Mangroves and Rainbows

[Stagecoach]

Ok, naff title.

Some may remember that I am trying to put together a series of images that depict a current awareness here of our loss of mangroves and their rejuvenation. What I'm attempting is to also add interest to the images in the way of light, time of day or weather.

Here's a grab I managed today;

No 1 - 1/160, f/14, ISO200, 28mm


No 2 - 1/200, f/11, ISO200, 28mm


And I could not resist the passing threat...............

No 3 - 1/125, f/11, ISO 200, 28mm


Comments and suggestions welcome as always

Grahame

[Mike Buckley]

I am trying to put together a series of images that depict a current awareness here of our loss of mangroves and their rejuvenation.

A wonderful project that you're implementing quite successfully. Once you have completed it to your satisfaction, it would be great to see the entire series presented as if displayed in a book or in a slide show.

I prefer the light of the first mangrove image over the second one. Though the rainbow in the second one is something not to be passed up by any photographer including me, my reaction is that it's too much of a cliché.

Gorgeous composition and tonalities in the photo of the threatening storm!

[JohnRostron]

Good luck with the Mangrove project. I look forward to seeing more.

I have to agree that the stormcloud looks stunning.

John

[HaseebM]

The first and last images are very appealing.

[Brownbear]

All lovely! However, the storm cloud is my favourite, simple and stunningly beautiful. A wall hanger for me.

Of the two mangrove images, I'm leaning towards the 2nd for the lighter feel and the beautiful fuller view of the rainbow... Story book dreamy image.

[Shadowman]

Nice series, I like the second image because it centers on your title of the mangroves and rainbow, the first image is a good capture of the surrounding environment. Was it possible to get closer to the mangroves or are they a protected species, it would be interesting to see the root system a closer range?

[Kaye Leggett]

I too like the second image. It works for me as I love the landscape in the portrait format - which is not easy to achieve with such good results. Whilst I normally agree with Mike, I don't think think the rainbow makes this image a cliché........

[KimC]

The 3rd image is gorgeous!

[Stagecoach]

Thanks for commenting Mike,

A wonderful project that you're implementing quite successfully. Once you have completed it to your satisfaction, it would be great to see the entire series presented as if displayed in a book or in a slide show.

It's a project I took on but am finding it quite a challenge to find situations where the subject can be enhanced by it's surroundings rather than just producing a technical record of a mangrove. My aim is to produce six in the series, so far just two I'm happy with.

I prefer the light of the first mangrove image over the second one. Though the rainbow in the second one is something not to be passed up by any photographer including me, my reaction is that it's too much of a cliché.

Fully agree, the portrait shot misses out on the group of shoots to the left that have the good light on them.

Gorgeous composition and tonalities in the photo of the threatening storm!

If I had of taken the 10-20mm with me I would have been able to capture the ends of that cloud with sky showing far left and right

[Stagecoach]

Good luck with the Mangrove project. I look forward to seeing more.

I have to agree that the stormcloud looks stunning.

John

Thanks John, I'll post others as I progress. These clouds just before sundown are often quite spectacular but when they are around you can generally guarantee it's going to be a poor sunset for colours.

[Stagecoach]

The first and last images are very appealing.

Thanks Haseeb.

[FootLoose]

Nice set, Grahame. I particularly like the 3rd shot. Just wondering, though, if a polariser would enhance the rainbow in the first two?

[Stagecoach]

Hi Christina,

All lovely! However, the storm cloud is my favourite, simple and stunningly beautiful. A wall hanger for me.

Thanks and pleased you like them I'm wondering if it's worth using a polariser for these, I think I'll give it a try.

Of the two mangrove images, I'm leaning towards the 2nd for the lighter feel and the beautiful fuller view of the rainbow... Story book dreamy image.

I think it's going to be 50/50

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

John, thanks for commenting,

Nice series, I like the second image because it centers on your title of the mangroves and rainbow, the first image is a good capture of the surrounding environment.

My main intention with these two was to try and capture the surrounding environment so perhaps my title is a bit misleading. No 1 did have a bit more of the rainbow in it but thoughts before cropping were that it put the horizon too central.

Was it possible to get closer to the mangroves or are they a protected species, it would be interesting to see the root system a closer range?

Yes it certainly is possible to get closer and I intend to get some images of the root systems which are often covered in small shell and surrounded by small orange crabs. My vision is to achieve this with the sunrise light colours as the background and use flash for the foreground. I have yet to find a location to do this and one that is free of plastic bags and bottles

I'll get there.

[Stagecoach]

I too like the second image. It works for me as I love the landscape in the portrait format - which is not easy to achieve with such good results. Whilst I normally agree with Mike, I don't think think the rainbow makes this image a cliché........

Thanks for commenting Kaye, and good to hear you prefer No 2. I very rarely undertake a landscape in portrait which I suspect is generally due to me using a tripod whereas this time I was hand holding.

As for 'cliche' I understand where Mike is coming from with respect to the overall purpose of what I am trying to achieve with the series.

[Stagecoach]

The 3rd image is gorgeous!

Well thank you Kim. It's one of those that really stumps me as to what and how far to go in PP.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set Grahame. The second mangrove shot is nice with inclusion of the rainbow. The first is not as compelling IMO. The shot of the raincloud is one of the more successful attempts that I've seen. A subject not easily captured in a way that keeps the feel of the first hand sensation. This one does so pretty darn well. Nice job.

[Stagecoach]

Thanks for commenting Dan,

Nice set Grahame. The second mangrove shot is nice with inclusion of the rainbow. The first is not as compelling IMO.

That one is starting to grow on me as well but I just wish I had framed it differently, I could have reduced the foreground and framed more to the left.

The shot of the raincloud is one of the more successful attempts that I've seen. A subject not easily captured in a way that keeps the feel of the first hand sensation. This one does so pretty darn well. Nice job.

I have tried these before without much success mainly due to the uninteresting lighting and less colour in the sky. Today I found another of it taken yesterday that I had overlooked and spent more time in PP (discovered the HSL tool in ACR) learning to see what I could achieve to interpret what I saw.

[IzzieK]

I have the same question as Greg here...

All these shots are very well done, Grahame. I particularly like #1 for the focusing on your project, the mangrove.
#2 though just another orientation, works well for me too.
#3 is the most beautiful shot of all three.

Though the cloud formation is really good in all three with the cloud, oncoming weather condition and your mangrove project. I like the story all three played in this shoot. Well done.

[Stagecoach]

I have the same question as Greg here...

Hi Izzie, thanks for the kind comments.

I'm assuming the same question refers to the use of a polariser as Greg raised specific to enhancing the rainbow.

I have given this some thought and it's not straightforward. The rainbow colours could possibly be enhanced with a polariser but I suspect this would also have a detrimental affect on the water by diminishing the light reflection on the surface which is wanted with all these shots.

When the weather clears I'm going to go back to the exact same location and take some with and some without the polariser to assess the results on the water.

Grahame