors in the FG trees. I'd agree with the cleanup from the blending...then it would sing.

Registered on October 19, 2010, 95 Posts, 470 Comments