Autumn - understated

[Ndukes]

Not the usual flourish of warm colours but rather the gentle softness of late Autumn in a quiet corner of the campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA). I always feel there is something really peaceful and dignified about late Autumn as it gives way to Winter.


Made with an Olympus Stylus 1, my new 'pocket' camera for when I walk the dog.

[Shadowman]

Very nice capture of autumn colors.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice composition and colors I think the image is a bit oversharpened.

[Geoff F]

That might just be the angle of light on the leaves which is giving a slightly over sharpened appearance on the highlights. The reeds seem OK when viewed at full screen size.

[Ndukes]

Many thanks folks for comments. You are right about the leaves on that tree, Geoff. In late afternoon hazy sunlight they have a kind of 'on/off' reflection.

[Texas Dave]

Nicely done!

[rpcrowe]

Often when shooting foliage, a CPL filter will give deeper saturation to the colors of the foliage by reducing the reflections off the leaves. If the angle of the sun were correct, the sky would be darkened and the clouds accentuated also...

[IzzieK]

Moving this one on Lytebox is interesting...without the trees, the reed with the reflection on the water is one interesting shot that can hold on its own...just a thought...

[Ndukes]

Another two with Autumn colours from the University of East Anglia campus. This time with the impressive buildings behind trees, all reflected in the lake. You will note, Izzie, the 'Lytebox' effect. Both were in fact separate exposures from the same perspective and I believe it illustrates your point about searching within the larger vista for the tighter composition.





Made with an Olympus Stylus 1

[wilgk]

I have enjoyed all 3 images, yes for the lovely autumn colours, but more I think for your compositions.
The first in particular with the angle of the stream on that side of the frame, really interesting.
Looking forward to seeing more!

[ajohnw]

Nice shots. Good to see some from the Stylus 1, an interesting camera. One of the larger sensor bridge type cameras.

Did these come from camera jpg's or from raw? I'm curious because of the comments about sharpening. I've looked at a number of un retouched shots from a review site including raw files.

John
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[Mike Buckley]

I especially like the last one for its juxtaposition of autumn colors amid an urban scene and the way the trees and their reflections fill the frame.

[kdoc856]

Very nice shots. As Richard suggested, I add the strongest possible recommendation for using a CPL filter - the colors are much better without so much reflective light popping off the leaves.

I think your sharpening is fine- viewed at full size of course. Compression artifact usually makes those little leaves (rocks, too) look really crunchy. It will print just fine at a smaller size, but if I'm sharing an image for the screen, I add NO output sharpening, and include a little note begging the viewer to look at it at full size in lightbox.

[Brownbear]

All especially beautiful! I especially adore the colours. I can't help but say that I also adore the 2nd image cropped as a panorama featuring just the buildings/trees and reflections.

[Ndukes]

Nice shots. Good to see some from the Stylus 1, an interesting camera. One of the larger sensor bridge type cameras.

Did these come from camera jpg's or from raw? I'm curious because of the comments about sharpening. I've looked at a number of un retouched shots from a review site including raw files.

John
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Many thanks John. Yes the Stylus 1 is an interesting camera. I recently simplified my gear by adopting the Nikon Df as my principal 'weapon' and have concentrated on developing a workflow exclusively shooting in raw. I'm using CS6 with the up-to-date ACR version which is much more useable for capture sharpening and noise control than 2 or 3 versions ago. I'm really pleased with the results and, as the Stylus 1 is essentially just for photos I stumble upon (mainly when walking the dog) I have concentrated on developing the same workflow once again using exclusively raw capture. For what it's worth the ACR sharpening settings I have set up as default for the Stylus 1 are Amount = 75, Radius =0.8, Detail = 10, Masking = 10. My default Noise settings are 10 for both Luminance and Colour with Luminance and Colour Detail defaulting to 50 and Lum. Contrast set at 50. These defaults seem to be right 90% of the time at base ISO which is where I hope to be mostly with this camera. All three images were processed at these defaults with just very minor additional sharpening (Smart Sharpen) in CS6.
Of course many will be very quick to point out that every image file is different in its content as regards subject detail, saturation and contrast not to mention its intended use and that use of 'default' settings is futile. My philosophy is to work at finding valid default settings for base ISO and adjust from there as required. Works for me.
Hope this is helpful.

[Ndukes]

Many thanks folks for your comments.
As regards CPL filters, Kevin, I have these for the main lenses for my Df and they get used from time to time. Sadly though the Stylus 1 has no facility for mounting filters. This will restrict some users but I suppose it's a reasonable compromise for such a versatile compact camera. The lens is a slightly larger than normal protractible point and shoot type lens.

[ajohnw]

Many thanks John. Yes the Stylus 1 is an interesting camera. I recently simplified my gear by adopting the Nikon Df as my principal 'weapon' and have concentrated on developing a workflow exclusively shooting in raw. I'm using CS6 with the up-to-date ACR version which is much more useable for capture sharpening and noise control than 2 or 3 versions ago. I'm really pleased with the results and, as the Stylus 1 is essentially just for photos I stumble upon (mainly when walking the dog) I have concentrated on developing the same workflow once again using exclusively raw capture. For what it's worth the ACR sharpening settings I have set up as default for the Stylus 1 are Amount = 75, Radius =0.8, Detail = 10, Masking = 10. My default Noise settings are 10 for both Luminance and Colour with Luminance and Colour Detail defaulting to 50 and Lum. Contrast set at 50. These defaults seem to be right 90% of the time at base ISO which is where I hope to be mostly with this camera. All three images were processed at these defaults with just very minor additional sharpening (Smart Sharpen) in CS6.
Of course many will be very quick to point out that every image file is different in its content as regards subject detail, saturation and contrast not to mention its intended use and that use of 'default' settings is futile. My philosophy is to work at finding valid default settings for base ISO and adjust from there as required. Works for me.
Hope this is helpful.

Thanks Neville. I have been thinking about buying one for the same sort of use. I see nothing wrong with a work flow with a certain number of default settings. It can save a lot of time.

I did do some sample raw files from the camera. The only odd one was a telephoto shot. Very flat but fixed by using a tone mapping set up that essentially just boosts mid tone level contrast gradually falling off to the extremes of the range. I suspect it was down to mist rather than the camera. The jpg out of the camera was similar.

I wondered if the shots were camera jpg's because in camera jpg processing is getting more sophisticated and if Fourier style methods are added to sharpening it might explain the result. Not so sure about reflected light off leaves argument myself. Olympus seem to be very keen on producing great jpg's. Not surprising really as this is what the vast majority of people want. The processing in 12mp Pen's was excellent providing people were prepared to make some adjustments. They have moved on since then.

John
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[bnnrcn]

#3 is really a nice composition.If it was mine, I would crop it from the top and leave only 1/3 of the upper half part. IMO that would give a nice composition with only trees and reflections too.

[IzzieK]

I am missing autumn now, Neville...where did it go?

[Ndukes]

I am missing autumn now, Neville...where did it go?

I missed much of it too, Izzie, largely grounded due to influenza. But nearly recovered and looking forward to getting out into Winter with my Df and some favourite lenses. Autumn in Ireland as far as I could see was a bit of a weak affair this year but I know some places where bare trees and a blanket of fallen leaves gives one the context to work the landscape. I'm putting pressure on myself now - let's see how I do when I get out there.