Quiet Place to Watch the Storm, a photo from Florida, South

Photographer's Note

St. Cloud was established in the 1860's and 70's on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga, as a military retirement town for the soldiers from the great War Between the States, or Civil War. The lake front has always been the center for events and recreation, and in the past 10-20 years has seen a great deal of renovation and beautification to the park, marina and swimming area (free of alligators). This jetty has been shored up at the point with sand bags and a small gazebo was built for shelter and parties. Our 4th of July fireworks are also dispatched from this point.

This cloudy day didn't see many visitors to the point, and the air was fresh and clean and quiet in between storms. I like getting away sometimes, and I thought that the lonliness of the area and the empty path had a certain peace to them.

I did a simple one step photo fix (cheated) in the Jasc Paint Shop, and cropped and sharpened. I also cloned out a light post. Please comment, critique and workshop this photo - I'm not entirely happy with it and would love your imput.

Added to the scavenger hunt, path with a vanishing point.

Liora, pamastro, richtersl, danbachmann, Endy ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

ninadev (5377) 2004-07-28 11:26

My first reaction was "wow" when I looked at the thumbnail: simple subject, great vanishing point leading to the ocean, contrasting colors. But then when I opened the photo I was a little disapointed, it wasn't as striking as in the small format: maybe because of the cement patches on the path, or because of the noise in the sky, or rather because of the sign on the tree and gazebo in the background, which I could not see on the thumbmail. Maybe we could "cheat" a little more by removing these sign and gazebo ? or try applying acontrast mask. I will try a WS but not sure if it will make a diffrence.

[workshop] [compare] +

Liora (1857) 2004-07-28 13:35

Excellent composition Michelle! I read Nina's note and the thread, and while I agree that the photo suffers from some technical problems, I don't like the soft focus version - I flattened the sky, which it the main "atmosphere generator" here. I did a workshop trying some ideas, but I found that the more I look at this photo trying to better it, the more I like it as is.

[workshop] [compare] +

pamastro (7296) 2004-07-29 2:06

Very nice perspective. I like how this path just shoots out into the water as though it goes on forever. I like the other path merging with this one up ahead, too. It really adds to the funnel feel and gives it a sort of expressway merging feel. It is dark, though, with low contrast. But that is a result of the day. Perhaps this would have been a good use of black and white on a landscape since the colors aren't strong in these conditions. You did do a good job of cloning out the light post. Can't see at all where it would have been. Perhaps other ideas rather than black and white could be as Liora did, increase the saturation, in the greens and yellows for the grass. And playing with the backlighting to maybe add more life to the sky. Nicely composed, though. Perhaps I'll try a workshop on it tomorrow.

[workshop] [compare] +

richtersl (3546) 2004-07-29 12:43

I wish the weather would have been more cooperative for you. This looks like a great place for taking photos. The only thing I would do for now is crop a little from the bottom and from the right to move things a bit more off center. I like how the curve meanders to the vanishing point. All in all, a very pleasing composition.

Endy (1025) 2004-08-04 21:29

Great DOF and perspective. Maybe, you could accentuated the green of grass and trees to improve the life of the picture. By the way, the composition is very good.

danbachmann (1746) 2004-10-15 13:17

Your picture here reminds me of one of my memories of Florida - a flat landscape, like the sea. It is a bit like the Netherlands, but with greener and well kept grass. The vanishing point idea is good, but perhaps cropping off some of the left would allow give the composition more focus on the right hand details and have the path winding back to center

Our-Scotland (6) 2005-02-25 16:32

I like this shot - the way the road leads you to and between the trees, which are nicely off-centre! Yea there's some noise in the sky and perhaps its not as sharp as it could be - but its nice and simple!

All the best, Bruce

dsidwell (9783) 2005-06-15 1:00

What a lovely point of view, Michelle. The sidewalk make such effective leading lines to something interesting--and a dramatic sky added for good measure!

paprika-jancsi (2349) 2006-11-17 10:37

I think this is one of your best, Michelle.
Well composed and very artistic.Has atmosphere.
The curvy road makes it. Best regards, Janos

rajhema (1873) 2007-07-05 7:21

Very quite atmosphere that you presented in the picture Michelle. Green and the white band of walkway all came out awesome. Looks a bit grainy but that doesn't bring down the picture

TFS
Rajesh