Critique Welcomed Table Mountain

[Brian Moore]

This past Monday I attempted to drive to Artist's Point, a well known scenic area on the slopes leading toward Mount Baker, in the Northern Cascades Range. Didn't quite make it; the road to Artist's Point was closed for the season. (I subsequently learned it opens in July). I got as far as the Mount Baker Ski Area and trudged through the snow a bit to the vantage point you see here. That peak is Table Mountain, which is just over 5700 feet in height. (Nearby Mount Baker reaches 11,000, but I couldn't see it, perhaps due to cloud cover or perhaps I lacked a vantage point, not sure.) I dearly wanted to trudge further to get a better vantage point for photos of the little lake you see here, but I would have needed snow shoes.

Table Mountain by brian moore, on Flickr

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Well done, Brian. Beautiful area of the world, at least judging by this fotie. I guess b&w would be too Ansel-ish?

 

[Gianluca Drago]

There is a strong tonal contrast that could be exploited (as I think Rob suggested), but the choice of color makes sense; you can't always throw away what nature gives you.
Nice photo, Brian, and congratulations on making it to the location.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I like your comment, Gianluca, but would argue that the colours we are viewing are from a digital sensor, edited for online viewing (as we all know), but not 'nature'. But you know this. I like Brian's image in colour, and wondered whether a b&w version would be compared to a similar type of image by Ansel Adams, raising the question over how much one man has cornered the market (so to speak) in this type of image. Colour is something Ansel used, but not nearly as much b&w. Which is why I like Brian's colour choice.

Forgive me. I'm tired, and even I don't know what I'm talking about! Next!

 

[Brian Moore]

Well done, Brian. Beautiful area of the world, at least judging by this fotie. I guess b&w would be too Ansel-ish?

Thanks Rob. Actually B&W never even occurred to me. I’m going to give it a try.

(Just realized I wrote this response a day or two ago but didn't post it.)

 

[Brian Moore]

There is a strong tonal contrast that could be exploited (as I think Rob suggested), but the choice of color makes sense; you can't always throw away what nature gives you.
Nice photo, Brian, and congratulations on making it to the location.

Thanks Gianluca.

 

[Brian Moore]

I like your comment, Gianluca, but would argue that the colours we are viewing are from a digital sensor, edited for online viewing (as we all know), but not 'nature'.

Looking at the RAW image out of the camera it was the composition that attracted me to the picture. The colors were flat and did nothing for me. I pushed a slider or two in Lr and then the picture came to life for me. I took 70 pictures on this little adventure. Only two had potential to be better than mediocre. This one as well as the mistake I posted the other day of the trees out of focus. Both needed work to make them appealing (at least to me). So you're right Rob, editing was necessary. I guess that's why some people contend that you don't "take" a picture, you "make" it.

 

[Gary R. Smith]

I’m going to give it a try.

I already did. Not sure which I like more: the original color or the B&W.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

(Just realized I wrote this response a day or two ago but didn't post it.)

That’s OK. Meg will find you a nice home. You’ll be looked after.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I already did. Not sure which I like more: the original color or the B&W.

Theft! Sue him, Brian!!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Looking at this image again, I’m getting more drawn into the 1950’s-esque colour pallet, and it is growing on me as a colour image. The composition is first-rate. Some foties require a period of quiet contemplation to really take a hold, as here.

 

[Brian Moore]

I already did. Not sure which I like more: the original color or the B&W.

Well then that lets me off the hook.

 

[Brian Moore]

You’ll be looked after.

About time!

 

[Brian Moore]

Some foties require a period of quiet contemplation to really take a hold, as here.

It took time for me, too. Thanks Rob.

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Theft! Sue him, Brian!!

I've already sold the rights...
If anyone (Brian) wants to see what I did to a full-screen grab (from here not from flickr), I'm happy to share.

 

[Brian Moore]

I've already sold the rights...
If anyone (Brian) wants to see what I did to a full-screen grab (from here not from flickr), I'm happy to share.

Yes Gary I'd like to see how you screwed up,...er,...modified,...my picture.

 

[Gary R. Smith]

I watermarked it with my name and copyright...
See if you can find it.

 

[Gianluca Drago]

I watermarked it with my name and copyright...
See if you can find it.

I can't see "Ansel Adams" here. Are you sure you watermarked it, Gary?

 

[Brian Moore]

I watermarked it with my name and copyright...
See if you can find it.View attachment 19652

Not too shabby, Gary. Here's a version I did yesterday:

_G3A3362.jpg by brian moore, on Flickr

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Both versions are interesting.