SWANS IN MORNING MIST

[gary ellwein]

Cold cloudy misty morning. D200, Nikon 200-400mm lens with 1.4TC, f8.0, 1/125, ev 1.33, iso 200, matrix. Crop 30%, mild warming and sharpening. The image is close to the original RAW. I have no experience dealing with fog or mist. I like the serenity of the image.

[John Chardine]

I like it too Gary, a lot. The balance and the diagonal are really attractive to me. I like that the parent is peering over its wing, ever vigilant. I think there's another crop that might be worthwhile trying- a little tighter on the sides and some off the bottom. In terms of "dealing" with fog or mist you can leave it alone and rejoice in the look and feel of the image or you can "correct" for it. Fog and mist reduces contrast so a Levels or Curves adjustment will correct it, or Contrast and Brightness. In ACR you can bring the Blacks slider to the right a bit. Lots of ways to skin a cat. Personally I like to leave this part to whatever I got out of the camera.

[annmpacheco]

I like this image as well... After reading John's post I have been trying to "envision" the edits in my head, so I know what to look for, and with hope that my minds eye will lend itself to another image that I hope to compose. I like the cold/mist, quietness and the "watch" of the dutiful parent. Strong lines and balance. I'd like to see the blacks more. TFS, its a beauty.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

A good picture tells a story, this one does. Like it as presented. More contrast would be interesting and you could repost to see if the image is strengthened.

[gary ellwein]

I like it too Gary, a lot. The balance and the diagonal are really attractive to me. I like that the parent is peering over its wing, ever vigilant. I think there's another crop that might be worthwhile trying- a little tighter on the sides and some off the bottom. In terms of "dealing" with fog or mist you can leave it alone and rejoice in the look and feel of the image or you can "correct" for it. Fog and mist reduces contrast so a Levels or Curves adjustment will correct it, or Contrast and Brightness. In ACR you can bring the Blacks slider to the right a bit. Lots of ways to skin a cat. Personally I like to leave this part to whatever I got out of the camera.

John, thanks for the critique. I implemented your suggestion and like the change.

Jeff, I tried increasing the contrast. The increase diminished the mist effect which changed the mood of the image.

[gary ellwein]

John, thanks for the critique. I implemented your suggestion and like the effect.

Jeff, I tried increasing the contrast. The increase reduced the mist effect. Thanks for the critique.

Gary

Oops, two posts. I didn't think the first one went through.

[Julie Kenward]

Lovely image, Gary. I also like the diagonal of the birds and the recrop. One thing John didn't mention that I like to use on fog is the exposure adjustment sliders. The middle slider - offset - is very powerful at bringing blacks to their knees in a very short move. I did the following to see if I could pull the blacks down and still keep the mood of the image:

Exposure: +0.10, offset: -0.0393, gamma: +0.91

I also converted the image to black and white - you're practically there anyway!

[LeeFortier]

I like both of your versions, Gary.

I might have selectively increased the contrast on the birds only.

Otherwise, I would leave your original as is. I liked the touch of color you introduced.

[gary ellwein]

Lovely image, Gary. I also like the diagonal of the birds and the recrop. One thing John didn't mention that I like to use on fog is the exposure adjustment sliders. The middle slider - offset - is very powerful at bringing blacks to their knees in a very short move. I did the following to see if I could pull the blacks down and still keep the mood of the image:

Exposure: +0.10, offset: -0.0393, gamma: +0.91

I also converted the image to black and white - you're practically there anyway!

Thanks Julie, I like the change. I have not used the exposure sliders very often. This has prompted me to read and experiment.