Big Leaf over the Merced

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 30, 2016271 views14 comments

Thanks again for the comments on previous posts. This is another version of the big leaf maple over the Merced river that I posted previously. I must not have saved in my gallery cause I can't find it. Anyway, this has the reflection positioned a little different, a different crop (actually an entirely different image.) You won't remember, but the first version of this I actually had flipped horizontally. I prefer the left-right flow and liked it that way. However, this one is orientated as originally captured.

Hard to tell at these small versions, but I was lucky and impressed how sharp the leaves are. apparently I captured at the right moment with zero movement - which is a trick over moving water....

Getting low on post-worthy images so I wanted to post this version. Your comments, critiques and suggestions welcome.

thanks!

Lon

Nikon D800E
Nikon 28-300mm @230mm
f/25 1s cropped from original vertical

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on December 30, 2016 at 5:06 PM

This is superb, Lon. The complementary cool/warm color mix is beautiful and really sets-off the leaves. This image is also successful as the blurred water provides great separation from the sharp leaves. I love the subtle processing as well. As far as suggestions... I see a bit of greenish hue in the leaves and could see tweaking the hue a bit to more yellow to further accentuate on the cool/warm mix. Perfectly fine as framed but I can see a multitude of crops you could play around with.

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on December 30, 2016 at 5:25 PM

Lovely autumnal leaves juxtaposed against the flow of the river.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 30, 2016 at 5:49 PM

Lon, This is so nice! Nice work with this composition and I love how the soft streaking water sets off the sharpness of the maple leaves. Really nice contrast and color. The leaves look very natural but trying Dave's suggestion could work quite nice as well. You are so good at making these images! Happy New year!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on December 30, 2016 at 8:11 PM

Marvelous. I initially thought it was film. Gorgeous processing for a beautiful composition. Color, exposure, contrast, sharpness, it all works perfectly.

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Genny K. on December 30, 2016 at 10:10 PM

You're right Lon, the sharpness is impressive, and for a 1 sec exposure. Wow. Not sure how you accomplished that, there's always air movement near running water. The flow of the water really, really adds to this. There is an overall calming effect here. Nicely done.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 30, 2016 at 11:20 PM

Really well executed, Lon. The implied motion with the streaks in the water works beautifully as does the subdued lighting along with the color combination of blue and yellow. My only suggestion would be a slight crop from the top of the light blue streak in the ULC as it draws my eye a bit. Just my opinion of course.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Jake Alletson on December 31, 2016 at 1:32 AM

Lon, This series just keeps getting better. .

Registered on May 3, 2016, 12 Posts, 163 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on December 31, 2016 at 8:14 AM

Hi Lon,

The lighting is very nice and the motion blurred water in the BG makes this post-worthy. Square crop and placement of the long branch slightly off-center makes an ideal and very pleasing composition. Well done.............................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on December 31, 2016 at 10:36 AM

The first thing that struck me about this image, Lon, was the sharp detail in the leaves juxtaposed against the motion blur in the water. A very nice combination that is usually difficult to get. The light and color are really nice as well. No nits or suggestions from me; looks great as is.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on December 31, 2016 at 12:46 PM

There is a lot to enjoy here. I like all of the different contrasts in the scene: warm / cool contrast, the sharp leaves contrasted with the blurry water, and the repeating horizontal lines in the water contrasted with the random arrangement of the leaves. On the surface this is a fairly simple image, but it packs a lot of compositional punch!

I also just want to say thank you for all of your thoughtfull comments, not only on my images but also on others as well.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Basil Greber on December 31, 2016 at 1:42 PM

Really nice, Lon! Love the contrasts in motion (much vs. none) and color (blue vs. yellow/green). Well seen and captured. :)

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 31, 2016 at 3:13 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.

Good call on the slight greenness Dave. I can see what you're saying. I'll have a look at that.

And Ed, also a good call on the blue streak on the top edge. I'll play with either a crop, or perhaps some careful work on that little area.

And Brian, you're welcome. I'm an on or off participator. If I'm posting, I'm commenting. and vice versa. We're all here to not only enjoy great photography, but also help and critique.

Happy New Year everyone!

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on December 31, 2016 at 5:45 PM

Beautiful image, Lon. I have been hit and miss lately, travel, life, etc. so not as active as I'd like. Loved the other post of yours with the same leaf set, and given the previous comments, no other suggestions from me. Hope you have a Happy New Year.

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

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 31, 2016 at 9:14 PM

Lon: very well seen and executed. The cool/warm contrast of the yellows and blues definitely hold the eye. The leaves are sharp (even at f/25) and provide a fine counterpoint against the smooth blues of the water. Congrats. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments