Down the garden path

[Grumpy John]

A couple of images from Autumn a few years ago in the Piriander Gardens in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges.
Dappled light, shadows, and sky breaking through the canopy, not an easy task, how did I do?
Serious CC invited.

[Toddyh]

Very tough to get this right. Done pretty well I think.
There's some blown out spots obviously. The blown tree on the right of #1 I find distracting.

The colours in #2 are great but again the bright area on the ground diverts attention.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for the feedback Todd. I'm going to work on getting the first image right, and your feedback will help.

[Ironwood]

My first impression when I looked at #1, was that the greens were over saturated, but that may be how it was on the day, I know what it’s like when the tree canopy is lit from above, I am trying to deal with it every time I go outside and try to shoot the birds at my place. Definitely not easy to get it right.
Second thing, is it looks like you have reduced the shadows a bit too much, maybe could increase the black point a bit too but would need to experiment.
The composition looks right, and the leading lines help draw your eye through the images.
Overall, I would be happy if I took them, but I would just PP them a bit differently.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for the comments Brad. I went a little nuts on the processing of the first one and I needed some honest feedback to point it out. No use asking family members what they think, "that's nice dear", isn't very helpful

[Ironwood]

Yeah, I know what you mean with the family members comments. I showed one of the inlaws a photo the other day, it went along the lines of “ Oohh, that’s really nice, you must have a really good camera” Had to bite my tongue or I would have got myself in trouble.

[Grumpy John]

My problem is that I can't bite my tongue, hence i'm always in trouble.

[wigz]

I agree with Brad's comment. They look a little over-saturated to me; the colour of the fallen leaves in the foreground looks a bit off, but I wasn't there. I also think the shadows may have been lifted a bit too much in #1. A difficult subject, Composition looks good. If I was on my computer I would have a play with it.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks Alan, feel free to have a play with it if you get the chance.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks all for your comments.
I have had another go at #1, see what you think.

[Ironwood]

That looks much more natural now John. It’s lost that “Enchanted Forest “ look though.
I think it still needs the black point raised to give it a bit more contrast.

[Grumpy John]

That looks much more natural now John. It’s lost that “Enchanted Forest “ look though.
I think it still needs the black point raised to give it a bit more contrast.

Thanks for the feedback Brad. I need to strike a nice balance between the oversaturated look of the first image and the edit.
How's this?

[Ironwood]

I like this version John. I would be happy with that if I was doing it, but I wasn’t there to see the scene how it was when you clicked the shutter. Getting our photos to look like the vision we had at the time, can be near on impossible at times.

[wigz]

That looks pretty good to me John. The branches at the top, the wall, the path and the larger green leaves in the foreground work together to make a very pleasing image. Well worth the effort on getting it right.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks Alan.

[Isac]

It's all subjective John and there's no rules for PP. Post the #1 original and let everyone have a play - could be fun!! Members would need to explain the workflow so we can all join in. #2 looks OK with all those beautiful colours!

[Grumpy John]

It's all subjective John and there's no rules for PP. Post the #1 original and let everyone have a play - could be fun!! Members would need to explain the workflow so we can all join in. #2 looks OK with all those beautiful colours!

Here you go Isac, pretty much a straight RAW to jpeg conversion og the original.
Game on.



EXIF Data:
File Name: E:\Users\John\Pictures\Pirianda Gardens\Pirianda Gardens_0027.dng
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 7D
Software: Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw 7.3 (Windows)
Date/Time: 2013-04-21 13:04:41
Exposure Time: 1/1 sec
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
F Number: F 10
Max Aperture: F 2.83
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 100
Flash: Flash did not fire [off]
Focal Length: 17 mm
35mm Equivalent:
Metering Mode: Center weighted average

[Isac]

Thanks for that John. The image looks OK as it is really. Did that EXIF data come from Faststone? I also see your version of ACR is 7.3. Your image is from 2013 so you've probably got the latest version 9.1.1

[Grumpy John]

Thanks Isac, maybe I was/am being a tad critical of the highlights.
Yes Fastone for the EXIF data.

[Isac]

I asked the guys at Faststone if they could incorporate the exif selection and they were happy to include it in their next version. I was really chuffed