FRESH TRACKS+RP

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 5, 2013487 views16 comments

I have only shot into the sun twice! Strange considering the public seems to like sunstars

There is no extreme drama here in this scene, but it appeals to me. The simple details, calm atmosphere, and the nice light below in the valley illuminating those snow covered trees. I realize that there is a large empty space in the right bottom corner, but the sunlight fills this space.

This was taken on the same trip that I mentioned in my last post. On this occasion, I was on my own, and left my truck on the side of the road between Japser and Banff. I had to use snowshoes to trek down to this location. I could have driven into this lake/park, but I wanted to scout on the way down this small valley towards the mountain and lake below. I finally settled on this spot. I had to be carefull not to ruin the scene with my snowshoes. I fell 6 times in snow up to my chest, it was a bit grueling, but in the end it was worth it

Being that I live in Whistler, BC, I think this image would appeal to the public here.

I would really like your thoughts on the processing here. I have not processed many sunstars, and wonder if it the light is controlled well.

Thank you in advance for you comments

PLEASE VIEW THE LARGER ATTACHMENT !!

Nikon D800E
Nikkor 14-24mm

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on August 5, 2013 at 4:06 PM

I just noticed that when I saved the image at 8bits, vs 16bits, and being a jpeg, the image is a bit darker, and more saturated, plus the blues shifted a bit. Still looks ok, but not quite right

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on August 5, 2013 at 4:45 PM

Beautiful scene you've captured James. Beautiful light through the image and very nice composition and colors. The sunstar seems a bit hot to me but I struggle trying to get and process them too. Others with more knowledge will have better ideas. Beautiful image though. Well done.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Zhoen on August 5, 2013 at 4:57 PM

I like the comp, with trees framing and lines leading to the sun. I am also enjoying the cool blue/purple tone and the sense of quietness from the scene.

Registered on May 16, 2013, 25 Posts, 188 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on August 5, 2013 at 6:47 PM

A very peaceful winter scene - maybe a crowd pleaser in you neck of the woods but I find my winter images just don't sell nearly as well here in the states as prints compare to other seasons

I'm not a big sun star guy myself, and I think yours gets a little lost in the image. I might suggest working on the contrast or the rays a bit to make them stand out better, but others I am sure will have better suggestions. The purple color cast needs to be corrected IMO, just too strong and unnatural. If it were pre-dawn, maybe. But with the sun already up I'd say blues would be better. Looks like a fine location

Just saw your comment about color shift, I've never experienced that when converting to 8 bit or resizing

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on August 5, 2013 at 7:24 PM

Interesting. That's both of the last two shots you've posted from our trip now that I thought you'd go sunset or sunrise with. With the processing on either it would be very easy to bring out that 'magic hour' light (double-processing the RAW, blending as needed, etc), but you've chosen to go with frigid color temps on both counts. I'm not critiquing this decision though, as it does bring the winter to life and is very different from the norm, two things I appreciate. Certainly the tonal range and exposures are well handled and the compositions really shine.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on August 5, 2013 at 7:52 PM

I'm not quite sure I would have gone this purple, but it is not really objectionable. I would open up the overall lighting. Its just a little too dark IMO.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on August 5, 2013 at 9:09 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I was in a hurry this morning, when I posted this. The switch from RAW to jpg, etc seemed to throw this image a bit darker, and go further from the blue tone in Photoshop. My monitors are calibrated to my printer, and with the way browsers sort out color are all different. I do not see much purple, but I will play with the image again and repost it. As for the sunstar, I thought I would keep it under control, if I allow more light, it looks blown out!

Marc, I will play with your idea as well. Interesting to see how they can be blended and change the lighting a bit. Thanks.

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 5, 2013 at 9:30 PM

I think the feeling of this image is what attracts me to this image. It has that very peaceful feeling of a cool wilderness morning with fresh snow and no wind. Very nice.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 6, 2013 at 5:44 AM

I think you've handled the light brilliantly here James. I like your comp a lot, but feel the sunstar should be slightly more prominent to balance the weight on the left. I'm also not sure about the heaviness of the purple tones, and agree a little move back towards blue would be nice, but each to there own! I'm not sure what it is, but there is a strange bright angled object on the far left of the image just below mid way up that I would consider cloning out unless it holds some significance?

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 6, 2013 at 11:28 AM

Gorgeous - the one word that immediately pops into my head is "pristine". You were so fortunate to be able to witness this. Very nice composition and beautiful texture. I'm on an uncalibrated work monitor so i can't comment on the color since everything looks more blue on this thing.

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

Comment posted by Steve Zimic on August 6, 2013 at 11:33 AM

Exquisite image. I've read all the comments about the purple but for me it works perfectly.

Registered on November 23, 2003, 176 Posts, 727 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 6, 2013 at 4:55 PM

It's a lovely winter scene. I would love to be there on snow shoes to make the first tracks. I agree with what others have said about too much purple cast and adding some intensity to the rays of the sunburst.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on August 6, 2013 at 11:57 PM

Thanks for all the comments

I have made some more adjustments with all your suggestions:
Color adjustment balance
Enhancements to the sun star
Exposure adjustment +

Please feel free to comment further

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on August 8, 2013 at 10:10 AM

Repost looks great James and the sunstar looks much better.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 9, 2013 at 2:30 PM

The repost is MUCH better--although personally i still find it a bit too purple (not too saturated, i just would have gone more blue--personal taste...) Goregeous winter scene, really like it! I didnt know you lived in Whistler, you luck dog--i really have to get my dang passport renewed i miss the Canadian coastals...

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

Comment posted by James Fougère on August 9, 2013 at 2:57 PM

Thanks Stan,
it is tough to show everyone the same image. In my version calibrated to my printer, there is no purple. I may reprocesses this image as Marc mentioned where I warm up the raw's to bring out a combination of blues and yellows. In this version, I kept the wintery scene cold

As for Whistler, we do not get great sunsets for the most part like the Canadian Rockies!! There are some great alpine landscapes in the coast range, if you have a helicopter or float plane

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments