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Shared Solitude
glad2badad


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2008-12 (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2008
Camera: Sony DSLR-A700
Lens: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Sony
Date: Dec 12, 2008
Aperture: F8
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/45
Galleries: Landscape
Date Uploaded: Dec 12, 2008

 PSP X2
- straighten horizon
- smart photo fix (-11,15,0,0,29,10,8)
- clarify +20
- dup layer
- B/W Film (70,30,0,-10,50) - layer 42% opacity
- merge down
- crop
- resize
- Dig NR (50,20,20,20,1)
- USM (.35,100,10) +luminance
- selective sharpen tree
- dup layer
- clarify +5
- erase around tree edges
- Dig NR (50,20,20,10,1)
- Noise Reduction: Salt & Pepper (3,3)
- darken edge of tree/sky area
- merge all
- dup layer
- xero: Soft Mood (50,50,50,50) - layer 40% opacity, soft light mode
- merge all
- USM (.35,100,10) +luminance
- border
- save as JPG

I pass this tree on the way to work. It sits at the top of a good sized hill in the foothills of the Shenandoahs. I was beside myself trying to find SOMEthing to take a photo of with the stunning skies we had this morning as last nights storm clouds broke up!!! This photo doesn't really do the sky justice, but it's better than nothing I suppose. It almost appears, in this shot, that there may be a ridge or mountain behind this hill...there isn't, that's just a heavy bank of clouds. The crow that flew in as I was grabbing a couple of shots was a nice little bonus. :-)

I'd have liked to spend more time with this, but the road is quite busy and I parked on the narrow shoulder. Rolled down the window, and every car that went by was throwing road spray in my direction (especially the tractor-trailers!).

Hmmm...hope this at least hits my avg score. A 6 would be better. :-D

Statistics
Place: 28 out of 407
Avg (all users): 6.4663
Avg (commenters): 7.1000
Avg (participants): 6.3246
Avg (non-participants): 6.7959
Views since voting: 1607
Views during voting: 288
Votes: 163
Comments: 18
Favorites: 4 (view)

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AuthorThread
Fujifilm x100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 08/31/2009 10:28:40 PM
Barry, love the grain. Strong use of a low horizon, well composed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 01/11/2009 12:49:08 PM
fab-u-lous
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
 01/10/2009 12:45:36 PM
Very nice barry, fabulous pp, just a very well done shot, nailed composition as well, very nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro M.Zuiko Digital ED
 01/08/2009 12:03:43 PM
Hey - Thanks for the comments everyone! I was pleasantly surprised by the score. :-)
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 01/08/2009 03:44:35 AM
this should have been top ten easily
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS
 01/08/2009 12:38:55 AM
Ah, this is beautiful; a bit underrated, if you ask me.... Nice work! The bird adds the perfect grace note.

Message edited by author 2009-01-08 00:39:32.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 01/07/2009 04:33:29 AM
good overall...wonder if this would have been punchier as a black and white???
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS
 01/06/2009 12:33:26 PM
Good sky and composition but feels over processed
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2009 08:30:07 PM
Great photograph. Wonderful atmosphere.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7200
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
 01/05/2009 07:56:44 PM
I really like this shot. I don't really care for border but that didn't affect my voting. Nice job. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-50D
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 01/05/2009 01:01:10 PM
Beautiful, expecially love the stormy skies.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon
 01/04/2009 07:52:06 AM
Dramatic. Like the high contrast. That lone bird is great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 01/03/2009 03:21:44 PM
A really nice photo. Among my favorites for this challenge. Dramatic sky juxtaposed with the simple, bare, lone tree is pleasing. Catching the bird in flight was a bonus. Not so much a fan of the letter box framing, but it doesn't hurt you here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 01/03/2009 12:43:44 PM
tree is really pretty, bird adds to the photo overall wow picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 01/02/2009 04:11:11 PM
The bird is a delightful treat - and hence your title, I'm assuming. Harsh, but quiet.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 01/01/2009 11:41:17 AM
Textbook perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro for Canon
 01/01/2009 08:59:57 AM
This is outstanding. Loving the single bird to create the invisible diagonal line from the tree. Funny how so many of us did the line frame this time. :~) 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D300
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
 01/01/2009 12:31:36 AM
love the starkness here...little noise in the clouds though...7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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