Cheltenham Badlands Detail

Spotted on a recent (May, 2006) visit to the Cheltenham Badlands

near Orangeville, On. Though originally in colour I thought it had

merit in B&W. Your comments\opinions will be gratefully received.

Best, LM.

Interesting lines and curves, I think it deserves B&W. Great detail and very good tones. After looking for a while, I find the bright spot a bit distrating, or, better, it draws my attention off from the bush. Would be interesting to see how it looks burned

Yes, I agree about the bright spot on the top of the mound. It detracts from an otherwise excellent photograph.

Carsten, Chris, Thanks for happening by. LESSON #1: When shooting Chrome film expose for the highlights. I didn't do that here and paid the price though the midtones and shadows seem OK to me. For most of the roll I was following Vincent K. Tyler's advice (bracketing in 1\3 stops) but failed to do that on this shot (getting short on film while still heavy on subject matter). The bright spot IS burned in a bit but I guess one can't manufacture detail where there is none to begin with. I'll try to keep this in mind in the future. Best, LM.

Hi Len, I still think it is a good image of curves and texture. The white spot is a bit a competition to the bush, right. Darkening only that spot will help it a lot.Nice one.

 

Happy birthday Len.( saw Ken's comment....;-))

Pnina, I'll try to tone down the white area a bit since the concensus is that it shouldn't be that bright. If I can do it without it LOOKING like it was manipulated I'll post that version as well. That Ken, he'd never make it as a spy. "Ask me! Ask me! I know all the secrets. No need to pull my finger nails out!" :-) Thanks for the birthday wish Pnina. Best, LM.

Thought I would stop by to check out your portfolio and I happened upon this critique request. Other than the already pointed out "white spot" I really like the photo. I would be careful not to darken the light areas too much. I think the light line through the photo forms a wonderful curve (the much desired "S curve") for the eye to follow. After a few "trips" along the line I noticed the light bush which contrasts nicely with the otherwise barren surface. Great shot!

James, Thanks for the vote of confidence. As I've already conceded there's little I can do, post exposure, to coax out details in the white areas that was not there to begin with. If I could I do it all over I would expose for the highlights and perhaps bracket +1/2 and + 1 full stop to hopefully arrive at a more acceptable result. Being used to shooting negative materials I chose the aperture and let the camera chose the shutter speed. Burned out highlights were rarely a problem with that material. Live & learn! The backlighted bush was the initial draw for my eye & promted me to invest a few frames on it. This one was the best of the bunch. Best, LM.