February Blizzard . . . CC Welcome

[Kathy O]

This is a photo of a tree in our backyard during a blizzard that is taking place as I write this. Any thoughts on how to make this a better photo or is it okay the way it is? I do realize it is not an exciting photo just trying to practice some skills. Constructive advice welcome.

[Geoff F]

I think I would try slightly increasing the contrast, particularly the shadows.

[Donald]

I take Geoff's point, but wonder if Local Contrast Enhancement (LCE), rather than a global contrast enhancement would work. Not sure what software you are using Kathy. If you have the Google NIK suite of tools, you can use 'Structure'. That's the same effect as LCE. The aim is to give the image just a bit more 'pop'. I don't think this image needs a lot because it invites a low contrast approach. However, I think LCE/Structure would just lift the trees out from the background a bit. But it needs to be applied in a subtle way.

I think it's a strong composition.

[Kathy O]

I take Geoff's point, but wonder if Local Contrast Enhancement (LCE), rather than a global contrast enhancement would work. Not surdfe what software you are using Kathy. If you have the Google NIK suite of tools, you can use 'Structure'. That's the same effect as LCE. The aim is to give the image just a bit more 'pop'. I don't think this image needs a lot because it invites a low contrast approach. However, I think LCE/Structure would just lift the trees out from the background a bit. But it needs to be applied in a subtle way.

I think it's a strong composition.

Donald and Geoff,

I was kind of thinking the same thing and had done an edit where I thought the tree popped a little more but thought maybe it didn't work. Here is that edit. Let me know what you think. I use Lightroom 5 as my editing software. Thank you for your input.

[Donald]

I think they are two good images and, at the end of the day, it's going to come down to personal preference. However, I do think that the version with more contrast is more attention-grabbing. If you were walking along a wall of prints in a gallery, that's the one, I think, that would make you stop more than the original post above.

[Manfred M]

Great shot, Kathy. I think you nailed the balance between the falling / blowing snow and the details in the tree.

It looks monochrome, even though it isn't.

[Mike Buckley]

Both are good for me but the second one works especially well for me. Excellent!

[marlunn]

Very nice Kathy, I really like the 2nd a lot, feeling cold now

[skitterbug]

Kathy - I really like your pic! The second one especially after the adjustment. It looks like it needs a frame and then be placed on the living room wall!

[Shadowman]

Best place to be (at home) during a blizzard. Nice image.

[Kathy O]

Thank you everyone for your advice and your thoughts, it really helps me see things differently when I get the input of others -- helps me grow as a photographer (or whatever you want to call me, I have a hard time referring to myself as a photographer).

[Donald]

(or whatever you want to call me, I have a hard time referring to myself as a photographer).

I know what you mean, but part of the learning and improving is to tell yourself and others that you are a photographer. And ... snappers don't produce images like this. You have created something, not just snapped a photo. You ARE a photographer.

[Manfred M]

Kathy - something to think about trying is to set up on a tripod, use a slow shutter speed and a remote release. I'm going to post a couple of examples that you will have to view in an enlarged view in Lightbox to see the effect.

This can result in streaks of snow, which can sometimes be quite effective.




The other effect that can be quite effective is blowing snow. Here I pre-focus and have the camera on a tripod. When the wind gusts toss up the snow, I take several shots to capture the blowing effect.

[Mike Buckley]

The next time you feel resistant to call yourself a photographer, review this photo. Surely the words, "I'm a photographer," will roll off the tip of your tongue with the greatest of ease.

[Kathy O]

Kathy - something to think about trying is to set up on a tripod, use a slow shutter speed and a remote release. I'm going to post a couple of examples that you will have to view in an enlarged view in Lightbox to see the effect.

This can result in streaks of snow, which can sometimes be quite effective.




The other effect that can be quite effective is blowing snow. Here I pre-focus and have the camera on a tripod. When the wind gusts toss up the snow, I take several shots to capture the blowing effect.

Manfred,

Your photos are beautiful!! I usually do set up on a tripod and shoot with the mirror up and a timer but today the snow and the wind were blowing really hard so I shot this photo from inside with the door open just enough for my camera. The conditions here are horrible right now. I know it is kind of hard to tell from the photo. Thank you so much for your input -- it is so appreciated!

Your photos do not look like they were shot with a slow shutter speed, can you share with me your settings on these photos?

Kathy

[rpcrowe]

How about this effect?

[Manfred M]

The blowing snow was at 1/25 at f/13 at 28mm focal length on a full-frame camera. The falling snow was a touch faster shutter speed, as I tend to bracket these shots to see which streak length looks best, so the camera was on the tripod for the slower speed shots.

I use a tripod more to ensure a tack sharp image, even at slightly higher shutter speeds. The D800 can be a bit unforgiving when people pixel peep; these images were made into decent sized prints.

For landscapes, I tend to use a tripod even at speeds I might normally handhold. I find a shake ever so slightly more when I'm out in the freezing cold, that when I'm warm

[Kathy O]

How about this effect?

I do like your edit also, what did you do to achieve this look?

Kathy

[jcuknz]

Kathy O ... your first shot reminds me of one of my shots taken in a snow storm whereas subsequent prettying up versions which satisfy photographer's thoughts of how a photograph should look completely miss/ loose the atmosphere of the first.

EDIT ... I find putting a curves adjustment layer on a photo quite revealing and yours is bunched up to the right half not quite reaching the far right. Bringing in the highlight point to above where the information ends and the bottom in to where it starts produces results as others produced. So I started to move the bottom to the left and when it was in the first quarter it looked a bit more contrasty but without loosing much of the atmosphere. My tuppence worth

[FlyingSquirrel]

Nice image. Not to rock the boat, but I prefer the original one, with less contrast. I feel that people often over-process these type of shots (along with fog shots, etc) and it loses the atmosphere.