Birch Pond + rp

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 6, 2016203 views11 comments

I was rushing down the Dalton Hwy in order to get to in time for dinner when I saw all this in a flash out of the corner of by eye across and through the passenger side window. The birches, their reflections, and the myriad of leaves scattered evenly across the perfectly still water. I kept on driving another 10 miles to Coldfoot where we ate our $10 burger and drove back. Everything looked just as I had imagined it in that brief moment. It was late in the day and there was no direct light so the colors were unimpressive. I sensed this would be a b&w image but came back the next morning to see it in color. The much contrastier morning shot just didn't have the magic.

I'm interested in how you think this could be improved. Please see LARGER version.

Canon 6D, 24-105mm@85mm, F8, ISO 100, 1/10 sec, tripod, timed shutter release

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on November 6, 2016 at 1:15 PM

You were lucky. Everytime I glimpse one of these drivebys, it never pans out. I don't know what I would do to change it. Maybe a little more tonal difference between the leaves and trunks. I don't know. Just throwing it out there.

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on November 6, 2016 at 1:55 PM

Not sure I would change much if anything, Igor. What I like about this is the graininess - it has almost the feel for me of an old time image, and I rather like that. The composition, with the low horizon line of the lake edge, is just fine.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on November 6, 2016 at 2:28 PM

I seem to have sharpening issues on this one. It was originally conceived with greater edge to it. See larger version.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on November 6, 2016 at 2:44 PM

I agree there is some sharpening issue. However image is just fine. Nothing to chage.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on November 6, 2016 at 5:26 PM

I like the sharpness and rigidity to this image. I may lower the shadows for a bit more contrast, just to see how it looks... but really nice as is.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 6, 2016 at 6:26 PM

Igor, I have been looking at this for awhile now. I like it quite a lot and find it to be an interesting image that keeps me looking. It appears to be over sharpened to me but that somehow seems to add some kind of look that works with the b&w processing. Your composition works great by the way. Makes me wonder how this would look in a print. Cool stuff!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 7, 2016 at 5:42 PM

I like this quite a bit. Like Navin, I might darken the darks a bit to boost the contrast a bit and see how it looks. Real sweet image as is. Nice photography.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on November 7, 2016 at 10:05 PM

This is gorgeous, Igor. If I saw this scene before me my $10 burger would have to wait. I really like the mood with the calm water and the fallen leaves spread out across it. My only suggestion would be to lighten the lighter tones just a bit to give the scene a bit more tonal separation. Great work.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 8, 2016 at 2:10 PM

Stunning image, Igor. The luminous quality to the birch leaves, both on the trees and on the water, I feel is simply marvelous, against which the verticals of the tree trunks ties all together in an incredible composition. The line of leaves along the shoreline also really adds to the exquisite graphic nature of your image. The larger image is a joy to view. Fantastic b/w work.

Having had those burgers at Coldfoot many a time, I can attest to how good they are, especially after a week or two of wet and cold. I think they were $7.50 back in my days but worth every penny.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Mark James Ford on November 11, 2016 at 3:08 PM

Hi Igor, a wonder B/W image. The composition is great and to me not obvious that it should have ended in a B/W so very good eyes! i feel B/W conversion is a very personal thing and i would guess that almost everybody here could/would end with a slightly different rendition from each other. i like your 'gentle' (not too contrasty) conversion as is!

Registered on January 16, 2015, 60 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on November 13, 2016 at 9:59 PM

I've been out on a fishing trip and extended time away from computers, so sorry to be so tardy in commenting. There are many times when I see things driving down the road and for what ever reason, pass it by. Only recently, have I started to take the time to at least explore the possibilities of a decent image. I applaud your discipline to return and take the image. A fine image at that. I like your black and white interpretation. We all have different thresholds of contrast and I like that you kept this on the subtle side. I personally would have done a couple of different versions, but who knows which one I would have presented here. I like the repost a bit better, but the original is also very good.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments