Trying to get it right with backlighting

[Donald]

I love backlighting, but trying to get it right can be an interesting challenge (meaning - it can be damned frustrating!).

The opportunities for backlit images in the early morning in Yosemite were countless. There were a lot of failures. You may, of course, think this is also a failure. Views, opinions and comments are always welcomed.

Backlit trees and a lazy Merced River

[Geoff F]

There isn't too much black and the dark areas still have some texture, particularly noticeable in the Lightbox view, so this works well for me.

[Shadowman]

Great looking illusions.

[Mike Buckley]

There's no question in my mind that finding a suitable back lit scene in nature is much easier done when isolating a very small area such as just a few leaves. So, I understand that trying to find a suitable scene such as this one and photographing it just right can lead to lots of frustration. This works well for me and I just love the hint of the trees in the background on the right side.

[mknittle]

If that is a failure I wish my failures looked that good!

[rpcrowe]

Lovely image. At first I thought that it might have been Infrared because of the bright leaves...

[NorthernFocus]

Donald, I can understand your frustration trying to capture backlit leaves in B/W. IMO the real attraction of the technique on leaves is the super saturated colors that are naturally produced. For that reason IMO it is a travesty to make such a capture in B/W. However, this is a lovely image made so by the glassy water, the log, and the reflections. One advantage I will acknowledge of the monochrome is that it is up to the viewer to imagine the scene in either summer greens or beautiful fall colors. So good on you for doing so well with it. But it's a shame to waste all that lovely color

[Mike Buckley]

One advantage I will acknowledge of the monochrome is that it is up to the viewer to imagine the scene in either summer greens or beautiful fall colors.

Interesting comment! I have never viewed a monochrome image and imagined or wondered what the scene looked like in color.

[Donald]

.... For that reason IMO it is a travesty to make such a capture in B/W. ... it's a shame to waste all that lovely color

I know, Dan, that you do question my decisions to make B & W images of scenes that you know would make great colour pictures. I know also that this indeed was a very colourful scene. The RAW file (which contains the colour information) shows that it would indeed make a very lovely colour image. But it would be a very different picture.

I think that when we make our decisions about how we want a final image to be, there are different considerations that we take into account. Do, for example, we want to make a beautifully coloured image in which colour is a main feature? Or do we want to emphasise light, tone and texture? Now, some may suggest that you can do both. I am not so sure.

In my case and the case of this image, the removal of the glorious colour makes us, I believe, look at the light, tones and texture. That is all the image is. It's not colourful.

So, whilst you say it's a shame to waste all that lovely color, I think it's also legitimate to say that if it was in colour it would be a shame to lose all that lovely light, tone and texture.

I think the important thing is that every time we look through the viewfinder and prepare to press the shutter, that we ask ourselves why we are taking this photograph and what is it we want the final image to be about.

[NorthernFocus]

...I think that when we make our decisions about how we want a final image to be, there are different considerations that we take into account. Do, for example, we want to make a beautifully coloured image in which colour is a main feature? Or do we want to emphasise light, tone and texture? Now, some may suggest that you can do both. I am not so sure.
...

So, whilst you say it's a shame to waste all that lovely color, I think it's also legitimate to say that if it was in colour it would be a shame to lose all that lovely light, tone and texture.

I think the important thing is that every time we look through the viewfinder and prepare to press the shutter, that we ask ourselves why we are taking this photograph and what is it we want the final image to be about.

I see your point, Donald. And I totally agree that in this case, no doubt, ,the color would have dominated the image. So I understand your choice, albeit a different preference than my own. However, I do not agree that color vs light/tone/texture is an either or decision in every case. Particularly regarding the light/tone aspect. Most definitely monochrome helps focus attention on texture. But color is simply spectral light after all. But you've definitely given me something to consider. I'll have to pull up a few of my photos that I shot specifically due to the lighting conditions and see how they translate to B/W.

Now look what you've done. Making me think again. Maybe that's why I prefer shooting wildlife. No time to think about it

[madcrow]

I will leave the the technical stuff to those who know, to me, its a fabulous image.

[Wavelength]

Excellent shot

[KimC]

I love this Donald -- for the wonderful texture (the smooth water, the lovely grass, and the way the light brings out the texture in the leaves), and the Monet like reflection on the water.

[Donald]

Thank for the additional comments.

I love this Donald -- for the wonderful texture (the smooth water, the lovely grass, and the way the light brings out the texture in the leaves), and the Monet like reflection on the water.

This was one that I had, initially, put into the 'Not Good Enough' folder. But as with a few others when I went back through them again and again, I saw how I could make the image that I had originally envisaged. Conversely, some of the RAW files that I had initially assigned to the 'Wow' folder have been demoted.

I think I have now arrived at the final selection of those that I will be processing. A selection of those will form my final collection of images from this trip that I made.

[mugge]

Donald. there are no beautiful colours in this image but a great scene.
Cheers Ole

[MrB]

Donald, it seems almost impertinent for a novice to challenge the masters here, but there is one feature of the image that concerns me - my eyes are always being drawn to the bright triangle of river bank on the left. Perhaps that is the intention but, for me, the image is better when that is toned down - a bit of juggling of brightness and contrast appears to reveal more texture there, while at the same time reducing the glare and the distraction that area causes me.

Cheers.
Philip

[Donald]

... my eyes are always being drawn to the bright triangle of river bank on the left.

Thank you for that. That bothered me too. It is already toned down quite a bit from the original, but am very happy to hear that it might still not be enough.