Critique Welcomed New Landscapes

[Rob MacKillop]

Raw bracketing of three images. Opened in Lightroom 4. Exported to Nik HDR Efex. Exported to Nik Silver and Colour.

This is all new to me. Not sure if I really like it, if it's really me. But there are bits here and there I think are impressive, maybe even useful. I much prefer black and white over colour, but I have included one colour image here, deliberately OTT, but showing possibilities.

So, work in tentative progress, for which your comments would be much valued...positive or otherwise.


Cramond3_x12k by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Cramond5_x12k by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Cramond12_x12k by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Cramond13_x12k by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Cramond16_x12k by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Cramond18a_x12k by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Cramond19_x12k by RobMacKillop, on Flickr

 

[Paul Lange]

I think it is the colour image for me Rob. The yellow and blue work well together. I like the last too but maybe it is a little too dark?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Paul. Comments appreciated. I actually don't really like the colour shot, though I can imagine that many people I know would love it.
As for the b&w, I don't think it works well with bushes, or when there are too many leaves. But you see the "strands" of water in the waterfall more clearly, and I like that.
I also like some of the qualities in the first two images. Not sure about the rest. There are more on my Flickr site, but the ones here give a good overview, I think.
It has been enjoyable exploring HDR a little. Some people are very extreme with it, and I am not won over by that. But I think there might be mileage in a more subtle approach. Be prepared for some oddities, as I try to understand the software and processes.

 

[Davie Hudson]

yeah B&W is a bit hit and miss for landscapes where there are big clumps of similar tones ...The water in the 3rd and 4th are brilliant

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Davie. I do like colour in landscapes, but HDR can really make it look weird. Hence my attempts at b&w.

 

[Davie Hudson]

Cheers, Davie. I do like colour in landscapes, but HDR can really make it look weird. Hence my attempts at b&w.

I need to read my manual, I had no idea it merged them for you ... every day is a school day

 

[Davie Hudson]

I need to read my manual, I had no idea it merged them for you ... every day is a school day

actually maybe it doesn't lol

 

[Peter McCullough]

I like those Robb, the 2nd image down for me is my favourite from this bunch, light on the side of the house is subtle along with the path leading you in, very nice indeed!!

Maybe a tad lighter overall and try show a brighter/lighter chimney on the house, but great images.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Peterr (you started it). Good call on the chimney

 

[Aldous Lau]

Great series Rob, I specially love #2 and #6

 

[Beth Carter]

the b&ws for me. esp. 1 & 4.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Something for everyone

 

[Pete Askew]

I think my favourites here are the first shot (especially if you cropped it to show the reflection only), the colour one (I like the artificiality - dreamlike) and the last one (because of its darkness). I also like the effect in the second one as again it has a dream-like feel. The bracketing has introduced a few artefacts into the leaves etc in the waterfall shots but, as you say, the effect on the water is nice. DEfinitely worth exploring more I think.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Pete. I think I could correct those artefacts, at least to some degree, as it is a stage in the process I didn't really understand at the time. I think...