Vermont Mountains

[Kyle]

Here are two photos I took while hiking up a mountain in Vermont this past weekend. The weather was perfect and the view was spectacular.
All C&C welcome.

[dje]

Hi Kyle

A couple of comments for you to think about.

With the first shot, you have a fairly shallow DOF (from the EXIF data, aperture 1/4.5, focal length 18mm and focus distance fairly close). This may have been intentional but in my opinion, there is not enough interest in the flag to warrant giving it the main focus. I probably would have used a shallower DOF so as not to blur the mountains. If it were a person in centre of shot, I would have gone for shallow DOF. Just my opinion of course.

The DOF in the second shot is fine. The thing that strikes me with this image is that it looks a bit washed out and hazy. You could improve this significantly in pp by adjusting the mid-tone slider in a Levels adjustment and also adding some Local Contrast Enhancement (eg with Unsharp Mask about 30% and pixel radius of say 300). You might also consider pushing the colour saturation up a bit.

Dave

PS Looks like a nice place to hike.

[Shadowman]

Were you trying to capture the flag in full sail?

[Kyle]

With the first shot, you have a fairly shallow DOF (from the EXIF data, aperture 1/4.5, focal length 18mm and focus distance fairly close). This may have been intentional but in my opinion, there is not enough interest in the flag to warrant giving it the main focus. I probably would have used a shallower DOF so as not to blur the mountains. If it were a person in centre of shot, I would have gone for shallow DOF. Just my opinion of course.

I had intended to give focus to the flag but I still wanted a clear background. I thought that I had taken a few shots with a higher aperture but I guess I forgot to change it. Unfortunately I did not notice until I got home. I tried to clean up the background a bit in pp but I don't think it turned out as well as it could have.

The DOF in the second shot is fine. The thing that strikes me with this image is that it looks a bit washed out and hazy. You could improve this significantly in pp by adjusting the mid-tone slider in a Levels adjustment and also adding some Local Contrast Enhancement (eg with Unsharp Mask about 30% and pixel radius of say 300). You might also consider pushing the colour saturation up a bit.

Thanks for the tips, I'll keep working on it in pp. The photo started out a little dark and I may have made it look more washed out when trying to lighten it a bit.

Were you trying to capture the flag in full sail?

I was really just experimenting, hoping I could get an interesting show. Maybe with it at full sail or somewhere that shows it in motion. I couldn't see the shot very well before I took it so I set it up as best I could and just hoped it worked.

[deetheturk]

Well done Kyle,nice images!

[jamn4ex]

Vermont is beautiful. Love to see more, the vantage point of the 2nd pic looks like it has more shots to offer. Like each season, dusk or dawn. If its not to hard a hike.

[Kyle]

Vermont is beautiful. Love to see more, the vantage point of the 2nd pic looks like it has more shots to offer. Like each season, dusk or dawn. If its not to hard a hike.

The hike wasn't too hard, the only problem is I was only there for 2 nights so I was very time limited. I'll keep working on the shots I got to see if I can make any work.

[Wavelength]

I like the second image very well

[Kyle]

After taking some time to edit the second image, I think I have come out with a photo that is much better.

Here is the new image:



Here is a wide crop of it:


This one I tried to clone out the branches that were getting in the way of the shot. I'm not sure if I went overboard and changed it too much though.

[dje]

It's a definite improvement I think Kyle, particularly the last version with some of those foreground branches removed. The image has better contrast and the sky has much nicer colours.

Dave

[flashback]

Anywhere near Quechee Gorge?

[Kyle]

It was near Pittsfield. I'm not sure where the Quechee Gorge is.

Thanks for the feedback, Dave. I appreciate it. I may crop the edited version to match the wide crop of the other picture. I think the wide format suits the photo.

[bnnrcn]

PP worked well Kyle,I like the last one

[kdoc856]

Huge improvement, well done.