Otto Lake, Alaska

[charm87]

This was taken from our room at a bed & breakfast near Denali National Park. Man, I love that state.

I tried increasing the contrast of the clouds in Photoshop, but ended up leaving it the way it was for a couple of reasons. First, this is more true to the original feel of the day: the soft, misty look from the low clouds. Second, when I increased the contrast of the clouds, my eye couldn't decide whether it was drawn to the clouds or the landscape. That's not to say the starkness of the higher contrast didn't have a nice quality itself - in fact, I had a difficult time deciding..... Oh heck, I'll just attach them both. Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!
Reanna

[molaselake]

I like the higher contrast clouds, but it looks like the land and the trees are a little dark. Was this converted from color or was this straight black and white? Sometimes I think shots like this work better if they're done in color because black and white doesn't do them justice.

[charm87]

Thank you, Liz. Here is the original in color. I was going for the dark, ominous look and I actually like the original....but since the entire exposure was pretty much gray anyway, I thought I'd fiddle with black & white. Thoughts? Thanks again!

Reanna

[GB1]

Reanna - Difficult to critique. I sort of like the contrast but at the same time it's so extreme that it makes the foreground and middle shadow areas too dark. It's a nice expt for B&W but I think that it might have been better as a color shot: my rule of thumb on B&W vs Color is that for sunrise/sunset shots etc, always use color. (B&W is great for people, esp in the studio.)

I hear that Alaska is great. I hope to finally get up there next summer.

GB

[charm87]

GB, that place is amazing. I was on the airplane heading home and already brainstorming to figure out how to get back. Plan to spend more than a week, though, especially if you don't want to rush past the photo ops.

This was taken late in the morning and I was really drawn by the low, dark clouds. I tried to intensify the eerie atmosphere, but perhaps I underexposed by too much. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go back to Alaska and try it again.

[GB1]

GB, that place is amazing. I was on the airplane heading home and already brainstorming to figure out how to get back. Plan to spend more than a week, though, especially if you don't want to rush past the photo ops.

This was taken late in the morning and I was really drawn by the low, dark clouds. I tried to intensify the eerie atmosphere, but perhaps I underexposed by too much. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go back to Alaska and try it again.

Reanna - It must really be nice if you were immediately planning the next trip on the way outta there! Even know I don't love cold weather, I've been very interested in Alaska for the last two years but can't seem to find the time to go. There's cruises too, which makes it simplier, but they just stop in ports for x hrs and then depart again - a serious photographer would not be able to do any inland shots or hikes in that type arrangement. Boo hoo.

The Alaska trip is right up there with a hike up Kilimanjaro. Maybe some other folks on the board are also interested in that.. I think the PR boards would be a good place to find a group of folks for it. The snow will not be there for much longer.

[charm87]

GB, I recommend Alaska more than any place I've ever been. It's different up there, still very wild when you get away from the cities. For that reason I recommend avoiding cruises. Any Alaska resident will tell you it's not worth the time, and you can get a lot more out of your money if you go inland and plan it yourself (would be happy to send you info). And you're right, not nearly as many photo ops when you spend half your trip getting to and from your destination on the ocean. I went end of May / beginning of June and the temps were in the 70s with blue skies 5.5 out of 8 days. I want to go back at every season, including winter to catch the northern lights and dog sledders.

Now, Kilimanjaro sounds like a fascinating adventure, I'll definitely have to put that one on my list.

Okay, sorry, I know I'm turning this thread into a discussion forum. But once you get me started on Alaska, there's no end....

[GB1]

Reanna - Yeah, send me some info on Alaska. I'd like to know what not to miss for when I go. I'd also like to get north of the artic circle and see the sun at 2 am Shoot the info to me as a private message so we dont clog up the board.

I know several people who've climbed Kilimanjaro. You actually *walk* up it, it takes about 4-5 days to do so. The locals escort you up and carry all your stuff for you (jez, what a job..) The only downside is the cost of the trip - probably 5K. I guess it's something you have to really want to do.

GB

[Seb]

This was taken from our room at a bed & breakfast near Denali National Park. Man, I love that state.

I tried increasing the contrast of the clouds in Photoshop, but ended up leaving it the way it was for a couple of reasons. First, this is more true to the original feel of the day: the soft, misty look from the low clouds. Second, when I increased the contrast of the clouds, my eye couldn't decide whether it was drawn to the clouds or the landscape. That's not to say the starkness of the higher contrast didn't have a nice quality itself - in fact, I had a difficult time deciding..... Oh heck, I'll just attach them both. Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!
Reanna

Though one!

The foreground is dark but then, the scene as a whole is so fascinating that it actually works for me anyway. The clouds and the water are splendid.
You might be interested by the following: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tu...-masking.shtml
Contrast masking is a technique which allow to lighten shadows areas while the effect on mid tones and highlights is minimal.

regards

Seb