Some kitsch landscapes from Serengeti

[Krawuntzel]

While cleaning up some older folders on the hard disk, I came across these pictures. I ask myself, how could I improve the kitsch?

#1: early morning mist in the Serengeti
F/8, 1/250, ISO 200, 35mm


#2: from the campfire in Katavi
F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 200, 200mm


#3: morning at Lake Ndutu
F/11, 1/500, ISO 200, 70mm


#4: birds go to sleep
F/7.1, 1/320, ISO 200, 105mm


I am going "back there" in June, so I try to remember what I did photographically in the past and how to improve on the next safari.
C&C most welcome.
Erwin

[Ziggy]

Well done. Love the light in the last one.

[Brownbear]

I especially adore the first image for the gorgeous sky, detail, colours/tones and the mist! Beautiful! Followed by #4 for the special scene and light.

I'm not crazy about the artistic rendition of the 3rd image (seeing some halos on the uppermost branches) but I think I'd love the original.

PS #1 is a wall hanger for me.

[John 2]

Nice series Erwin, particularly the second image which is a wall hanger for me.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Erwin I loved #4 it is my best, I also like #2 very much. #1 and #3 are nice too except for the yellow color cast in #1 and blue color cast in #3.

[Shadowman]

While cleaning up some older folders on the hard disk, I came across these pictures. I ask myself, how could I improve the kitsch?

I am going "back there" in June, so I try to remember what I did photographically in the past and how to improve on the next safari.
C&C most welcome.
Erwin

Improve or differentiate? To "improve on the kitsch" as you say would mean you probably want to go HDR.

Nice series.

[Geoff F]

The first image looks a lot better at full screen size where the fine detail is more apparent.

I wonder about a little crop from the top and right side of #2?

#3 seems a little harsh in saturation and possibly a bit over sharpened, particularly the water which doesn't quite look natural to me. I also wonder about a crop from the bottom and right side? I'm not really sure what to do with it.

#4 is fine, although the highlights are possibly a bit bright on the birds.

[Kris V]

#4 would be my wall hanger.

[Barbara Ponder]

Erwin I like them all but it is definitely #1 for me!

[Krawuntzel]

Thank you all for having a look, commenting and suggestions. I certainly overdid processing in #3 and #4. I will re-process both. As to #1 (Binnur's remark): I remember the scene as yellow as it is - and to John: I might have posed my question not precise enough; I do not think to go into HDR, just improving the next takes.
Thanks
Erwin

[Rebel]

These are lovely images Erwin, #2 is my favourite.

[IzzieK]

Though overprocessed, my favourite is #3 because the place seems quiet and somewhere I can spend time looking. I do not like that big twig at the center of the image, but it is OK...can be removed though...

[Stagecoach]

It's No 1 that stands out from this set Erwin, but No 4 coming pretty close.

[Shadowman]

Thank you all for having a look, commenting and suggestions. I certainly overdid processing in #3 and #4. I will re-process both. As to #1 (Binnur's remark): I remember the scene as yellow as it is - and to John: I might have posed my question not precise enough; I do not think to go into HDR, just improving the next takes.
Thanks
Erwin

Erwin,

It was your use of the words " improve the kitsch" that made me assume you wanted to create a more dynamic look.

[JohnRostron]

Am I alone in finding #2 the best. It just has that atmosphere for me. The others are fine though.

According to my WordWeb dictionary kitsch (adj) means "tawdry or vulgar". These are anything but.

John

[Krawuntzel]

According to my WordWeb dictionary kitsch (adj) means "tawdry or vulgar". These are anything but.John

Hi John, I borrowed the following definition from wikipedia:
"Kitsch (/ˈkɪtʃ/; loanword from German) is a low-brow style of mass-produced art or design using popular or cultural icons. Kitsch generally includes unsubstantial or gaudy works or decoration, or works that are calculated to have popular appeal. It can also be applied to music.
The concept of kitsch is applied to artwork that was a response to the 19th-century art with aesthetics that convey exaggerated sentimentality and melodrama. Hence, kitsch art is closely associated with sentimental art."

I used this definition, because I think I exaggerated quite a bit in this direction.

Matt, Izzie, Grahame, John (shadowman) thank you for commenting.
And here is a less "overdone" version of the storks/marabus; #4 revisited:


Erwin

[Kris V]

Hi John, I borrowed the following definition from wikipedia:
"Kitsch (/ˈkɪtʃ/; loanword from German) is a low-brow style of mass-produced art or design using popular or cultural icons. Kitsch generally includes unsubstantial or gaudy works or decoration, or works that are calculated to have popular appeal. It can also be applied to music.
The concept of kitsch is applied to artwork that was a response to the 19th-century art with aesthetics that convey exaggerated sentimentality and melodrama. Hence, kitsch art is closely associated with sentimental art."

I used this definition, because I think I exaggerated quite a bit in this direction.

Matt, Izzie, Grahame, John (shadowman) thank you for commenting.
And here is a less "overdone" version of the storks/marabus; #4 revisited:


Erwin

Yep - now it's really a wall hanger!

[Wavelength]

Really nice; i liked the sober colors in these images

[Tom47]

The last picture is great with the glow of the light a great capture.