Evening Rider

I like the compression effect of a telephoto lens in the right composition, and for me this is one.  The sun is setting just to the right.  Fortunately, a bike rider appeared in the scene, making a huge difference.  I thought I wanted her closer to the camera, but she stayed near the edge and blended with the ground.  When I told her this, she turned around and went way, way back and returned just so I could have a second shot.  The photos are separated by 11 minutes.  By that time, the sun was lower to the horizon and the color had changed (the color is very close to what I saw in both photos).

If you click on the left arrow, you can see the second version.  I'd love to know if you have a preference for one over the other.  Thanks.

I love it. I've some similar shots of trucks in similar light/dust during harvest on the Palouse. Tele-compression is a favorite landscape tool of mine. I much prefer the posted shot--in the other version the rider competes with the line of power poles and the background (which is more distinct). The posted shot also adds to the loneliness of the scene.

Very impressive. Best regards

Obviously, both of these shots are great photos. In the end it is just a mater of personal preference and, I personally, would vote for this one for 2 reasons. I like the fact that the cyclist is a bit further back, that she still has a way to go in the photo. In the other one, the fact that she is closer to the bottom edge give it a feeling of her already having finished. The second thing is the colour - although I had suspected that they were both "edit free", still, the colour here seems to me to be a much less extreme, much more natural tone and as such fits the photo.

Both impressive shots.

I prefer this version, because the cascading effect of the road seems more accentuated. Since the light comes from the left, the bushes on the left pick up a glow.

The first one that came up for me had more sky. I was not fond of the extra sky, so tried to save it and fool with it myself in PS (cropping). Couldn't do that. I opened the image again on PN and the sky was cropped on your version. Thought I was losing it until I realized you were asking which was liked better. Didn't know there were 2 versions. I definately like this one with less ski. Great shot.

I do prefer this than the oversaturated one.It has the atmosphere.

Stephen,  Either image on its own is quite effective.  Overall, I prefer the composition, and exposure of this image.  The other image is warmer and brighter, and to me has a bit of a different feel - maybe because the rider in more in the middle of the road.  She's a strong rider.  While I like the pinker look of the other image (not better than this one) I don't think the yellow strip of sky adds anything to the first shot.  The grainy effect of both images enhances the mood - many would try to reduce the noise.  I'm glad you didn't.  Nice work.  If you have a chance, I'd like your reaction to the two Seattle night images that I just posted.  Thanks, Stephen; nice work.   Larry

Interesting and impressive photos! For me, this one is better. Here the rider and the sky do not draw away attention from the main impact of the image – the cascading effect. Best wishes.

Thanks everyone for your comments and opinions.  While they are the same cyclist on the same road taken 11 minutes apart, each has characteristics that make them decidedly different and therefore likely to have different appeals.  As Nick and Otto said, I like this version because the cyclist is not as prominent in the scene (i.e., more "lonely" in the context of a larger surrounding), and that appeals to me.  She is also further from the bottom edge, and this enhances the sense of having further to go on this ride.  Because of the position of the sun, the colors are different and perhaps a bit less intense (the colors in the other haven't had their saturation increased -- they are that way because I'm nearly looking into the sun as it nears the horizon).  I'm still trying different crops and aspect ratios -- this can be done in a number of ways, something that I don't usually do.  In the end, I'm just so thankful this cyclist appeared on her evening ride.  That was pure luck.

Dear anonymous, there was very little processing involved (I did remove a sign; that's about it other than sharpening; remember, I'm just a few degrees from looking straight into the setting sun).  Not sure what you mean by "cartoon;" this was shot with a 300mm, and that compressed the hills, and the edge of this rural road is uneven (it's not a freeway) -- perhaps that what you're seeing.

Congratulations -- you're the first commenter I've ever seen to actually use the anonymous blanket.