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Morning in Leidig
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Morning in Leidig

by Lon Overacker

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 30, 20179,750 views6 comments
Greetings folks and an early Happy New Year's wish!

Still in Yosemite... this is now finally the morning of the second day of our trip back in early November.  Been a bit busy with home remodeling projects, the holidays, family, etc., and have been able to spend as much time here recently.  I've still qot a few more to show from this visit to Yosemite.

And what would a trip to Yosemite be without an image of meadow grasses!  Yeah, bark, trees, reflections... and one of my favorite and most challenging subjects are the meadow grasses.

So I'll be very curious to see if this resonates with anyone.  Not sure if there's a main subject here and honestly not sure how much I like this one.  I've put this one through the processing mill a bit and hope that this still comes across as natural.

Thanks as always for any comments, critiques and suggestions. 

Oh, this is a 5-image focus stack for depth. Nikon 28-300mm at f/11 and 58mm for each.

Lon

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 30, 2017 at 6:18 PM
I like this very much. The curves of the grasses in the foreground, along with the hints of green are very nice. I like how the taller, frosted plants border the lower part of the image. No nits here. Nicely done, Lon.
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 31, 2017 at 6:34 AM
I am liking this one, Lon. Nice layering of textures, shapes and tones giving it a coherent flow and good detail. No suggestions here. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on December 31, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Lon, this image is all about delicate textures and a certain kind of flow that I really appreciate. Compositions like this do not need something like a main subject to come to life in my opinion.

Usually I do not pay much attention to technical notes. But reading about the five image stack I asked myself whether a single shot might not have worked as well. A very slight blurredness in the depth would actually fit in with the character of the image I think. Sometimes a certain degree of imperfection can add to the story a picture is telling me, as we know from times of analog photography.

Thanks for sharing this subtle intimate scene.

A Happy New Year!

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on December 31, 2017 at 5:29 PM
We have tidal salt flats our way that look much like this - flowing women's hair is what comes to mind.  These remind me of rolling waves of surf.  Like the subtle cyans int he frost separated by the warm greens.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on December 31, 2017 at 7:27 PM
This has a natural flow from right to left with repetitive forms. I think it's that pattern that gives this structure which keeps it from being busy looking. There is an airiness about this image. You could drop the contrast still further and add brightness for a different look?
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 1, 2018 at 1:11 PM
Thanks for the comments folks!

Peter - thanks for your comment and observation about the focus stack.  You raise an interesting and valid point.  You are right, there is nothing that says an image has to be sharp front to back. And the use of DOF and selective focus give us that creative choice.  I can say for me, at least with many images and the reason for focus stacking comes from my years of using the large format camera that allowed for the tilt, shift, swing of the lens and film planes to increase the depth of field and detail front to back, side to side etc.  I guess I'm programed that way.  But I do agree and think your point is a valid one.  And that's one of the beauties of photography - we have these creative choices.

Igor - thanks for your comments as well and processing suggestions.  Actually, your suggestion is much like the unprocessed file! (except for the regular adjustments I make in RAW.)  I toiled over the processing here and at some point I just cut my losses and needed to step away. Lots of directions to take this. Thanks for the feedback.

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