What I Have Learned
Delta Lake State Park

I thought I would try something a little different today. While I was post-processing my image for yesterday’s post I was thinking about how often I visit Delta Lake but I manage to come home with images I want to share. That led me to thoughts of my early work when I was attempting to understand my camera and to really become a photographer.

I went back to an image at Delta Lake from November 2012. It was and still is a a favorite image of mine. I look at this image now and see all the changes I would make to it if I was creating it today. The changes are not really about the newer software for post-processing or my skill at using them, it is about my vision. I know I capture fewer images now than I did when I was starting out, but I feel I capture better images to express myself.

Well, that was a little long winded… What I wanted to do in this post is look at my original image and walk through the changes I would make today. So, here we go…

Beachcomber – Original
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {0.4, 1/10 & 1/40s bracket}, 17mm, f/16, ISO 200

Back when I was starting on this journey, everything was HDR (High Dynamic Range) and I felt I needed to bracket every view in order to create the image I wanted. This image was no different. I captured -1, 0 & +1 exposures and threw the images into Photomatix in order to get what I wanted. I was also very much in love with the 16×9 image format (don’t ask me why…). Looking at this image I also see how “heavy” I went with my use of plug-ins for Lightroom and/or Photoshop. I had a full compliment of Topaz Labs plug-ins which I had won in a contest and I did not let them sit idly by..

My changes… First up, I processed the original exposed image, no HDR, I didn’t need it. I have learned how to better coax the lights and shadows into my image the way I want them to be displayed. I re-cropped the image to a 5×7 format. I want to bring a little more of the sky into view. This re-balances the image for me. Back in 2012 I knew about the rule of thirds but I don’t think I fully appreciated how/when to utilize it.

The next step was to remove the two yellow/green sun flare areas on the right side of the image. They are the first thing I notice when I look at my original image. They are still slightly in the new image but I know what I’m looking for, the normal viewer will not see them. The next correction I wanted to make was the colors. For one, my original HDR processed resulted in a “muddy” looking image. My heavy-handed processing only accentuated the problem by creating a grey overall tone. I feel like I’m looking at this image through a pair of sunglasses.

In Lightroom I adjusted the image to be brighter and to keep the color of the sky actually blue. I will admit I still use plug-ins but I have a better understanding of how to use the software to enhance my “look” rather than to overwrite the image with a pre-determined style. I added contrast to the shadows and mid-tones to bring out the texture of the sand. I adjusted the color to remove and color cast captured by the camera due to me shooting into the sun. I also wanted to highlight the colors of the sunset but not use them to overtake the image.

As much as I am happy with my original image, this revisited version, in my opinion, is a better representation of the scene. I like the color balance and the image itself is better balanced. Maybe I like it because it reflects my current style, that might be a contributing factor. You’ll have to let me know what you think…

Beachcomber Revisited
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/10s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 200

Delta Lake State Park

Last night was the first “super moon” of the year, the last full moon of winter, the “Worm Moon”. I had a great plan. I would be at Bellamy Harbor to photograph the sunset, then turn around and capture the moon rise. I knew exactly where I would be to capture both moments. It would be easy, the two events were minutes apart.

Driving home from work there were a few clouds in the sky but that was OK, it would add to my sunset. Driving East from Syracuse there were not as many clouds in that direction which is what I would need for the moon rise. It was a good plan.

As I made dinner I noticed the sky was getting cloudier. It only had to hold off until 7:30pm. By then the moon would have cleared the horizon and I would have my image. It was not to be. By 6:30pm, when I would have left to go to the park, there was barely any blue left in the sky. Damn, those clouds moved fast.

So, rather than a cool post with a sunset and a moon rise, you get another view of Sunday’s sunset at Delta Lake. This one has a little more of the ice in the frame…

Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/250s, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200

Delta Lake State Park

Forward to Spring
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/40s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 200