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Stages of Fall

© Stephen Shoff

Stages of Fall

Uploaded: October 18, 2013

Description

f4, 1/30 sec, ISO 800; EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/30 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 300.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Stephen Shoff October 18, 2013

Amusing shooting note...

I was standing on the side of the road with my camera on a tripod and a 300mm lens attached pointing down the slope...clearly focused on something close.

A caravan of SUVs roared by and pulled over just past me. 10-15 photographers got out -- yet another workshop. This one was large and in the middle of the week, somewhat unusual. I always wonder who's leading these. Turned out it was John Sexton's Fall Colors workshop. One week, $1500 dollars, too rich for my blood but he does do remarkable work. He would be worth learning from.

As I finished my photo and carried my rig across the road to my car, the one thing I heard was "Lots of opportunities here...find the small image that tells a large story". Sounded good to me.

At my car, I looked up and saw another opportunity -- an Aspen with wonderful color in front of complementary rock walls so I started taking that. I was immediately swarmed by 6 photographers with large cameras and tripods taking pictures of the same tree.

I don't think a single person investigated this possibility. #1549048

Dale Hardin October 18, 2013

Great story Stephen. Sounds like us when the Phellos were together, except for the $1500. :o) #10875448

Rita K. Connell level-classic October 18, 2013

what wonderful story Stephen, it always amazes me how the leaves change colors. I can't put my finger on it but his one isn't setting right with me. #10875641

Jeff E Jensen October 19, 2013

Ha, that's too funny, Stephen.

I agree with Rita, there's something not quite right about this one. Perhaps a levels adjustment would do the trick? #10876086

Michael Kelly level-classic October 19, 2013

Wow thats a lot of $ for a class - great story.

I must agree that this one is not my favorite from you. I can not put my finger on a good change. To me the comp. simply does not work with all the color interest at the edges. It is like you are frameing somthing that just is not there. #10876284

Susan Williams October 19, 2013

Well, Stephen, I really like this shot because of its authenticity as a nature shot, and because it carries itself without unrealistic color and detail enhancements. It is what is seen in the wild and therefore is very appealing to me. I also like the composition with the yellow leaves on three sides and the green as a diagonal in the other direction. #10876612

Elaine Hessler October 20, 2013

Ya know, I do like this one. My favorite part of this picture is the green leaves against the rock with the lichen on it. I LOVE lichens. Really, I do. I know this is weird, but they are beautiful. Peter-this is a really cool biological topic if you are interested:)

Not sure what this would look like, but it might be pretty to crop out the other branches-keep the green diagonal one and run the crop to the top right corner. You would have that beautiful branch with the beautiful backdrop. I think the out of focus leaves are a little distracting...

Just my two cents:) #10877385

Peter W. Marks October 20, 2013

Stephen, I sort of understand what some of the others are saying but it also has positive attributes that make up for that. I think it is perhaps challenging precisely because it is not the more usual fall leaf shot and that is what makes it interesting.
OK Elaine, I guess I now need to swot up on 'lichen' for my mid-term exam! #10877469

Stephen Shoff October 20, 2013

Good feedback. Thank you.

"...frameing somthing that just is not there." is a good description Mike. The difficulty I'm having is getting enough contrast between the green leaves and the blue/gray rock behind so that the primary element can compete with the secondary framing yellows. I did selectively warm that rock some in ACR. I think my next step will be to try to de-saturate or lighten the rock to increase contrast with the green leaves. Jeff, some kind of tonal adjustment is needed. If Levels can pull it off, I'll need a little more direction.

Elaine, my pre-visualization and first exposures were a vertical composition just like you described. I had some problems with extraneous leaves along the border, and that gray branch leading out of the frame was stronger due the tighter framing. (It is masked somewhat in this post so that it doesn't actually reach the border.) Now that I'm home, I'll work some more on the original intent.

But that will be a few days. I've got a pretty busy couple days now that I'm back.

#10877572

Stephen Shoff October 23, 2013

OK, back to work...

I've made some tonal adjustments to try to strengthen the primary element within the compositions. Darkened the green leaves and lightened the rock background. Used noise reduction to soften the yellow leaves. #10879721

Dale Hardin October 24, 2013

Nice improvement Stephen, and not overdone. Like it. #10879999

Michael Kelly level-classic October 24, 2013

Yes this edit improves the shot by making the subject green leaves stand out more so that they can be framed without drawing the eye to the border. Nice work. #10880061

Jeff E Jensen October 24, 2013

Yup, this works better for me. Nice job! #10880214

Elaine Hessler October 24, 2013

Yes, this definitely works. I would never have thought to make the change this way, but it looks great. #10880265

Rita K. Connell level-classic October 24, 2013

Yup it works for me also...I really like how you brought the green leaves out. nice job Stephen
as one would say NOW IT SPEAKS TO ME...lol #10880289

Beth Spencer October 25, 2013

Your edits look great! I wouldn't have thought to go that way with the edits! #10880639

Stephen Shoff October 26, 2013

Thank you for your responses. I have a better image as a result. #10881421

Susan Williams October 26, 2013

I like your edited version a lot, Stephen. #10881435

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