Five Alarm

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 18, 20173,038 views13 comments

Please View Large for shadow detail. Also see alternate Comp below.

Moving to the opposite extreme from my last post this is anything but subtle. This was a fiery sunset from the Morton Overlook in the Smokies.

Despite the bold sunset sky, I'm not sure about this one. I like the fog in the foreground, but I'm not so sure that it is enough to hold my interest. I opted to let the mountains go to basically a silhouette to emphasize the layered ridgelines. I did notice that on the compressed file some of the brightest highlights in the red channel look burned out. In the master file they are not burned out so I think it's just a result of compression. I opted to let the mountains go to basically a silhouette to emphasize the layered ridgelines.

I would appreciate all comments and critiques on this. Feel free to be honest if it is not working for you because honestly I'm on the fence about it myself. Also, I would like to hear your thoughts on which of the two versions you like the most (See alternate Comp below).

Capture Info:
155 mm
f/8, 1/8 sec ISO 100

Processing Info:
Luminosity masks to target midtones, shadows and highlights.
Cropped to 4 X 5 Aspect Ratio

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on July 19, 2017 at 12:03 AM

Here is another comp from a little later. It doesn't have the fog, but the layered ridges seems to come across a little better. I'm curious if you have a preference between the two.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on July 19, 2017 at 1:20 AM

Hey, if your'e not sure about it, you can give it to me. I probably prefer the original. The layering ridges are beautiful. I like the FG heavy crop and the fog adds some nice atmosphere.

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

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on July 19, 2017 at 8:59 AM

The fog is, of course, quite nice, but I prefer the simplicity of the second photo.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 19, 2017 at 10:44 AM

Brian, Both of these are very, very nice in imo. The simpler comp of the second works great and I really like the clouds in that one, but overall I think I like the first one a bit better with the fog and detail of the very foreground trees in the fog. Nice work on this!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Bartz on July 19, 2017 at 10:46 AM

I like the fog, it adds to thr photo for me, it makes it look different from the normal shots of a scene like that. An old, now gone photographer told me once that "fog is your friend".

Registered on May 12, 2007, 56 Posts, 92 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 19, 2017 at 12:42 PM

The original is outstanding, Brian. I always enjoy a "layered look" in mountain ridges and you've got that here in spades. The bits of cloud picking up hints of color are a great addition. Of course, the sky is amazing. I don't see anything that clearly looks like a blown red channel in the sky. I find the hard dark in the foreground of the 2nd view not as interesting, although that's also a good looking view.

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

Comment posted by Andrew Sentipal on July 19, 2017 at 7:40 PM

Brian,

Well done. Great spot but I never saw anything as nice as what you presented. The fog in the first image is really nice.

Thanks for posting.

Andrew

Registered on February 16, 2008, 200 Posts, 317 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 20, 2017 at 1:02 PM

Hi Brian - I prefer you initial version because of the wonderful layers in the landscape and the low lying clouds.

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

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on July 20, 2017 at 10:39 PM

Brian, I like the layers and red sea of clouds. I could see brightening the mountains some and seeing if you like that. My preference is the second version without the clouds, but the crop of the sky in the first.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on July 20, 2017 at 11:40 PM

The second one for me.
Lovely, I might lighten the far range and sky to match the first one...

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on July 21, 2017 at 8:02 PM

Sweet! Awesome work, Brian. You can not go wrong with either version IMO although I slightly prefer the original as the cloud adds a wonderful additional element to this gorgeous image. The red sky is also lovely as is the layering of the mountains.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Anil Rao on July 24, 2017 at 11:16 AM

I like both versions, although if I were to pick one it would be first version. The low clouds/fog provides that extra dimension, which lifts the photo to a new level.

Wonderful photography!

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on August 4, 2017 at 12:05 AM

I'd pick the first too Brian. I like the cloud, and the hills still layer out nicely to lead to the color.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments