Hunter Valley (Easter Weekend Shots)

[photomarcs]

Hey Guys!!

Been a while since I've been here.

Below is my shot from the Lindeman's Winery. Was pretty happy with this shot, but feel something is missing and I have no clue what it is. This was shot with my 1D Mark IV, 17-40mm f4L USM and Cokin Z-Series ND Z121S + Tobacco T2 Filter. Sun was a bit harsh, however I thought I'd get some views on this.

*********NOTE : OPEN FOR EDITING.

Here we go!

[Reschsmooth]

For me, the thing that is lacking is the more linear perspective of the vines. As they recede, they become a sea of brown/red. I would prefer to see the individual rows go to the background.

When I was in the Hunter a few months ago, I found it difficult to pull off the type of shot I refer to above as I couldn't get a higher enough perspective.

[biggerry]

Marcus, without trying to sound like a prick, if you take the time to ask for comments and critique, please take the time to at least acknowledge peoples response and the time taken to write them ( i am referring to you last set of images from your seascape session)

With regard to your posted image, what was your main subject? whats the key anchor point? I find my eye wanders all over the image looking for a anchor point, the sky looks nice, the foreground (greens) look nice but nothing joins it together or locks me in. Patrick has raised a good point too.

Have you tried cropping away some of the sky and brightening some of that dull brown vine area? with teh cropping the house and the water tank could then become key elements.

hth

[aim54x]

I have to admit I am very ho hum about this image Marcus. There is a strange, almost HDR-like tonal range in this, and the colours dont match up in my mind (grass to yellow for the overcast sky). As Patrick already mentioned, getting the repetitive lines of vines would improve this image, but there are other issues with obtaining that image.....mount camera on monopod and stick it up as far as you can?

[photomarcs]

For me, the thing that is lacking is the more linear perspective of the vines. As they recede, they become a sea of brown/red. I would prefer to see the individual rows go to the background.

When I was in the Hunter a few months ago, I found it difficult to pull off the type of shot I refer to above as I couldn't get a higher enough perspective.

That's something I was thinking, I couldn't get high enough... I tried to sharpen the middle of the cascades to try to get a bit more contrast and tone through to show a form of depth, but it just turned to s***.

Marcus, without trying to sound like a prick, hth

haha! never!

if you take the time to ask for comments and critique, please take the time to at least acknowledge peoples response and the time taken to write them
hth

I do apologize for that, I have been a wandering eye and I did take the critique on board, but at that time I was inactive on forum and thought if i posted something I'd become active again... guessed wrong on that.

With regard to your posted image, what was your main subject? whats the key anchor point? I find my eye wanders all over the image looking for a anchor point, the sky looks nice, the foreground (greens) look nice but nothing joins it together or locks me in. Patrick has raised a good point too.

Have you tried cropping away some of the sky and brightening some of that dull brown vine area? with teh cropping the house and the water tank could then become key elements.

hth

Appreciate that Big G, I felt a bit lost which was why I thought it was best to approach here and make myself an active member again. I actually contemplated cropping/cloning out the housing + water tank, but you do raise a good point turning it into a key element.

I have to admit I am very ho hum about this image Marcus. There is a strange, almost HDR-like tonal range in this, and the colours dont match up in my mind (grass to yellow for the overcast sky). As Patrick already mentioned, getting the repetitive lines of vines would improve this image, but there are other issues with obtaining that image.....mount camera on monopod and stick it up as far as you can?

I didn't have a monopod handy unfortunately.. we should plan a trip up next time dude! when we both aren't working.. (weekday or weekend).

I think the HDR-like tonal range is mainly due to the filters used.. I didn't process this much in terms of post-procession, however I did muck around with curves and basic adjustments (contrast, sharpen and colour balance). I'm just feeling like I'm missing the plot with this though..I tried to make it look "even" but I might need to push the midtones of the brown/red of the vines. I did take a lot of the blues out of the image.

[biggerry]

[biggerry]

Lookign at it again Marcus, i think having some more room on the left side would definitely help...

[surenj]

Marcus, this compo is not particularly strong; hence the issues with this image.

I reckon you need a reshoot with better directional light and composition (higher could be better; perhaps the monopod idea is a good one - you just need a swiwel LCD for composition.

This is overcooked but you get the drift.

[Remorhaz]

This is overcooked but you get the drift.

OMG - my eyes... my eyes...