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LX1 goes to the Rockies (7 pix, dialup warning)

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ejmartin

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I am still on the learning curve with the LX1 (still trying to learn the sweet spot of the lens and what I can get away with in exposure) and Silkypix (default settings are too contrasty for my taste). Anyway I got a chance to see what it could do with the scenery on a trip to the Rockies (most of these are from Rocky Mountain NP). Would appreciate feedback on what could use improvement; I have a lot to learn about landscape photography















--
emil
--



http://theory.uchicago.edu/~ejm/pix/20d/
 
You say you have a lot to learn about landscape photography - well you've already learnt one of the hardest lessons: undeserved modesty! These are great.

The 'distant mountains filling frame' shots involve me less than those with some scale contrast and perspective to draw you in. It's a flat arrangement that relies on scenery alone, though these are nicely composed. "Oh, a nice mountain" is the most reaction you can ask for, unless particularly dramatic lighting, cloud shadows or whatever were to add an element of surprise.

The two with foreground rocks place the viewer "in" the scene better, for me. They are more suggestive, the portrait one more so though the landscape one is beautiful technically.

The last image with the road is really intriguing, and the power of the landscape is not at all diminished by manmade elements, evidence of clearcut etc - maybe that's the draw. It's always more impressive when you can't quite tell why an image is so striking - this one doesn't give up its secrets quickly. It's apparently a straightforward composition, but "off" in an interesting way - like a joke told straightfaced.

RP
 
richardplondon said:
You say you have a lot to learn about landscape photography - well
you've already learnt one of the hardest lessons: undeserved
modesty! These are great.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Certainly the material to work with helps. I am trying
to learn what works and what doesn't, so your detailed response
below is much appreciated. I suppose when I've got as many
landscapes as birds under my belt I'll feel more confident!
richardplondon said:
The 'distant mountains filling frame' shots involve me less than
those with some scale contrast and perspective to draw you in. It's
a flat arrangement that relies on scenery alone, though these are
nicely composed. "Oh, a nice mountain" is the most reaction you can
ask for, unless particularly dramatic lighting, cloud shadows or
whatever were to add an element of surprise.

The two with foreground rocks place the viewer "in" the scene
better, for me. They are more suggestive, the portrait one more so
though the landscape one is beautiful technically.

The last image with the road is really intriguing, and the power of
the landscape is not at all diminished by manmade elements,
evidence of clearcut etc - maybe that's the draw. It's always more
impressive when you can't quite tell why an image is so striking -
this one doesn't give up its secrets quickly. It's apparently a
straightforward composition, but "off" in an interesting way - like
a joke told straightfaced.

RP
Click to expand...
--
emil
--



http://theory.uchicago.edu/~ejm/pix/20d/
 
I'm heading that direction (for a whole month) so your pictures are making me eager to go! Usually people post their best pic first, but yours got progressively better, culminating with the last one. What makes that one special is that it gets dark off to the right of the road (almost perfectly as you follow the winding road), but the sun is shining brightly on the entire road, almost speaking: "This is a wonderful road that will lead you to enlightening scenery". It surely does! The bright green grass, almost dead center, and the flowing blue sky across the entire top, with all the colors natural-looking... makes for an awesome picture. Thanks for sharing. --Paul.
 
it was worth the wait on my 21-24 kbps dialup. Thanks for sharing.

--
So much to learn, so little time. Cheers, Gene (The one in Oregon)

DMC FZ1v2 - FZ10 - FZ30 - Pentax *istDL

 
The scenes are really beautiful but I think the images need post-processing. I took the liberty of working on one of them. I hope you don't mind. Maybe it's my preferences but I like more color and clarity.

-- Kate



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.
-- Edward W. Bok
 
KateRK said:
The scenes are really beautiful but I think the images need
post-processing. I took the liberty of working on one of them. I
hope you don't mind. Maybe it's my preferences but I like more
color and clarity.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your efforts, I don't mind at all --
no green baby freak am I ;-D

Yes, I see that several of them need levels/curves work.
Is that what you did? I'm always too conservative in taking
what comes out of the camera, and not applying enough
artistic license. Well, I have been known to clone out
a distracting feature or two ;-)

--
emil
--



http://theory.uchicago.edu/~ejm/pix/20d/
 
The last shot has the best color saturation of the series. Seems like they can use a little work in the exposure department. They are all very sharp.
 
Hi Emil, I did a histogram adjustment, a little Hue/Saturation/Lightness, Levels and then a Clarify, all in PSP. Sounds like a lot but it only took 5 minutes.

-- Kate

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.
-- Edward W. Bok
 
Emil,

I just got back from the Canadian Rockies so your pictures bring back fond memories. Like Richard, I like the two shots that include rocks in the foreground. They give me more of a sense of being there and not just seeing the mountains objectively. I also really like the last photo as well. I liked the lines/layers made up by the trees, hills, clouds and sky in contrast to the curve in the road. Great shots.

I have an FX01 and I am contemplating buying an LX1 and these shots certainly make it more appealing.
Thanks,
Daniel
--
My gallery: http://www.daniel-sonkin.com/photos/Site/Home.html
 
Great shots.Must be from the tripod.Unbelivable,that such a small sensor can retain so mych fine details.
--
shape'n'colour
 
are right on. I love the last shot, good color and clarity on that one. And the first and fourth images are very appealing to me. All are very well done Emil. I feel like I struggle with landscape photography almost as much as I do architectural photography. Well, not quite as much, I suck at architectural photography but it doesn't keep me from keeping on trying. ;-)
I think these are mighty fine shots Emil. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing them.
--
LaRee
http://www.laree.smugmug.com/
 
Beautiful work, emil...

Did you do any levels, curves or colour adjustments on these? I find myself really taking the time to get the contrast I want with my landscape photos, I'm just working on my series from the Lake District and hope to post some examples later today.

Thanks for sharing these, have you printed any out yet? how do they look on paper?

Kind Regards

Brian

--

 
Vertumnus said:
Great shots.Must be from the tripod.Unbelivable,that such a small
sensor can retain so mych fine details.
--
Click to expand...
Actually, all were shot handheld. Love that OIS!

I am very pleased with the resolution. It is only slightly less than
the 17-85IS on my 20D at its sweet spot of f11, but with much
higher depth of field due to the small sensor, not so good if you
are trying to isolate a subject from the background but great when
the subject is the background, as in landscapes.

--
emil
--



http://theory.uchicago.edu/~ejm/pix/20d/
 
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