"The Closest Star"

Thanks for any thoughts! Please view Larger.

This is a lovely composition. I love the sun rays that come across the farm. I'm guessing this is an HDR? This works very well. Favorited!

Beautiful colors and light.

This is one of the very best sunset shots I have seen, in large part because of the interesting foreground--as well as the rays of light already alluded to.

 

--Lannie

Thanks Jennifer, Peter and Landrum! This is not a typical HDR, meaning I did not use HDR software and it only consists of three exposures. Most HDR images are usually 5 or more. I do not care for the traditional HDR appearance, instead preferring what I call EDR, or extended dynamic range. I needed a third exposure for this photo to help me blend the horizon, but I usually use two exposures for most. I had a vision of making images like this 20 years or so ago. Problem was, it just wasn't possible in my analog days. When grad filters came onto the scene, I was getting closer, but still was not happy with the results. Not until I learned to blend exposures did I dare shoot straight into the sun like this and have any expectations of success.

Excellent photo, Mark! I love the way you bring the continuity in the motif as you leave half a tree in the right side, and half a building in the left. The foreground and the sunbeams bring a lot of life to the photo. Can not stop looking at this one :) Absolutely a favorite, so congrats on this one!

BR

Frode

Sublime sunrise Mark... It's almost too perfect, if that makes sense. Don't get me wrong, it's a 7/7 for sure and well worth the early rise. The sunlight on the tips of the grass is the crowning touch. Wonderful shot.. Mike

 

 

Thanks Frode and Mike. It's not perfect, at least not my execution. Everything came out the way I'd hoped except I think I could have tried one more exposure less two more stops to preserve some more detail near the sun. The area near the sun was so bright, however, it may have not worked. But I will never know because I didn't make the exposure anyway. Yes, the sunlight kissing the tops of the grasses I believe is the main attraction.

Marvelous image my friend, a capture of the dawn well worth the chronicaling. rek.

I'm glad you have worked away from the GND as I always believe this to be the better method. The NDs always seem to leave a transition areas and dark mountains and trees. You have really produced some outstanding images with your blending skills. So very impressive, well done, Mark!

Thanks Richard and Leo! It is always good to hear from you two. Yes Leo, now that I am blending images, I will never look back. Only on occasion is there a reason for grads. But the only need for the second exposure is for the sky, and that is an easy blend. The primary exposure is for everything else. Whenever I had to deal with grad shadows (I hate them), I usually ended up with a block of pixel mess that had no detail or definition. Now, the entire image has good detail, even in the shadows.

I love the early morning light and this is spectacular!!!! Into my favorites it goes! I love the sunlight and how it is grazing the tips of the grass not to mention the beautiful rays. You sure know how to capture the natural beauty of landscapes. Excellent!!! Take care and have a nice long weekend! Leslie

I like this photo, it really works well. The composition is fantastic and I think that its an excellent creation. Very nice work!

It is a splendid and warm light so well ballance,details and shapes complete this composition,what I wish is to be there for few minutes,all my best Radu.

Outstanding!

The technique is well done, regardless of what it's called.

Thanks Leslie, Mac, Radu. Lester and Bob. I appreciate your observations!

This is just stunning! I have to go look at more...

Thanks for your kind comments Kim!

doing allright? It's been awhile. This one caught my attention straight away and for all the obvious reasons, some of them are mentioned already. By no means a critique but I've fiddled a bit with it (you know my bias) and I think it looks great, maybe even better, in straight b&w. A thought maybe?

wonderful light !

Thank you Ton and Krzysztof! Hey Ton, I am doing well. We just had our son this morning. 10 pounds 5 ounces. Everyone is doing well. I haven't played with this one yet, probably won't have time for a while, but I will when I have a chance. I have converted some of my other Barn images and they all look good! Thanks for the suggestion. Hope you are well. I will stay in touch!

CONGRATULATIONS are in order. Good for you (and the missus of course) You have yourself a big cigar and relax because busy days (and nights) lay ahead ;-)

 

Have a great time

 

Ton

Very similar scenery in Europe :) http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9333031

Thanks Marko, your photo is very nice as well!