Coming Home

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted January 15, 20181,968 views11 comments

<div>Please click on the image above or the expansion symbol under it to see a larger view.
</div> <div>After being stuck inside for over a month with a stubborn case of pneumonia, I finally got out for a little while. I could not resist putting on my snowshoes when warm temperatures combined with the snow cover to create some dense fog. I didn't find the foggy forest composition I was looking for, but on the way home after sunset, I liked the welcoming beacon of the light shining through the fog and reflecting off the leaves that cling to beech trees in the winter.

Blend of two exposures: 6 seconds and 30 seconds at f/11; ISO 640.

I sometimes wonder how to treat shots of shining lights, which are by nature "blown out." I think they must appear that way when compared to to the darkness of the shadows of the forest. And a forest at night is essentially black so I exposed it that way, however, I ended up bringing up some of the shadows in post to show just a hint of detail in the shadows. What do you think of the exposure here?</div>

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on January 16, 2018 at 1:05 AM

This reminds me so much of the Christmas season I spent in New Hampshire many years ago. At night the lights threw lights and shadows on the snow. In my opinion you did an excellent job conveying that light at night and how it illuminates the foliage from beneath. There are a few trees near the source of light whose base I would darken to be consistent with up higher. Some have tonal vertical stripes which may be smaller trees in front. To me they look strange and I would just darken them to a single tone. Shadows are a bit inconsistent in that area. The image is so good that it's worth putting a bit more time in that area.

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

Comment posted by Silvia Richter on January 16, 2018 at 10:24 AM

Wayne, your image conveys the specific atmosphere of this scene wonderfully to me. Exposure and processing are spot on to my eye to show enough details in the shadows and keep the sense of "blue hour" at the same time.

Thanks for sharing!

Silvia

Registered on February 27, 2011, 18 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on January 16, 2018 at 10:55 AM

I love this, Wayne. It has a fairytale feel to it. Is it grandma's house? Hansel and Gretel's? Icabod Cranes? For me, the exposure is spot on: just enough detail in the forest, but still dark enough to give us the sense of an inviting cabin just head on a cold, dark night.
ML

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 16, 2018 at 1:03 PM

Wayne: Just a superbly crafted image IMO. Also like the narrative and hope you're doing better. 2 thumbs up.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 17, 2018 at 10:14 PM

Thanks for your comments, everyone.
IGOR: I believe I see what you are talking about -- the effect of the light and low fog illuminates the layers of tree trunks, creating more obvious layers near the ground. Since that is kind of what I wanted to illustrate in this shot, I am reluctant to hide it. I wonder if part of the problem is the scale of the presentation on a computer screen. Can you please look at this enlarge section of the image and tell me if you still think it's a problem? THANKS.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 18, 2018 at 8:10 AM

Great stuff, Wayne! Love the mood, the scene and the lighting. Excellent image.

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

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on January 18, 2018 at 9:04 PM

Love this one Wayne! Makes me want to be there!
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Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Snead on January 21, 2018 at 4:10 PM

Wayne

This is just awesome. I love the way the tree trunks have just a bit of detail with the light beckoning in the distance. Very fine photo.

Registered on April 6, 2017, 104 Posts, 397 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 28, 2018 at 7:16 PM

Just saw the weekly picks, Wayne. This is just gorgeous. Well done.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 28, 2018 at 9:06 PM

Just beautiful - your exposure and processing is perfect.
Glad you're well again.
Congrats on the fine WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on January 29, 2018 at 2:45 PM

Wayne, the enlarged version shows that there are thin trees in front of the thicker trees and these give the abrupt edge to the light. Since they're closer to us but further from the light they have a deeper shadow and since they 'overlap' the tree I thought it was a processing issue.

Congrats on the Weekly Pick. I thought it was the best of the week also.

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