"Inroads, Old and New"

Another archived image processed, but this time I'm flexing some new processing muscles. The point of interest or subject matter is vague, I know, but this image is more about quality light and interesting form as well as visual texture. The spring clouds were stormy, but the low angled sunlight raking across this valley really glowed. "Inroads, Old and New" suggests the cut of two roads going into the valley. The old is on the left and the newer road cut is in the upper right. Once again, this landscape gives me the impression of the older country in Scotland or Ireland. Your thoughts and observations are appreciated!

Bingo-"visual texture" really says it all, well done.

There should be 9's available.  S

I really like the image overall Mark. The The symbolic nature of the image with the old, and new roads starting at the same source, but leading to different places is excellent, the textures, gorgeous foreground, and excellent composition I find very appealing as well. I'm not seeing the glow on the hillside that you describe seeing though. I thought maybe a touch warmer, and, of course, a bit more contrast :-0 to emphasize the sunlit hill side. Incredible shadow detail, but at a price. Since I'm the Yin, and you're the Yang, we'll likely never agree, but we can at least keep each other in balance ;-)

All the best,
Neil

I feel the deep -  i'm sort of inside the image !!
(can't really explain it in English but it's a Great Feeling)

Best regards.

-Rikard

The aesthetic dis-connect of the sky brings out the mystical aspect of the land.   A journey befitting the land loving gnomes of Scotland.  Walk along the road and around the bend into adventures only the best of imaginations can delight in. 

Regards,  MR

Thank you Michael, Steve, Neil, Rikard and Michael! Steve, perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Comments are the inspiration, numbers are the exasperation, at least here on PNet! Nice of you to offer that comment however. I like the rating system only in as much as it can keep an image in the forefront, enabling more feedback. After that, the numbers are mostly irrelevant to me. Neil, I actually agree in some respects. The use of chiaroscuro lighting is a very useful technique to manipulate the perception of tonality. Darken the shadows and the highlights visually brighten. Master painters and photographers use it. Your use of chiaroscuro is very effective. I don't utilize it to it's fullest, probably because I have a purist's ideology. No, I am not the consummate purist. I will clone out distracting elements and man made intrusions, I will mitigate flare, I will punch colors to the threshold, etc. As far as contrast, I am frugal for a couple of reasons. I have found that my large format prints view better with opened shadows. Secondly, I don't believe we see our world with the same contrast that I see utilized on the web. No way to prove the second point per se, just my belief. In fact, we all probably perceive luminosity and color in different ways with our own eyes. Not saying I'm right or wrong, just expressing my feelings on the subject. As you said, we keep each other in check for the good of our photography. Your introspect always gives me food for thought. Thanks!

very fitting expression this " visual texture", and it works here very nicely. great light and textures. i perfectly agree with you what you said about contrast and opening shadows. the un- processed photo is not equal to what we see with our eyes. our processing style seems to be similar, and i also feel this to be close to the natural look of the landscape ( plus a tiny bit of spice on it).

Thanks Zsolt! Man, I really like your description. Close to the original scene with "a little spice". So true, I think. All the great chefs must use spice to complete the meal. Even the finest cut of steak will need some salt and pepper!

Mark...  Another great shot from this little valley.  The level of detail and dynamic range is spectacular... Mike

Thank you Mike, as always, I appreciate your thoughts!

Its wonderful, well done!

Thanks Michael! Always good to hear from you!!

Sharp details from front to end.  Natural color.  Well composed and well balance.  Learning.  Best Regards,