Oak Stick and Leaf

[Nicks Pics]

Looking for photographic subjects yesterday I found an oak stick and an oak leaf. I would be interested to know how you like this type of photo. Neither items were artificially set up, and I processed them for refinement, but the high-key look, if you would call it that, was as of the original photos. Best viewed full size of course.

1


I thought the curve of the leaf stem was particularly attractive, and was looking for a crop that would emphasize it, though I'm not sure I got it.
2


Thanks for looking

[Shadowman]

First shot looks like it's floating on milk. Nice effort.

[IzzieK]

I like the second shot, Nick...very minimal and effective -- at least to my eyes...

[Manfred M]

Two very nice shots, Nick.

They are quite simple, and of course simplification is an important compositional tool. It works very well here. There is just a hint of a shadow in the shots, so that helps anchor the images and gives them a "real" look, although I would have preferred a touch more shadow in both shots.

[Nicks Pics]

Thank you for the replies

John, I din't think of that myself, good imagination

Izzie, I don't try for minimalism, it just sometimes happens with me anyway, I guess I find it attractive in some cases though.

Manfred, thanks, it's a compliment that you liked them. I thought the snow made the items look somewhat like they were in a studio box. I agree more shadows might be nice, not sure how I'd through that in though?

[Manfred M]

I agree more shadows might be nice, not sure how I'd through that in though?

That is usually related to the conditions when you are shooting and time of day. These are not under your control, so watching out for the right shooting conditions is part of the game.

Strong(ish) sunlight = more pronounced shadows, but more diffuse light (overcast) gives you more detail in the subject matter.

A lot of landscape photographers like shooting just after sunrise or just before sunset, as the light tends to be diffuse and the shadows tend to be long, but soft.

Often

[Dave Humphries]

~ I agree more shadows might be nice, not sure how I'd through that in though?

I'm not sure 'how to' either, but I suspect if you have an Image Editor with a Curves adjustment tool, putting a kink in near the white end would stretch the contrast there and achieve what Manfred suggests.

I really like the second one Nick, although I might play with the aspect ratio of the crop a little more.

Cheers, Dave

[Barbara Ponder]

Nick I very much like the second image, especially in lytebox. I think it's simplicity is very appealing.

[Stagecoach]

It's the first one for me Nick, very well spotted.

[Nicks Pics]

Thanks for the response guys. I appreciate hearing how you liked them! Some seem to like the leaf and some seem to like the stick.

Anyway, Dave, I did try a few different crops, but I wasn't able to decide... Maybe I should try a 2x3, though it was shot at 4x3. I used my point and shoot for the leaf and my DSLR for the stick, as it happened.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Nick,

~ Some seem to like the leaf and some seem to like the stick.

For me #1 lacks the 'punch' that (I now know) the P&S gave #2 - on #1; you could try Local Contrast Enhancement (LCE) - or using the Clarity and possibly Vibrance/Saturation sliders if you Image Editor has them.

Additionally - on cropping of #1, if mine (and possible), I'd give a smidgen more space on left and lose say, 10% image height, off the lower edge.

Anyway, Dave, I did try a few different crops, but I wasn't able to decide... Maybe I should try a 2x3, though it was shot at 4x3. I used my point and shoot for the leaf and my DSLR for the stick, as it happened.

I couldn't give any definitive advice either, my only follow up to your comment would be; not to limit yourself to the set ratios - try free-form cropping.

Cheers, Dave

[Nicks Pics]

Here is a re-edit. Thanks for the ideas. I added some local contrast, and increased saturation, as well as a slightly different crop, but for some reason it doesn't seem to look much different from the original. When I added stronger contrast it starts to look too black and white, and rigid. I guess this is a delicate particular photo.

[JohnRostron]

I think I prefer the crop in the first #1, and the other adjustments in the last #1. I still prefer #1 overall.

John