Project 52 by Wendy (ScoutR)

[FrankMi]

Hi Wendy, I am most impressed with your ability to see and capture compelling images. I really need to find the time to review your Project 52 thread from the beginning as there is so much to learn. Of the more recent images, the last one of the Blue Jay is particularly fascinating as the bird's feet are off the ground but it hasn't spread its wings as yet. It is even more thrilling as it is razor sharp - a delight to explore. Thank you for sharing!

[mstrozewski]

I really like the 2011 version better. It doesn't fill the entire frame that the 2010 does. And it has equally leading lines all around it, forcing my eye to view it as a whole (not just a particular area) I also like how the snow is pure white. Makes it look "minimalistic" "abstract" almost kind of "surreal" because I was trying to figure out where the end of the tree was and the single leaf on the ground makes me realize it's in the ground. I love this one! You could do an entire series like that. Would be neat

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Does LR have the CS5/ACR lens correction tab/panel available? If it does, do try ticking the box for an automatic lens profile correction - if this is CA, that simple action may correct it (and any unintentional vignetting, plus barrel/pincushion distortion in one go). Or you may be able to get PT Lens as a plug in for LR or Elements, I think you get 10 goes free or something.

Yes, Lightroom has Lens Correction along with most current lenses - it's in the Develop Module down the very bottom right of the tools menus - oddly enough under the heading of "Lens Corrections"

Not much left for me to add to what the others have said. Great composition as always. I was going to suggest some selective contrast and clarity increases coupled with exposure decrease in your first photo to see if you can bring out more texture amongst the windy and cloud areas as I actually like the brightness of the foreground and I can almost see the wind in the background.

[johnbharle]

can you feel the wind?

I certainly feel the wind in all three. And it makes me glad I live in the southland! Of the three, I liked the first best. The whites seemed "purer." Guess your color temp was cooler? Nice shots. Keep warm!

[Shelly Leduke]

Hi Wendy
I think it's not you, it's the twigs, the 2010 version just has the leaves in a much more balanced position with the bulk of them giving weight to the bottom of the 'structure' then your eye reaches the bare ends from there.
The 'new' version, the leaves seem too spread out & top heavy to me.
I hope that makes sense - if not blame the 42deg C heat down here!
They are both very nice abstract type images & I would be pleased with the results if they were mine..... Especially all the delicious cool snow!
Happy New Year & all the best with your project.
K

I agree with Kay. I think a big difference between the two shots (other than the blown snow - pun intended) is the composition. If the shot was rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the formation of the twigs looks a little like a Chinese language character, even with the leaves running horizontally. While this positioning would make little sense because of the location of the twig anchoring it into the snow, the weight of the composition makes better sense that way - it almost looks like a bride with a long train. Rotated 180 degrees, with this particular twig, might work weight-wise too, except for the pesky snow-anchor problem. Maybe you just need to reshoot, keeping settings similar to the ones you already tried, and try a different composition.