A Fallen Giant

[theeventof]

Hello DPS so I'm back with my second attempt at an HDR photograph. Hopefully this one shows some improvement. Does this convey the message of the fallen giant? Do you think the processing is too much or did I get it right? Is there anything I could do that would improve the composition? Thanks for the help!


Fallen by John Davenport Photography, on Flickr

EXIF DATA
Camera Nikon D3100
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 100

[jojonac]

I think you did a great job with the processing, its not to over the top. It does feel a little over sharp though.

I like the composition of the large trunk in front and the fallen tree behind, but I think I would have like to seen the tree before it got cut up.

To me the picture feels more like the cut up giant then the fallen giant.

Again nice job on the processing, you can tell its HDR, but it does not seem to over the top.

jojo

[theeventof]

Originally Posted by jojonac

I think you did a great job with the processing, its not to over the top. It does feel a little over sharp though.

I like the composition of the large trunk in front and the fallen tree behind, but I think I would have like to seen the tree before it got cut up.

To me the picture feels more like the cut up giant then the fallen giant.

Again nice job on the processing, you can tell its HDR, but it does not seem to over the top.

jojo

Thanks... that's kind of the look I was going for HDR, but not over the top.

And yah I agree with you... I would definitely have liked to have been there when the tree first hit the ground but unfortunately it's one of those things you just can't control.

[windrider86]

Something I like to do when working with images like this. Keep the areas sharp that you want to pop, but get rid of the oversharpened back ground. Make sure you are working on separate layers, then erase or mask out areas you dont want to look so sharp. Gives it a nice look

[theeventof]

Originally Posted by windrider86

Something I like to do when working with images like this. Keep the areas sharp that you want to pop, but get rid of the oversharpened back ground. Make sure you are working on separate layers, then erase or mask out areas you dont want to look so sharp. Gives it a nice look

Oooo that makes sense - I'll try that out this evening and see how it comes out. Thanks for the tip I'm so lost in photoshop there's just too much to learn lol!

[Krusty79]

The HDR doesn't look overdone to me. My only suggestion is for the composition. I would suggest shooting this using the cut-up logs as the foreground interest leading up to the big stump.

[theeventof]

Oh that's an interesting idea, if it's still there the next time I go for a walk I'll see what I can do!

[sk66]

To me it's too busy. And the BG with more contrast draws the eye away from the subject.
Both previous suggestions could help.