Snow on Snow
Uploaded: February 09, 2012
this is one I captured during the recent snow storm we had. I am thinking of entering this in a jouried art show so any suggestions to improve it would be helpful.
Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/160 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 125, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 85.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D
Dale Hardin February 09, 2012
Sue, this is really a well composted shot and a classic scene. I like it a lot.Since you asked, there are improvments that could be done,in a number of ways depending on your desires for this image. I'll give you three samples.
One, duplicate image and drop the highlights by 25% using the shadows/highlights tool. Then remove the color cast by sampling the foreground snow.
Second variation. Duplicate, reduce highlights 25%, and change to black and white. You'll find that the fenced area will look dark and shaded (as it does now) so would suggest duplicating, apply screen blend and mask to balance that area.
third variation. Same as first, except apply falling snow to the image for more drama. #1442358
Sue C. Cole February 09, 2012
Thanks Dale, I will be working on the in the morning:)Carla Capra Anderson February 10, 2012
lovely, look 4ward to edits #9975044Jeff E Jensen February 10, 2012
Yeah, this is really beautiful. Makes me glad that our winter has been a bit mild :o)I like Dale's suggestions, I think the second would be my preference. The slight blue color cast is my only issue (very common for images of snow) #9975095
Michael Kelly February 10, 2012
I agree with Jeff. The second one would be my recommendation. I love the shot! A wonderful white on white study. The composition is wonderful and the dark trunk of the tree and the bit of fence posts add great contrast to the white all around.Also agree with Jeff. This has been a great mild winter for us here. It may get a little dry. If we don't get some more precipitation, but we have been known to get a lot of moisture in March.
#9975937
Teresa H. Hunt February 10, 2012
Looks cold!!This is a really beautiful shot! I look forward to seeing the edits. #9976169
Anthony L. Mancuso February 10, 2012
Very nice Sue! Luckily we haven't gotten very much snow around here since our freak October storm..WLTSDS #9976237Anthony L. Mancuso February 10, 2012
Very nice Sue! Luckily we haven't gotten very much snow around here since our freak October storm..WLTSDS #9976242Stephen Shoff February 10, 2012
It will be interesting to me to see how Dale's suggestion turns out. #9976359Aimee C. Eisaman February 11, 2012
I really like this sue...always love photos of snow laden trees and the fence adds to the composition and interest. I just can't seem to see images like that like I do images of people. WLTSDS :~) #9976682Beth Spencer February 14, 2012
I really like the composition and the only thing would be to remove the blue color cast. I look forward to the edits. #9983094Peter W. Marks February 15, 2012
A very nice image Sue and like the others would be interested in seeing any adjustments you might make.Dale Hardin February 15, 2012
Peter, you mis-understood. "composted" is how most of my images need to be and I became confused, again. :o) Good catch. #9983857Ellen H. Robertson February 16, 2012
Beautiful. Love the tree, the fence corner and the stark simplicity. #9985483Sue C. Cole February 17, 2012
Drum roll please...dddumdddum... I finally finished the three suggestions Dale gave me on this image. I'm not proficient in PSCS5 but I am working on it. Thank you Dale. I know which one I like the best but I would like to know what you all think. I do plan to enter one of these in a juried art show come April. If you would be so kind to tell me which one you would choose and why I would really appreciate it. #9988292Sue C. Cole February 17, 2012
OOOPS, lol! It might help to add the pics' #9988293Peter W. Marks February 18, 2012
Good morning Sue. Looking at all three of the adjusted images brought home to me what I had missed in the original you posted. The area enclosed by the fence creates a band of tone or color that seems at odds with the sky and snow; almost as if you had selected that area and did a slightly different curves adjustment to it so that now the bits of sky seen between the wire fence is a slightly different tone of grey but also the snow on the ground within the fenced area is not as white as the foreground.Aimee C. Eisaman February 19, 2012
My vote goes for the 2nd suggestion! :~) #9990414Ellen H. Robertson February 19, 2012
my choice is the third one. I like that you can see the snow in the sky, to me completes the snow you see on the tree. And really give the shot the cold stark feel. I just love it. #9990676Teresa H. Hunt February 19, 2012
I vote for #2 as well. Thought I like #3 too. Good luck in the competition :) #9991015Sue C. Cole February 20, 2012
Thank you for all your suggestions I will let you know the outcome if I get selected. Peter, I don't remember doing any selective adjustments but I will find the original and check it out. I didn't really notice that until you pin pointed it out and now it stand out. Thank you #9993241Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.
BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.
Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.
The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:
I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.
You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Sue C. Cole.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.
I already have an account!