Texas Hill Country in Winter

redleash

I've been out shooting twice this week--and what a difference in the weather! Beautiful one day and foggy, rainy the next. Here are just a few for your perusal. C&C welcomed.

Thanks,
Lauren

1. 3 exposure HDR - don't like the sky, I think it was my polarizer filter in the wrong position


2. 3 exposure HDR - good clouds but color is still off


3. Two exposures processed in ACR, blended in PS, curves to gravel and barn, with Topaz Adjust effect - I think it could use a bit more sat although it is accurate to the scene


4. Rainy day on the Guadalupe River at Edge Falls crossing - ACR gradient, sharpening in PS

R.Jay

Hi Lauren, I like the first three - certainly not overdone.

Cheers, Richard.

rwells

Hey Lauren,

I really like the first shot

Great comp, HDR and colors.

redleash

Thanks, Richard and Randy. Any thoughts on #4?

black mamba

Hi Lauren,,

I like all these shots. #4 may not be as subject driven as the others, but, for someone who loves the hill country, it's a very nice shot of a typical scene. I think you've done really well with this series. I'm sure reminded of why I love that part of the country so much.

Take care,

Tom

Dogdots

Beautiful work Lauren

Snowgirl

Hi Lauren. I really like #1 & #2 a lot, and #4. #3 bothers me a bit and at first I couldn't figure out why. When I took a long look at it, the perspective on the building makes it look like it's about to tip forward. Is it really leaning? Or is it something about the angle from which you took the shot?

I like the stone wall leading you to the building - it's just that angle 'feels' weird to me.

Snowgirl

Oh - and it's been in the -teensC here for the past two weeks and I'm becoming a wimp in my old age so I haven't been out crawling in the snow to take pics - although it's TIME to get out there soon!

Schnauzer

Nice work Lauren.

The first two are my favorites.

The HDR looks fine to me. Not overdone at all.

redleash

Thanks for the comments. Yes, the perspective in #3 is off--not just the building but the tree too! It was shot with my Sigma 10-20. I was trying to get really close to the fence and bring it into the foreground but that skewed everything. If someone can tell me how to fix it in PS I will try it. This place is not too far away so I can easily go re-shoot.

For those of you who live in more scenic locales, shot #4 really doesn't appeal too much. I just liked the lines I achieved with the river's curve, as well as the fact that I actually found a river to shoot!! With so much drought for so long here, it's hard to find live water. Most of the named creeks I drive over are nothing but dust!

Lauren

redleash

Revised #3
Here is a revised version of #3--don't know why I didn't do this the first time. I straightened and cropped it so the tree and barn no longer lean--didn't lose as much of the fence as I expected. I put a new Topaz Adjust layer on top and erased to soften the gravel and rock fence in some sections. Erased a bit of overdone sky. Left my previous curves adjustments and voila!

I am much happier with this one but would like to receive any suggestions for further improvement.

Thanks,
Lauren

#3 reworked