Mountain Stream & Views

[Stagecoach]

I could not resist another exploratory trip along my new found route into the highlands of the island in search of potential shots but unfortunately the rain up high thwarted things somewhat.

Here's a few of the ones I achieved, again taken with the old 28-105D of which I think I have finally convinced myself that although pixel peeping of boring pictures of test charts reveals edge sharpness is questionable in the real world for what I want to do it's totally insignificant.

No 1 - 2.5s, f/22, 40mm


No 2 - 5s, f/22, 75mm


These were taken using the polariser adjusted for minimal reflection as Dan suggested along with an ND filter to achieve the longest exposures possible.

I find the cobwebs rather surprising in this environment and location, easily seen in No 2. The only PP on these two black and white point and a revised sharpening procedure of amount 85%, rad 1.0px, Threshold 4 and a reduced output sharpen 30% @ 0.3px


No 3 - 1/6s, f/22, 31mm


No 4 - 1/3s, f/22, 98mm


Low cloud and mist were around with the occasional break and these were shot as experiments to see what could be done in PP but also as potential locations for pre sunrise shots if I feel brave enough to tackle this route in the dark.


Comments and suggestions welcome as always.

Grahame

[Marie Hass]

Lovely, Grahame! While I like all of the images, my choices are 1 and 3. I like the compositions of both, and the colors.

'Rie

[dje]

The first one is the standout for me Grahame, very nice. I wonder how it would have looked with the camera angled up a bit to get some more of the trees and other greenery (but without losing the rocks).

Dave

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

All beautifully photographed. However, my favourite by far is #3 for the composition, and beautiful colours and the overall scene. Gorgeous!

[FootLoose]

I like the first shot, Grahame. It has more layers of interest as viewer's eye travels from foreground to background.

[Stagecoach]

Lovely, Grahame! While I like all of the images, my choices are 1 and 3. I like the compositions of both, and the colors.

'Rie

Hi Marie,

Thanks, I have to agree with you re the compositions. The colours especially in the first two I suspect are helped by the overcast sky and diffused light along with the polariser but do look pretty true to the scene.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

The first one is the standout for me Grahame, very nice. I wonder how it would have looked with the camera angled up a bit to get some more of the trees and other greenery (but without losing the rocks).

Dave

Dave, I'm coming to the conclusion that the UWA may be an advantage with some of these so as to include more background whilst retaining the prominence of the foreground so some more experimentation is on the cards. It's a type of scene new to me which I'm finding fun exploring.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame,

All beautifully photographed. However, my favourite by far is #3 for the composition, and beautiful colours and the overall scene. Gorgeous!

Hi Christina,

This is very typical of the mountain scenery here, just about all covered in dense forest and of course that mist and haze we have to fight against. No 3 I have a suspicion has real potential for the very early morning light when the sun will be coming directly from the left and should enhance the contours, if not covered in cloud.

For info the island in the far distance is the one so often included within my seascapes and early morning may separate this better.

Grahame

[csa mt]

Grahame, it's very difficult for me to choose a favorite between #1 and #2! They are both absolutely stunning!

[Stagecoach]

I like the first shot, Grahame. It has more layers of interest as viewer's eye travels from foreground to background.

Agree about the layers in No 3 Greg, I was first concerned about the old branches at the top but in a way they help to show natures natural untidiness of the scene.

[Nicks Pics]

Really enjoyable mountain scene- especially #3.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame, it's very difficult for me to choose a favorite between #1 and #2! They are both absolutely stunning!

Hi Carol, thank you for the kind words. I also find it difficult choosing a favourite between those two, they each have their interest just being different views of the same scene.

[John 2]

Hi Graham, what is so nice about 1 and 2 is the way the wet rocks have been rendered by the subdued light. Four nice shots.

[Stagecoach]

Really enjoyable mountain scene- especially #3.

Thanks Nick, it's beautiful up at the height these were shot at just seeing tree covered mountains/hills right down to the coast.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Graham, what is so nice about 1 and 2 is the way the wet rocks have been rendered by the subdued light. Four nice shots.

Hi John, thanks for commenting.

I'm now almost totally converted to realising that cloud and it's diffused light is the photographers friend when water and wet surfaces are involved during the daytime, that's as long as you have a tripod with you.

[IzzieK]

Yep! a tripod with a pair and half of wellies... I love #1 and #2 -- great seeing those lichens really makes the shot for me and of course the rocks looks like I can touch them from here. Very nice...in both shots the spider webs are visible too...interesting.

[Stagecoach]

Yep! a tripod with a pair and half of wellies... I love #1 and #2 -- great seeing those lichens really makes the shot for me and of course the rocks looks like I can touch them from here. Very nice...in both shots the spider webs are visible too...interesting.

Hi Izzie,

Access to the spot was quite interesting in that the stream that I had to cross had some fairly deep areas and with slippery rocks I was getting a bit concerned so instead of wellies for the tripod I'm going to get a waterproof container for the camera in case I go for a swim.

I'm not sure why the spiders would want to hang out in that wet area unless they are fish eating ones

Grahame

It wasn't the tripod I was worried about but the camera on the end of it so next time a waterproof container for the camera in case I slip

[vaez]

I like the first shot Lovely and 2and 3 Grahame! While I like all of the images compositions are very good you are well work pp

[Brownbear]

It's a beautiful tropical vista... Paradise, and one worth exploring and the challenge of bugs and mud. Hopefully it is the dry season. I can see the early morning scene, beautifully!

Hi Christina,

This is very typical of the mountain scenery here, just about all covered in dense forest and of course that mist and haze we have to fight against. No 3 I have a suspicion has real potential for the very early morning light when the sun will be coming directly from the left and should enhance the contours, if not covered in cloud.

For info the island in the far distance is the one so often included within my seascapes and early morning may separate this better.

Grahame

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set, Grahame. Looks like you've found a new aspect of the island to explore. Streams like this one offer a good opportunity to try various compositions and technical changes. The polarizer will make the most difference in bringing out colors that might otherwise be hidden by reflection. Moss on rocks and colorful rocks beneath the water are two things that are often obscured by reflected light. Green foliage also benefits in general and particularly when it's wet. Personally I hate the hassle of dealing with filters but a CPL used in the right conditions can make a huge difference.