Swampfrog's Oregon Photography Tour

[swampfrog]

These seem really dialed down from your usual adjustments.

Some of the photos are travelogue types, just remembering what we saw. Those tend to get less processing. My experience with flowers is severely lacking, so what I'm taking a more natural approach, a little less saturation and added contrast.

I'm usually pushing the border of real vs eye-catching.

[wuapinmon]

These seem really dialed down from your usual adjustments.

[swampfrog]

[swampfrog]

Awesome pictures. In yesterday's batch, I was thinking this first one didn't have enough sky in it, and then you over-compensate (to my eye, at least) on the last one today with lots of sky. I know you're intentionally showing landscape in the first and sky in the 2nd, but it's a little more unbalanced than I'd probably do. Not that I'm complaining; I enjoy seeing your pictures.

I play with where the horizon is placed a lot. I like the look of an interesting landscape with the sky just essentially creating a border with emphasis on the lower part of the image--especially if the sky is colorless/cloudless. Often only representing 10-15% of the whole image as in the first. The second is more traditional with the horizon just about on the 1/3 line. Moving the horizon to non-typical locations can add some uniqueness.

Some thoughts here, though this was just a quick google, lots of people to listen to about this particular topic.

https://expertphotography.com/composition-horizon-placement/

[swampfrog]

Gorgeous! That last one really pops, and those dead trees in stark contrast to the green around them are beautiful.

Polarizer used on skies with white clouds is one of my favorite looks. Really deep blues with rich white textured clouds. Even better if the clouds are creating shadows on the ground.

[mtnbiker]

Awesome pictures. In yesterday's batch, I was thinking this first one didn't have enough sky in it, and then you over-compensate (to my eye, at least) on the last one today with lots of sky. I know you're intentionally showing landscape in the first and sky in the 2nd, but it's a little more unbalanced than I'd probably do. Not that I'm complaining; I enjoy seeing your pictures.

[wuapinmon]

Gorgeous! That last one really pops, and those dead trees in stark contrast to the green around them are beautiful.

[swampfrog]

[Pelado]

the trees have eyes

Those would terrify my middle daughter. She has an irrational fear of inanimate objects that look like they have eyes.

I thought the same thing.

[BigPiney]

the trees have eyes

Those would terrify my middle daughter. She has an irrational fear of inanimate objects that look like they have eyes.

[swampfrog]

[swampfrog]

[swampfrog]

I can see why those tips went a different color. The color is more natural now, and while not as "stunning" I think both senses of that word were applicable before. The decrease in brightness is really what makes these better to me. That second one of the creek is really lovely. I want to be there right now.

I was going for the effect recorded in my memory, which was that the original scene was too bright--Summer afternoon. But also cold. Snow still in some shaded areas. Too bright is less pleasing--but closer to what I was experiencing. I had to use 3 frame HDR composites to deal with the extreme contrast of the natural light to get any shadow detail in the end result.

[swampfrog]

We were on our way up to experience sunset from near the top of Steens Mountain. Lots of landscape and wildflower images to come.

[wuapinmon]

Here's a couple reprocessed. It was exceptionally bright as it can be at higher elevations, it was also chilly. The saturation was definitely overdone. It's interesting how my mood can sometimes affect my processing choices.

I can see why those tips went a different color. The color is more natural now, and while not as "stunning" I think both senses of that word were applicable before. The decrease in brightness is really what makes these better to me. That second one of the creek is really lovely. I want to be there right now.