Fall Leaves

[John Storjohann]

I've been a way for a while...PC issues and a lack of time and a funk with my creative eye got in the way! Trying to get back in the swing of things...I'm sorry about my lack of contribution to the forum lately. This was taken early this morning with the 100-400 at 210mm, f/11@1/6. In the interest of complete disclosure, two of the yellow leaves were already there; I placed a third next to them because I thought it strengthened the composition. Processed in LR then taken into PS; touched up some blemishes on the leaves, added some tonal contrast, and a bit of vibrancy. Finished it with Topaz->BuzzSim on a separate layer at 72% opacity. Hope you enjoy!

[denise ippolito]

John, Welcome back. This is lovely. The colors and the filtering are terrific. I wouldn't change a thing if it were mine. Nice job!

[John Storjohann]

Denise, thank you for commenting...I wasn't sure if the water highlight on the middle yellow leaf was a distraction or not...still playing with it a bit. Take care.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi John, love it as is, but I might evict the water highlight on the middle yellow leaf that you mention. Beautiful filtering!

[Cheryl Slechta]

John, this is a beautiful peaceful image to me. I could also see a slight crop from the bottom but love it the way it is.

[John Storjohann]

Thank you for your comments, Andrew. In print that highlight wasn't as obtrusive..but scale it down and it stands out much more. Hope this one works a bit better!

[Indranil Sircar]

Wonderful composition, John. Love the bright yellow with the surrounding colors. Nicely done.

[John Storjohann]

Cheryl and Indranil, thank you for your comments. Cheryl, I played with your idea of a crop from the bottom, but I felt like a crop left the image too tight to the bottom of the rock...thank you for the suggestion nonetheless!...it gives food for thought on how to approach a subject. Take care.

[denise ippolito]

John, The water highlight looks natural and I think it looks fine. Sometimes making things look too clean or too perfect draws more attention to a set up. I like the original.

[Brendan Dozier]

This turned out real nice, John! Great light & color. Really like the balance of the comp, with the contrast of leaf textures and water texture. Nice touch with processing, and repost looks good.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi John, be able to see both versions I think Denise makes a very good point about it looking too clean. I'd leave the water highlight in too!

[Mitch Carucci]

Autumn is a beautiful season. Really nice seasonal image!

[Arthur Morris]

Beautiful design, colors, soft light, and placement of the third leaf. Water nice too. I have looked at this many times and every time I wish for a small crop from the top.... Lots of benefits there for my eye..... The main two being losing the little nub on the top right of the rock and improving the composition balance.

[John Storjohann]

Thank you to everyone for their comments and suggestions.

Denise and Andrew, you're right...there's something to be said for leaving an image more natural in spite of what could be viewed as a "technical flaw"...thank you for reminding us all.

Artie, interesting point...and I'm going to take a look at that when I get home...good eye!