Local Landscape Theme

[dan swiger]

Several years ago, I had heard it said that if you can't shoot something locally, then going to a National Park isn't going to make you a better photographer. The idea being, to work on the fundamentals, visiting places different times of year & day. It would be nice to see what you all do, near to home.

Here are few from a local park when Fall colors were still aglow.

 

[AlanLichty]

Those are pretty nice - you have handled a pretty wide dynamic range well with the light in these scenes. Theres something about the left hand side of the bridge in the third image that almost feels sort of Escher-ish.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Dan,

Shooting locally is a great challenge indeed. And you do have a lot of nice places close to where you are at to choose from.

I like #3 the best here, though you should tame those highlights on that pipe on the left. It can work as a leading line, but not with it being so bright. For as bright as it is, it stops being a leading line and instead becomes a distraction.

#2 is my next favorite, a nice composition but it has a couple of things that catch my eye. First is the rock in the lower left. I can see where you might have thought it could help balance the scene, but I think it distracts more then balances. And then up in the sky, there is a weird blue blotch in the upper left. Not sure how that one area would be so much darker then the rest of the blue around it.

 

[Ben Egbert]

I shot local just for the practice of various types and because I know the weather and light and can thus get to places at good times. Sometimes local can also be beautiful and dramatic. I like you images and the third is my favorite.

 

[beavens]

With #1 and #3 I'm being thrown off by the asphalt pathway and the metal pipe being included.

#2 is easily my favorite and with a few tweaks I think I'd dig it even more.

Dan, I'm not sure where you're at but the the jerks* in this thread have no idea what it means to NOT have jaw-dropping scenery on their doorsteps. We have to make more with less, but sometimes that's a great challenge.

Jeff




*You know I love you guys.

 

[Roguecoolman]

Hey Dan,

We got some good stuff in the local bay. Now that we got the early rains in and the hills on the east are going semi green, get the cam ready for some green hills sooner (hopefully)

Did you shoot these on film? They have that ektar quality. One of the things I'm challenging myself more is going for more intimate scenes rather than wide. I think some of the trees in your scenes could make for some good intimate shots. I like #2 as my fav.

 

[dan swiger]

Hey Dan,

We got some good stuff in the local bay. Now that we got the early rains in and the hills on the east are going semi green, get the cam ready for some green hills sooner (hopefully)

Did you shoot these on film? They have that ektar quality. One of the things I'm challenging myself more is going for more intimate scenes rather than wide. I think some of the trees in your scenes could make for some good intimate shots. I like #2 as my fav.

Jason, yes it's Ektar I will be watching around home for some opportunities. A few years back there was a large bloom of poppies off of Mt. Hamilton road. Will let you know