log, fog, something wrong

[dooda]

Something about this pic I really like, but I have a nagging feeling I missed something and I can not figure it out. Like I framed the stump wrong or something. Any comments are welcome. Thankyou. I tried to lighten the stump subtly, but am still pretty new at the quick mask (by new I mean I dont know how to do it). Not really sure if I succeeded there either. Its lightness looks a little fake maybe or something. Please critique.

[kipper]

Me thinks this is where a grad nd or double exposure and merge in photoshop is required

[mudder]

G'day,
Great subject, but I too think the stump almost looks superimposed or something... Wonder what it would look like if you were a little to the "left" of the stump and the stump ended up a little off-center (to the right) and sort of pointing at the bridge in the distant fog???

Terrific subject though...

Cheers,
Mudder

[xerubus]

i really like this shot dooda.... i guess with a little bit more light somehow on the log it would be spot on.... but then... you loose the background... tough call...

[xorl]

The bridge slipping in and out of the fog grabs my eye immediately (very nice!), but the large log sitting front/centre feels like it is getting in the way. Maybe a different perspective is needed to reduce size of the log and move it out the way? Alternatively, you separate the two - the bridge & log could be strong elements in their own photos.

I wonder home much it costs to hire a smoke/fog machine, it might make for some interesting studio shots .

[dooda]

Mark,

Yeh I think that's the problem, it feels like it's getting in the way. I wish I took a couple of other shots of this. It was sort of an afterthought photo, in viewing it last night I realized that it had tons of potential had I thought it through a little better. Too late now.

Kipper, you know what the crappy thing is? I have a grad ND filter and didn't bring it with me on this shot. What a moron!

I think I should have exposed up a little more or something. I still need to work on this, but I wish that I had let them interact better (the stump and bridge), rule of thirds would have worked it out a little better. Thanks for the comments.

[flipfrog]

wassup Dave!

i like this shot too but i feel that the two problems are:

1. very underexposed log (try going up a few on exposure compensation..it doesnt hurt to try several shots. The other way is to meter off the log, then reframe and shoot...regardless, the lighting made this one difficult exposure for sure). You can try to lighten up the log with the dodge tool in PS, or simply level adjustments...

2. both the LG bridge and the log are both straight on, i wonder if u could have tried a slightly different composition?

Still this one should make your flickr page

[dooda]

THanks Dee.

The more I look at this the more pissed I am that I didn't spend more time on it. The bridge itself is a pretty good shot, and why I didn't take 7 steps to the left and reframe is completely beyond me.

[Nicole]

I'm with Kipper on the Grad ND or double exposures. I also think placing the log further to the right of the frame would be better. The log seems to be too prominent. Maybe zoom out a little further. Has the potential to be a moody shot.

[Greg B]

dooda, I reckon some very low power flash on the log may give you something - diffuser on the flash, manual mode, 1/16 power, that sort of thing. The SB800 is well suited to this sort of situation because of it's flexibility.

The bridge looks fantastic!

[xorl]

Dave,

How often do you get weather like that? Hopefully you will get another chance soon!