Mountain

[armando_m]

It is called Nevado de Colima, it is about 12700 ft high.
It will only gets snow 1 or 2 days every year, this time it got much more and it has lasted over a week, currently closed to the public as there has been some accidents.



Comments & Critics ?

Thanks !

[Bretm1]

Very pretty. Nevado de Colima is the higher and older of two towering volcanos in the Colima Volcanic Complex,( thanks to Mr. Google). The foreground first hit this newbie as too dark but then I was taken by the yin and yang type contrast between the dark and the light and it all of a sudden made it ok, especially with the majesty of the volcano's ( I think the stubby one to the right is active) and the pastel sky.

[Greg McCary]

Very nice,no critique needed from me, well done.

[daq7]

Yeah, pretty nice. I assume there is a paved road to this spot?

[MarcusK]

Well, since you asked for it... at the top of the frame, near the white strip of cloud (thin and very white) there is a black dot... a speck really... just a quick cloning out or Spot healing will do...

And that's it... there is nothing about this photo that in my opinion warrants any comments that could be constructive... all of it is simple and honest congratulations and admiration.

So bravo... it's excellent!

[armando_m]

Thank you all for the comments !

Bret, the active volcano is behind the Nevado , not visible in this photo, I would have to drive another 40 miles or so to get a sight of the "Volcan de Colima", it's not usual to be driving on the highway and see a column of smoke expelled up in the air.

Greg, thanks again

Daq, yes there is a toll road from Guadalajara to Colima, quite nice actually , I got to do a bit of a bit of high speed "test" of the TDI
A secondary road passes a lot closer to the base of the mountain, up to the entrance of the national park, then it is all non-paved to get up the mountain, that part is currently not accessible to the public.

Marcus, It took me a while to find the tiny black dot , thanks for the comment

[daq7]

Why do machines and roads have to be so compelling? Too bad you can't ride the unpaved part, but I would probably too much of a weenie on a motorcycle.

[GB1]

Interesting colors and transition in the sky. This one is about simple shapes and colors. I might try bumping the contrast up just a little bit more to create more punch. It should also be sharper where the distance hill meets the foreground one (is the original sharp or is this a resizing of the JPG issue?)


G

[armando_m]

GB1

here is second try ...

regarding sharpness, hmm, the original is not much better
I added a bit of highpass filter, 1 radius, but seems to have added a bit of a halo right on the transition of the mountains

[daq7]

Big improvement on the second one. Way more saturated and soft.

[daq7]

No, not more saturated, but softer with more luminous light in the foreground.

[GB1]

I know what you mean about the hallows, but I still think it can be adjusted further Armando. Here's a small tweak I tried ..

EDIT - Actually, I see the hallow on the left side (didn't notice it until now). I guess it just can't take any more PP

[armando_m]

I'll try sharpening the original size, then resize

or try a tonemapped version from a single raw

I'll see what works better

but I call it night by now

Thanks

[MarcusK]

So i guess I was wrong... there could be some improvement.. the second looks much much better!

[n8]

I think the foreground looked better silhouetted imho. Great picture either way. I see you made the move on the d300...good call.

[armando_m]

I know what you mean about the hallows, but I still think it can be adjusted further Armando. Here's a small tweak I tried ..

EDIT - Actually, I see the hallow on the left side (didn't notice it until now). I guess it just can't take any more PP

Takinga second look at you edit,
I can see a good improvement on the mountain

What did you do ? looks like more contrast and more sharpening , right ?
If I avoid sharpening the edge of the foreground mountan I think it will still look better.

[GB1]

Takinga second look at you edit,
I can see a good improvement on the mountain

What did you do ? looks like more contrast and more sharpening , right ?
If I avoid sharpening the edge of the foreground mountan I think it will still look better.

Right. A bit more sharpening and bumped up the contrast, which increases the feeling of sharpness. I also ran it though Neat Image's grain reduction plug-in, which smoothed it out a little.

You might want to try selective sharpening, hitting the right side a little more than the left. But I think you might run out of options before it gets as sharp as you want. Just hold to the image,.. in a year or two they'll have a miracle sharpening plug-in that will solve everything

[gahspidy]

Armando, I think this is a beautiful shot that is stunning in its simplicity and subtle colors and tonal gradations. Effective layering of the foreground and distant mountian, and the sky with its soft pastel like colors and tones top it off to a fine touch.
everyone will have their preferences about post processing and none is really right or wrong, its very subjective. I feel the original was best. i liked the soft focus of the mountain, it keeps it further away and adds more depth to the photo than having it sharpened and brought out front. the soft colors and tones with minimal saturation is delightful and very pleasing to view. there is a sense of tranquility and calm with the softness and subtlety of the original.
Exellent composition.

[daq7]

Grats on the stick.

[armando_m]

wow! my first sticky

[draymorton]

^ Are we surprised?

Fantastic shot. Picture perfect.

[BlueRob]

Not much to add or correct from that shot Armando....really nice capture, light and frame...well done! and congrats on the sticky :thumbsup:

[Photo-John]

Yeah, pretty nice. I assume there is a paved road to this spot?

Just a reminder - this is the Photo Critique forum. "Pretty nice" is not a critique. This is a serious forum and you sell yourself short by not really participating. You may think that the photographer has the most to gain here. I don't believe that's the case. I think the critic actually learns the most. The process of breaking down and articulating what you like and don't like about an image is very powerful. By making the effort you learn a lot about what you like and don't like, what works and doesn't work. Being a critic will make you a better photographer. So don't be shy and don't be lazy. Make the effort and reap the rewards!