Itaska Pines

Visited Lake Itaska State Park a few days ago. Almost had the place to myself. This time of year the sun is quite low in the sky and this was shot at about 1:30 p.m. pointing strait south though the backlit pines. The blacken trunks appear to show the signs of past fires. This was a 9 image (1 stop each) HDR processed in Photomatix Pro 4.0 and then all over again in HDR Efex Pro. Blended the two different HDR layers in PS and then processed in OnOne Perfect Effects. Wanted to emphasize the sun's glow with the effects added and halos are OK for me in this one. Nikon 14-24mm @ 14mm, f/18. Saved at 55%.
The next image is a possible crop. I know we all deal with comp and cropping and wondered about your thoughts on the full vs 1/2 (bottom) crop images.
All C&C welcome.

Here's the crop... saved at 36%...
The ground is covered with grasses and ferns.

This is a great example of why I like so much the exaggerated perspective of tilted wide angle lenses with objects in the foreground. You had a good idea when you took the shot, and you carried it out very well through the final image. Well, images. In spite of coming from the same original image, their impact is quite different. Had the perspective not been exaggerated, I don't think I would've liked the foreground trunks in the one cropped to landscape orientation. As it is, though, they're valuable in creating a wonderful feeling of depth. They also contribute strong texture. This version also benefits from the texture of the forest floor. Another thing I like about the horizontal version that is not so strong in the vertical one is a feeling of actually being right there, surrounded by the trees.

I do like the vertical one, too. Probably just as much as the horizontal one. There's one thing I might've done differently in the vertical one if it were mine -- eliminate the uppermost trunk on the left side, the one that's coming in at a low angle.

I'm curious about why you used both Photomatix and HDR Efex on the image. After using Photomatix Pro for quite a while, I downloaded the HDR Efex demo, but after a quick look I decided there was no reason to switch. I've never thought about blending two HDR images processed in different ways. You've started the wheels turning.

Hi Dennis. Thanks for your thoughtful comments and question.
I sometimes use the various software products like HDR programs in an intuitive rather than structured way. I know the direction I want to go, but don't have a concrete way to get there. :bg3: So I processed in Photomatix to some satisfaction and thought I would then try HDR Efex in a somewhat exaggerated way for what I thought was missing. The blend of both in Photoshop brought me most of the way to that destination I had in mind. Some, who are more proficient could get by with one attempt/program, I'm sure. I do have a lot of fun with layers and blending modes and various opacities, though. :S3:
The one branch/trunk in the OLC of the verticle comp is a distraction and I will see what I can do about that. :S3:

Steve, a very creative approach to this image. I really like the dramatic upward sweep of image 1, with my eye starting at the glow of the forest floor and lifting to the top branches that stretch to the sky. Then I scrolled down to image 2 and the glow really intensified. The detailed bark of the large right tree anchors this image and then my eye meanders back through the trees. Both images drawn you in, but to different places. Well done!

Thanks for sharing how these impacted you, Nancy. Here's a version with the OLC trunk modified...

Steve, both images work for me and pretty much agree with the observations by Dennis & Nancy. Repost looks great. Wonderful view, light, color. Processing looks good, way to experiment with the HDR. Seeing the second crop, with the great texture in the FG, made me realize how good the full original image would look super enlarged. I could imagine this hanging in a museum or large lobby, close to full scale. The viewers would feel like they were right in the middle of the forest.

Wonderful composition, Steve. I too like both images and for different reasons and agree with Nancy and Dennis. I like your creative approach. Excellent work!

Steve, Both images have a lot of impact and as Nancy said both images draw you in. Nice repost, you did a great eviction! If I had to choose I'd go with the vertical but the intense grounds of the horizontal are special.:S3:

You worked some magic on the re-post. Very nicely done.

Hey Steve, way to go! Real nice camera work on this. I like the report also.............and favor the vertical view. Well done.........I really does draw me in. Really like the glowing type feel to it.

Wow, Steve! Love that repost. Absolutely beautiful. :S3:

Thanks, folks. Appreciate your helpful comments on these images. :S3:

Hi Steve, late getting around to this one, but my fav is the vertical. The horizontal crop is nice, but for me the trees are leaning backward too much for my tastes. I think the crop acentuated that aspect of the vertical, if that makes sense. I don't mind the leaning in the vertical at all. Nice work with the HDR...this almost has a sunset feel to it.

Thanks, Andrew! One of the presets I used was "Golden Hour Enhancer" in Perfect Effects 3.