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  1. #1
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    Mountain Fireweed

    From a backpacking trip this summer. There were flowers everywhere. Again, HDR. I always seem to like my shots a little better doing this since, in my mind, it looks more like how I remember seeing it. Nothing is straight here and I am not sure if the saturation is too high. Let me know what you think!

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  2. #2
    Senior Member arne saknussen's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    This is a great shot. You've convinced me to deal with HDR now. I like the saturation of the flowers, however I can see where it might bother some. I think it complements the waterfall, some might think it distracts.

  3. #3
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    That is my kind of HDR it doesn't look like one. The only thing that probably could help would be a golden hour shot.
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  4. #4
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    It is a very slight HDR. I worked with just two shots to help bring some of the rock face back in. It didn't do much for the sky though, but I figured it was not the focus of the scene at all so should be ok.
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  5. #5
    Senior Member Dylan8i's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    i think the sky is fine. i think a slight lowering in saturation would help though. just the greens and blues. the flowers themselves look ok, to me.
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  6. #6
    Member mdvaden's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    Its scenes like this that really helped my mind when starting in the landscape / horticulture field. Because weeds were like enemies from a certain maintenance point of view.

    The plants are remarkable in natural settings where they can be appreciated the way they should be.

  7. #7
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    Well done. the saturation is fine and although everyone will have their own taste in regards to that it technically does not look over the top.
    I like the use of the wild flowers as a foreground element leading us in and setting off the mountains and waterfall. My only real gripe here is that the overall composition feels a bit tight. Everything feels cramped in with no breathing room. i understand you may have been isolating against undesired elements nearby, but end result is the only thing that ever matters to the viewer.
    Still a beauty and i think i'll stick it. . .
    Last edited by gahspidy; 11-01-2010 at 08:29 AM. Reason: Sticking as Featured Photo. November 1, 2010
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  8. #8
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    Thank you for the sticky! For the idea of a cramped feeling of the photo, is it the idea that it doesn't feel like a wide open space? I think I see how everything building vertically can make the cliffs feel like they are looming. Maybe a horizontal composition might help?
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  9. #9
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    Quote Originally Posted by tatadero
    Thank you for the sticky! For the idea of a cramped feeling of the photo, is it the idea that it doesn't feel like a wide open space? I think I see how everything building vertically can make the cliffs feel like they are looming. Maybe a horizontal composition might help?
    Exactly, there is little feeling here of a wide open space. I believe it is from the large rock in mid frame that reaches almost to the frames edge, as well as there being very little sky. I think just opening up the crop abit from sides and top would have let it feel a bit more spacious. As it is, its still a wonderful shot and i like that you brought depth to it it by presenting the flowers as you have in the fg.
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  10. #10
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    Wow! They're all a nice shots.
    I like best the photo of Alberta Falls.

    Keep it up!

  11. #11
    GB1
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    Great shot, though I think I would tone its colors down just a bit. The HDR saved the day for sure. I read Greg's comment and although it would be best at the golden hour I think that's why HDRs are great tools, to save a photo when the lighting is too extreme.

    One thing I do notice is that it seems to have three or four potential subjects and might therefore be even better if the subject was better identified. If it were larger, or perhaps cropped in, we can see the waterfall better.
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  12. #12
    Re Member LeeIs's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    really clean shot. the exposure is good and i think people covered most of what i wanted to say. congrats!
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  13. #13
    D80. 50mm 1.8, 17-55 2.8. SB 600. DLB1973's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    I would love to dip in that waterfall on a nice hot day. Cool shot.
    db

  14. #14
    Senior Member armando_m's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    congrats on the sticky!

    a great shot,

    as mentioned I would have tried to omit the rock on the left

    HDR ? excellent PP !

  15. #15
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
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    Re: Mountain Fireweed

    Cool composition and angle. Congrats on the sticky. I do think the saturation is overboard. If you like the boosted saturation on some things, like the two cliffs on each top side, try a selective saturation, as it is, the sky, grass and foreground look unnatural.

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