Hazy Mornings
Another from my back catalog, this photo was taken in late July on a particularly hazy day. Deviating from my more traditional stomping ground of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this was actually taken in the Heart of the Great Smokey Mountains headed between NC, and TN. Also, once again this is a photo I struggled to edit properly on the day. Not because it was particularly difficult, but because I initially discounted it due to the foreground here. The tree in the center of the photo bothered me, so I walked away from the photo. Upon returning to it, I just dove in and started tweaking a little at a time until I ended here. Dense colorful haze, deep lush greens, and a odd haloing between the two.
I’ve spoken several times on the idea of editing, and how to begin the process. It’s so easy to over bake an image, and there can be an argument that this image here is an example of overbaking. Perhaps, the foreground has that quality to it in some ways, but the fact is, I like it. So, while I doubt this photo wins an award, I wouldn’t mind to hang this on my wall and gaze off into the wonderland that is my vision of the mountains. At the end of the day, we as photographers are sharing our vision with the world, and we should be allowed to push the boundaries as much as any other artist when we feel the desire to do so.
Should you consistently overbake your image and claim its artistic vision? I don’t think so, instead start with the simple edits. Get your light levels correct, then get your big edit out of the way, what’s going to change your photo the most. After that, step away for a little while and come back to it in an hour, a day, even a week. Then begin making small tweaks, and keep a original copy of the photo around just so you can compare the changes when you need to. After that if you’re feeling like pushing it a little further do so, but do it incrementally, because while I support your ability to share your artistic vision, its important to get there over time, not all at once. See how the colors evolve, and make sure it all works together in the end,
Until Next Time!
Aperture: f11
ISO: 640
SS: 1/4th
Focal: 59mm
Fujinon 50-140mm
