Image(s)
Image Description
The branches of this tree the wind their way around this small space at the Portland Japanese Garden. The image was a little soft, but when I went back a few days later, the light was flatter and the result no better.
To me, both the gnarled, encapsulated cavities of the trunk and branches of this tree and the mossy lantern beyond the bushes speak to both the beauty and the ravages of time.
Feedback Requests
I struggled to contain the contrasts in this image. I liked the ethereal aspect of the highlights at the top, but no so much the brighter spots around the image. I can burn some more, but I thought I would stop for now and share this before the weekly challenge ends.
This is a square crop off a horizontal composition. Too much light to the right and too much tea house to the left.
Pertinent Technical Details
Canon 5d3, 24-105 at 32mm, tripod
LR processing for highlights, crop of about 25% off original for square framing
Hi Marylynne! I really like this image. I haven’t seen a shot from this point of view before, so to me, it is a unique take on these fabulous gardens. The colors and details are spot on and I love the comp. I’m sure when you get back to it you can solve the contrast issues. The image is well worth the effort. I haven’t been to the gardens in many years and this makes me want to go back. Very well done!
Marylynne, I’m thoroughly enjoying the placement (and subtle isolation) of the gnarled tree trunk along with how much color and interest the “background” adds. The framing of the lantern is good, also. Yes, some of the yellows look a bit hot, but that is fixable. The image looks nicely sharp here.
Thanks @Mark_Seaver and @Steve_Kennedy.
I toned down the yellows (maybe overboard) and cloned out a few bright bits on moss near the bush to the left. Not sure why this seemed soft before I export sharpened, but perhaps I’m just out of practice with recognizing the difference between pre-sharpened raw and out of focus shooting.
ML
I
The update looks really good to me. It’s a feast for the eyes!
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