A look at a remote trail from my first snowshoe trek of the season - the latest storm that coated the trees did so because it started as rain and freezing rain, then quickly turned so the snow is frozen in place. It’s been windy, but still it remains. Just gorgeous, but those bent over trees made progress very slow (it took us 45 minutes to go one mile, with just a few stops for me to shoot). Still, it was too lovely not to go out in it. High single digits is good snowshoeing weather.
Feedback Requests
Modulating the shadows is my biggest concern with snow and so any thoughts on that are welcome. I have some room to maneuver with the crop, but not much. The snow is still there so a do over is also a possibility. LOL
Pertinent Technical Details
Handheld w/a polarizer that I didn’t have a place for so it had to stay on. Oh well.
Lightroom for everything including some masking as well as global adjustments to smooth the dynamic range. A little wb warming and a distraction was removed. Cropped slightly. Texture & a bit of sharpening.
Yeah dynamic range is tricky in a snow scene, ya? But I think you did well here. I like how the snowshoe prints lead me down the path - wonder if a little extra light or texture on them would enhance that? Not sure. I do think maybe just a tich of extra illumination at the far end of the path would add more of an invitation to follow it. I really like how the tree branches on the side point the way.
I really like this image, It’s a beautiful winter wonderland.
I’m wondering if you could add a bit more light in the trees at the end of the ski tracks, to bring you eye in, like the light at the end of a tunnel.
Maybe a radial mask with just a slight adjustment to add bit more light.
It’s a lovely image as is.
The shadows look fine to me, Kris. With all that white reflecting light, they shouldn’t be too deep, so these feel realistic to me. I also think the crop works. I was wondering how that path got there without knocking snow off branches, so your explanation helps me reconcile that issue.
Thanks @Connie_McClaran, @alice & @Dennis_Plank - new shot up in the OP. Funny that you picked up on that bright end of the trail suggesting a radial gradient to enhance the light there. I had one in the original, but I guess I was too light handed with it. So I amped it up a bit and I think it’s ok and not too forced looking (something I dread). Is that more effective?
Oh and thanks Alice for picking up on those branches in front - that’s what made me stop in addition to the little tunnel at the back - I loved the light and the sort of gate they made, directing you further into the shot. Adding depth is something I always try for in my photos. Insofar as the tracks go, adding texture there darkened the shadows and I decided to leave them light.
A very calm and beautiful image and I agree that the repost makes it even that much better. No nits from me! Oh and I think the shadows look perfectly fine here.
Kris, this tells a fine story…certainly invites the view to go treking. The extra dodging in the “distance” adds a fine sense of whating to continue exploring…even if you do have snow down your neck…
What a lovely place to walk and explore! The image brings me right into the scene and eager to follow the trail. The inclusion of FG elements gives it a very realistic depth. The shadows look fine, as does the overall WB, and the RP is a lovely touch!
Thanks @Dennis_Plank, @Connie_McClaran, @Mark_Seaver, @Tom_Nevesely & @Diane_Miller - your input has made me feel more confident about the new version. It is a nice bit of trail and very underused compared to other sections of the IAT, which seems to have become more popular, especially after 2020 when it was overrun. It now has National Park status and thru-hikers have found it. Luckily for me I live just a few minutes from many section trail heads.
