I AM

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted October 4, 2012184 views7 comments

This is my first forum post since joining. This was taken on The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. We were driving the opposite direction while this developed behind us. I saw it in the rear view mirror, and immediately pulled over and started shooting.

Taken with a Canon 5D, Canon 17-40L, I think I used my B&W circular polarizer, but no other filters were used. It is a single image processed in LR4.1. I bracketed at +-2 stops in case I wanted to try HDR or exposure blending, but the extra exposures were not needed.

17mm, 1/60 sec, f8.0, iso 100, tripod

I'm interested in some good feedback. I've tried participating on Flickr, but that has proven pointless. I'm interested in marketing my work at some point in some way.

I'm really hoping for a better community experience here.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on October 4, 2012 at 6:05 PM

Welcome to NPN! A solid first post. The colors look a bit cool. There is a halo at the tree line and the far line of mountains, probably attributable to sharpening. The composition is classic 1:3 land and sky, appropriate, considering the sky drama. The clouds are the strong point of the image and well shown. The option to post a larger image is worth considering, as it allows for a better critique.

This probably belongs in the man and nature gallery, due to the fence. I'm sure the Moderator will move it if so they decide.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 4, 2012 at 6:36 PM

Hi Brad - Welcome to NPN. As Phil mentioned the drama in the sky is the strong point and I might be tempted to place more emphasis on it.

That said, I am going to move this over to the M&N gallery due to the presence of the fence. If you have any questions about the move pleas contact me or any of the other Landscape / M&N moderators.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 4, 2012 at 8:57 PM

Welcome to NPN - a wonderful first entry.

You captured the dynamic range well and there is a lot going on in this scene with a good use of the rule of thirds.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Strong on October 4, 2012 at 9:42 PM

Phil, Thanks for pointing out the halos. They were due to too much clarity applied from a couple of different brushes that overlapped along the tree line. I completely reprocessed it, and I like it better.

Eva, I think I understand the "hand of man" now.

I attached the revised edit here. NPN has already had major benefit on my first post.

Registered on October 1, 2012, 43 Posts, 302 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 5, 2012 at 5:59 AM

Nice drama and composition here. I notice the second version is warmer and miss the blueness in the top 1/3 of the first which would make a good contrast with the yellowish clouds.

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

Comment posted by Brad Strong on October 5, 2012 at 9:45 AM

Revision 3 based on Kah Kit Yoong's comments which were dead on. What a difference just a couple of observations from keen eyes can make. Thanks. This is the feedback I was hoping for.

Registered on October 1, 2012, 43 Posts, 302 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 5, 2012 at 4:58 PM

Brad, Welcome to NPN! This is a really nice scene. I think your 3rd version with all the suggestions done looks Great! I love the blue back in the sky. Very nice first post too!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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