Fog, Low Contrast & Grainy

[Donald]

Arngask Trees in Fog #1.


Out not so early with the dog this morning (well, the clocks did go forward by one hour. We're now in British Summer Time). But it was just as dawn was breaking.

Beautiful morning for the B & W photographer who loves the low contrast landscapes created by fog.

I did push this quite a bit (in fact, used the Push Process preset on Silver Efex Pro 2 as the starting point fro the B & W conversion).

Thoughts always welcome.

[IMG][/IMG]

[deetheturk]

Really nice Donald,very atmospheric!

David

[Shadowman]

I think the tree behind the larger one creates an out-of-focus effect. Perhaps if you could exclude the foreground tree from your processing technique. Nice image.

[Donald]

Thanks, David.

The fog was that horrible wet stuff that soaks you before you realise it (remember those days?). Had to put the rain protector over the camera. I love the silence that fog seems to bring. Just me and the dog out there at that time in the morning. Wonderful.

Thanks, John. That was one of the subject areas I wondered if folks on here would comment about. I was having mixed feelings about it during processing.

[Mike Buckley]

Fabulous! However, it needs to be viewed in the larger version. In the smaller version, the bright streaks on the left side in the background look like artifacts caused by post-processing.

Am I correct that the Push Process preset emulates the effect of shooting and processing film at a higher ASA (predecessor of ISO) than the film was rated?

[John 2]

This is a lovely delicate composition Donald. The only suggestion that comes to mind is a slight vignette to the sky area. It just draws a bit.

[Donald]

Am I correct that the Push Process preset emulates the effect of shooting and processing film at a higher ASA (predecessor of ISO) than the film was rated?

Thanks for the comment Mike. Yes, that is my understanding, hence the graininess (noise) being brought out.

[Donald]

This is a lovely delicate composition Donald. The only suggestion that comes to mind is a slight vignette to the sky area. It just draws a bit.

John - There is. I've obviously made it too subtle. I think the strength of the vignette is set to something like 12 (Silver Efex Pro 2 vignette strength setting).

[John 2]

Either that Donald or it's my monitor. It only needs to be subtle. See what others say.

[Gigi71]

Lovely image, it transports how peaceful the world in fog is, even the noise is dimmed then. A break of this loud and busy world

[IzzieK]

I think the tree behind the larger one creates an out-of-focus effect. Perhaps if you could exclude the foreground tree from your processing technique. Nice image.

You mean the tree from the left? Wouldn't that be hard to remove? It is too close to the main subject...overall it is a beautiful and artistic shot.

[Donald]

You mean the tree from the left? Wouldn't that be hard to remove? It is too close to the main subject...overall it is a beautiful and artistic shot.

Isabel

I think what John meant was to remove the effect of the post-processing I applied, rather than clone out the tree itself. I don't think I'd have the skill to do that!

Thank you for your comment. I'm now working on the other one that I got from this morning, which I thought was going to be the better image. Now, I'm not so sure!

[Kris V]

Donald, this is really a gorgeous photo.
I love pictures taken in the fog. Too bad we really don't have all that many foggy days here, and when we do, it burns off quickly.
A whole foggy morning? Can't remember he last time I saw one.

[kdoc856]

Love the shot. I am perfectly fine with the lack of sharp interior focus, as it's the "gestalt" of the tree rather than its particulars that generates the mood and message. I am in a "vignette" phase right now (my current phases often become the source of later cringing), and would like to see a heavier vignette as well. Trees in fog is one of my favorite photographic topics, and I find this very appealing.

[Shadowman]

You mean the tree from the left? Wouldn't that be hard to remove? It is too close to the main subject...overall it is a beautiful and artistic shot.

Hi Isabel,

Suggesting a degree of separation, not elimination.

[Donald]

A whole foggy morning? Can't remember he last time I saw one.

Thanks for your comments, Chris

As I write, it's now 8 hours later, mid-afternoon and the fog is still just as dense. It's not going anywhere fast today! Think I might go out with the camera.

[Mike Buckley]

If it were mine, I wouldn't change a thing.

[Otavio]

Very nice atmosphere created, Donald! It reminds me of Wuthering heights (I almost can see Cathy and Heathcliff below the big tree!). Very well done. Cheers,

[Quentin88]

Dear Sir Donald MacKenzie, your picture is amazing, as always, I can feel the humidity on my cloths and my skin and the tree seems almost breathing... is almost as everything that pass throgh your eyes morph into pure poetry. It have truly to be beatifull to see the world as Donald MacKenzie.

[Donald]

It have truly to be beatifull to see the world as Donald MacKenzie.

Thank you, Pellegrino. I consider that to be one of the greatest compliments that I have ever received about my photography. You honour me.

Otavio - I have walked up and down alongside these trees many times to shoot them from various angles. I don't, however, think my running across the fields quite matches the emotions induced in many people by imagining Heathcliff doing the same thing. However, I'm sure I have other attributes!