Morning Light & Leaves 2

This illustrates the difference between the original photo and my latest color adjustment to address the "electric magenta" comments about the colors in the square version that I posted earlier.  The color of the foreground leaves in the square version were between the two version shown here.

*FOREGROUND COLORS WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING REFLECTIONS FROM THE SHADE.  When you photograph the reflection of a sunny scene, shooting from a shady position, any foreground objects in the shade will have a significantly cooler color than the sunny objects or their reflections.  In some cases, the deep blue hue of foreground objects compared to the sunlilt scene can appear bizarre.  Some people like it, and some people don't.  I often accept this effect, as it illustrates the real difference between foreground and background colors.  However, our brains do some "automatic color correction" when we see everything, especially when we know what color things are "supposed" to be.  For this reason, I warmed up the color of the foreground leaves in the original (square) post of this image.  Even with some color adjustment, that still looked strange to many viewers. 

ANOTHER issue is that the leaves red maple (Acer rubrum) in autumn are much more on the magenta side than other leaves in sunny side of this photo, including sugar maple (Acer saccharum) which turns yellow-orange in the fall.  My intention was to keep that difference in the photograph, but it's all a matter of perception.  If the viewer thinks magenta leaves look unnatural -- in the shade or not -- it defeats my purpose of accurately presenting a natural scene.  

 

Hi Wayne,

I like the vericle 4X5 crop.  With regards to the more intimate leaf scenes.....  I like the color adjusted version.  Glorious autumn color in both cases Wayne.

 

Looks good to me.  The leaves in the fg would be very blue considering the warm tones up top.  Nice work.

aF

I like both formats, but tend to the vertical one.  As far as the foreground leaves go,  The closest one I find distracting, but like the other.  A great scene well captured.  Certainly would be difficult to drive by without stopping.  Thank you for sharing both versions and background info.

Both the crop and the adjustment on the leaves are improvements as far as I'm concerned. I liked the previous version, but I like this one even more.

Put me down for the vertical crop. The foreground leaves look better, especially on the zoomed version. Much more realistic to my eye. Real nice image.

 I like the vertical crop better - glorious fall scene, but I'd give up and desaturate the heck out of those foreground leaves.

Yep, those two leaves fit in much better here, Wayne.  Comparing the two crops, I prefer the square crop because it feels better balanced to me with those two leaves closer to the bottom, plus it puts more emphasis on those two leaves not having the extra reflections below them.

Wayne, I like this version alot. The adjustments you made worked out great for my taste. 

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I think I prefer this version over the square, but both are a treat,  Wayne.  To be honest, I think either image works with or without the foreground leaves.  They add a unique element but the real stars are the reflection and kaleidoscope of fall colors.

A beautiful scene, Wayne!  I personally prefer the more square version, especially when viewed large as it has a lot more information and thus a lot more presence.  Both of the compositions are well balanced and the color of the floating leaves is quite striking.  I appreciate the samples and description of your adjustments and I think you made a good choice on warming the colors a bit.  

Hi Wayne,

After looking at both of you images, I am all aboard on the vertical format. The leaves look good to me with their color profile, and this image is so sweet with all of the glorious colors. The interplay of light and shadow is so wonderfully captured in this image, and sweet work Wayne.
 

Hi  Wayne   I  liked  the first version.   but  i think  you improved  it  a  bit with  this version..   a stunning scene

Albert Darmo
Canada