Glendalough Valley, County Wicklow

[Ndukes]

Even a dull grey day has its own charm.

On high ground.

Nikon Df with Tamron 28-300 at 28mm. 1/80 at f11, iso 100, cropped

Upper end of Upper Lake.

Nikon Df with Tamron 28-300 at 35mm. 1/125 at f16, iso 1600


Nikon Df with Tamron 28-300 at 28mm. 1/30 at f16, iso 1600

[John 2]

Nice series Neville. I bet the areas depicted in 2 and 3 will be a riot of colour in a few weeks time. Not much in terms of deciduous trees but I guess the bracken and the heather will make up for that.

[Ziggy]

Beautiful location and well taken. The first one stands out to me.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice compositions Neville IMO they all might be improved with some more PP.

[purplehaze]

I agree with Binnur, Neville. I think you could enhance the sense of depth in #s 1 and 3, and perhaps play with the texture and colour contrast in #2.

[Geoff F]

Grey day photos look fine when when you have this much variation in the shades of grey.

[Ndukes]

Many thanks guys for your input.
Janis and Binnur, you are of course right. These are my first passes on these images and, as I am never satisfied, they will be re-visited. It is so good to have honest and constructive feedback. It's a thin line though. The day was low key and I have to find that compromise between what I saw and liked at the time and, on the other hand, a pleasing image.
Geoff you are right. Dull dark days present the landscape in a very limited colour space with no dramatic contrasts. I suppose the real skill is using the limited content while resisting the temptation to use pp to create drama where it really has no place.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[IzzieK]

I like the drama of #1, the greens of #2 and the reflection of the hill (mountain?) on #3...my favourite here is #2...

[Ndukes]

Thank you John and Izzie. Binnur and Janis would like to see some pp fine tuning so this is the result. I think they are a lot better. I probably have been rushing my processing lately as I have been more active with camera than usual.


Nikon Df with Tamron 28-300 at 28mm. 1/80 at f11, iso 100, cropped


Nikon Df with Tamron 28-300 at 35mm. 1/125 at f16, iso 1600


Nikon Df with Tamron 28-300 at 28mm. 1/30 at f16, iso 1600

[purplehaze]

Nice job with #s 1 & 2, Neville; you have brought out some delicious new detail without overdoing anything. The change to #3 is so radical as to make it unrecognizable, though; you might want to look again.

[bnnrcn]

I loved the edits Neville, much better

[Ndukes]

Nice job with #s 1 & 2, Neville; you have brought out some delicious new detail without overdoing anything. The change to #3 is so radical as to make it unrecognizable, though; you might want to look again.

Yes I have probably overdone it with no. 3. I'll probably go back to the RAW file and start again. That's what usually works best.

Many thanks for your input and thank you Binnur also.

[ST1]

Hi Neville, your edits have certainly improved the series as first posted, I think it pays when looking (first pass) reviewing images to skip those that don't immediately make you think that's a keeper. However don't press delete on the one you've skipped over (quite a lot in my case).
Going back over those you passed on previously sometimes exposes a jewel worth polishing a bit.
Well done for seeing the potential in this series and for giving them that little polish.

[IzzieK]

I agree with the further comments that the edits are better...so much better...

[dje]

Lovely shots Neville, particularly after your latest edits.

Dave

[Ndukes]

Thanks guys. This is what I regard as my best foot forward on no.3.


Nikon Df with Tamron 28-300 at 28mm. 1/30 at f16, iso 1600

[Rob Ekins]

What are you using for post Neville?
A lot of people are raving about the de-haze function in PhotoShop CC for this kind of image, used judiciously it may give you some pop that you are after without over doing it.

Nice series none the less... I am also enjoying the fond memories of time spent in the area as a kid

[purplehaze]

So sorry if I sent you back to work on number #3 needlessly, Neville. CiC may have been playing tricks on me and no one else, as the image I was seeing was of a different subject entirely (indoor shot of some black thingy on a desk). Things seem to have sorted themselves out now, and fwiw, I do like your final version best.

[Ndukes]

No Janis, I sent me back to work on no 3 as it just wasn't right. I think it is right now. But many thanks for your most helpful input.